Miner Fans Entertained, Call Plays at High-Scoring UTEP Football Spring Game Saturday

4/19/2026 11:31:00 AM

EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP football team wrapped up the third Spring Game under head coach Scotty Walden in front of over 500 fans on a breezy and sunny Saturday afternoon at Sun Bowl Stadium.

Miner Nation witnessed fast, physical play and was amused by the halftime festivities, which included competitions among UTEP Athletics' administration. Walden picked random staffers to compete in punt, pass and throw competitions, and field punts, while the media competed against each other in a 40-yard dash, for which points were awarded to either the Blue Blaze offense or Orange Swarm defense.

Fan engagement was on hand, as Walden went into the stands to have fans call plays during the game. After all the multiple ways to score points, the final score was 97-87 in favor of the Orange Swarm.

"We wanted to get some work in today and play some football, but we also wanted to celebrate the community and celebrate a united El Paso front," Walden said. "We need that going into the Mountain West is a united El Paso front, a united UTEP. There are so many reasons to be negative and look at the things we don't have. Let's look at the things we do have. It's not what can go wrong but what can go right. For the fans who came out, we had over 100 recruits for junior day today. We had our signees come back, so it was just such a great day."

Derek Elmendorf (OL, 2013-2017), Kalaii Griffin (LB, 2018-2019), Will Hernandez (OL, 2013-2017), Josh Ortega (DE, 2016-2020) and Trevor Vittatoe (QB, 2007-2010) were a few of the former UTEP football players who attended the game.

Vittatoe, UTEP's most prolific quarterback, spoke to the team pregame, advising them on leaving a positive legacy in the program. Hernandez, who's currently with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, announced after the spring game that his taco/clothing brand, Mijo, will host the UTEP Football Youth Camp on June 20.

"Trevor Vittatoe spoke to the team this morning. Will Hernandez announced that we are going to do our camps in conjunction with Mijo this June," Walden said. "That was really important to me since I took the job, to get guys like Will back into the Sun Bowl for their camps to help them and further that united El Paso front. So, overall, it was a fantastic day."

On the field, a few UTEP transfer quarterbacks made plays with the Blue Blaze as Raymond Moore III hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Nik Henry on a 50+ yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and EJ Colson found Jeremiah Nash on a scoring pass in the red zone during the fourth quarter. On the Orange Swarm, transfer cornerback Decorian Thompson recorded an interception, and Shay Smith, who's made the switch to linebacker, was seen flying around.

"We have got a lot of new players and there is definitely some football-wise that I want to clean up," Walden added. "Overall, my take off the naked eye without watching the tape is we were really good at taking the football away on defense and we tackled well. I thought there was some really good physicality up front at times on the offensive line. Other than that, we'll clean it up."

JOIN THE 915 CAMPAIGN
UTEP Athletics has launched the "915 Campaign." Fans can support the UTEP Football Excellence Fund, which directly impacts the success of UTEP student-athletes. To join the "915 Campaign" and become a difference maker for UTEP Athletics, please click here.

Help support UTEP student-athletes by making a gift to the Miner Athletic Club. Visit https://am.ticketmaster.com/utep/donor-level/MTY%3D today!

For complete coverage of UTEP Football, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPFB (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Print Friendly Version