UTEP Miners

UTEP’s Colson Jr. Earns Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention for Week 2 Performance

9/15/2026 10:00:00 AM

TYLER, Texas – UTEP QB1 EJ Colson Jr. was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention list, Player of the Week, Week 2, on Tuesday following his performance on Sept. 12 against Texas Southern.

Colson Jr. completed 14-of-21 passes for 239 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes to go along with 49 yards on the ground and a rushing score. Colson Jr. was also responsible for a career-best five touchdowns. Colson Jr.'s efforts helped lead the Miners to a 51-10 victory in the Sun Bowl.

On the Miners' first play from scrimmage, Colson Jr. wasted little time with a career-long 83-yard touchdown pass to MB Kam Thomas to give UTEP an early 7-0 lead. Down 10-7, Colson Jr.'s three-yard touchdown rush gave UTEP the go-ahead 14-10 advantage. Colson Jr. extended the lead to 21-10 following a 13-yard TD strike to TE Cash Cheeks just before halftime. Colson Jr. led the Miners to paydirt with another TD pass that was credited to Cash Cheeks, giving UTEP a 28-10 lead. Colson Jr. extended the lead to 35-10 after finding WR Carver Cheeks on a 13-yard scoring pass, his fourth of the game.

Colson Jr.'s five touchdowns responsible for were the most by a UTEP quarterback since Jameill Showers accounted for six touchdowns (five pass, one rush) at Colorado State on Sept. 28, 2013. Colson Jr. is the first UTEP QB since Trevor Vittatoe (five TD passes) on Sept. 18, 2010, to account for five touchdowns in the Sun Bowl.

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.

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