UTEP Plays at No. 19 Michigan in First-Ever Meeting Saturday Afternoon on the Big Ten Network

9/17/2026 4:33:00 PM

NOTES: UTEP | MICHIGAN | MOUNTAIN WEST

EL PASO – UTEP, coming off a 51-point output, heads north to face Big Ten's No. 19-ranked Michigan for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Miners (1-1) and Wolverines (2-0) are slated for a 1:30 p.m. MDT/3:30 ET kickoff in Ann Arbor at Michigan Stadium (107,601). The contest will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

The action returns to the "Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso, as fans can tune in and listen to "The Voice of the UTEP Miners," Jon Teicher, returning for his 46th season calling the action for the Orange and Blue. Former UTEP football coach Aaron Price joins "Teich" in the booth, while Mando Medina will roam the sidelines.

The Miners evened their record to 1-1 after a 51-10 dismantling of Texas Southern on Sept. 12 in Sun Bowl Stadium. EJ Colson Jr., in his first start in the 915, wasted little time as he completed a career-long 83-yard bomb to Kam Thomas on UTEP's first play from scrimmage. For Thomas, it was a career-long catch and first touchdown in the Sun Bowl. Colson Jr. finished the night 14-of-21 for 239 yards and a career-high four touchdown passes. He added 49 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It was also Colson Jr.'s career-high in total touchdowns responsible for (five). The Cheeks brothers added more highlights by scoring their first touchdowns in UTEP uniforms as Cash and Carver each registered 13-yard scoring receptions. Cash was credited with two touchdown catches after he recovered a Jeremiah Nash fumble that went into the end zone. For Cash, it was also his first touchdown in his collegiate career. Backup quarterback Raymond Moore III capped the scoring with a 79-yard touchdown dash.

UTEP's 51 points were the most in a game since the last game of 2016, while it was the most in the Sun Bowl against a nonconference opponent since 2007. The Miners' 44 unanswered points were the most since 2007. The "Blue Blaze" offense racked up 491 yards of total offense, the most since 2022. The rushing attack gained 252 yards, the most since 2022, and three touchdowns, the most in the Sun Bowl since 2023.

The "Orange Swarm" defense yielded 211 yards, the least since 2022. Esteban Guillory picked off his first pass as a Miner that led to UTEP's go-ahead touchdown on Colson Jr.'s three-yard scamper late in the second quarter.

Through two games, UTEP ranks 16^th in FBS in fewest penalties per game (4.0). Its 40.5 penalty yards per game is second in the Mountain West.

No. 19 Michigan improved to 2-0 following a 17-10 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma in the "Big House" on Sept. 12. The Wolverines jumped out to a 10-0 advantage following a Bryce Underwood 38-yard touchdown run late in the first and Trey Butkowski's 40-yard field goal just before the half. OU tied the game after John Mateer's 22-yard TD pass to Mackenzie Alleyne and Tate Sandell's 34-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Jordan Marshall's one-yard touchdown rush and Butkowski's PAT gave U-M the go-ahead 17-10 lead with 7:53 left in the contest.

The Wolverines have allowed one touchdown through two games in 2026. U-M ranks 18^th in FBS scoring defense (11.0 ppg) and 30^th in total defense (255.0).

"[The Michigan defense] is special. They're the real deal. And I say that because at every level of their defense, they've got a guy," third-year UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said. "They got Dom Nichols on that defensive line. Hey, you've got Troy Bowles at Mike linebacker. To me, their secondary is as good as anybody's with Jyaire Hill and Chris Bracy. Bracy's trying to put someone in the hospital every single play. Hill is maybe the best corner I've seen man-to-man, in my time coaching. These guys, and they play with their hair on fire. [Michigan defensive coordinator] Jay Hill, you know, when I was the head coach at Austin Peay State University, he was the head coach at Weber State. He and I have connected through a mutual friend over the years and picked each other's brains as head coaches a few years ago, and I have a ton of respect for him and what he does. He's a heck of a coach, and he's got those guys playing at an extremely high level. They're long, and they're athletic; the difference to me between them and OU is I see a little more twitch in this defense."

UTEP (1-1) at #19 Michigan (2-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Time: 1:30 p.m. MDT/3:30 ET
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Venue: Michigan Stadium (107,601)
X Updated: @UTEPFB

TV: BTN
PxP: Jeff Levering
Analyst: Jake Butt
Sideline: Brooke Fletcher

Radio: 600 ESPN El Paso
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina

WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Wolverines will be televised on the Big Ten Network. The action returns to the "Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN AM El Paso, with "The Voice of the UTEP Miners" Jon Teicher, calling play-by-play in his 46th season. 'Teich', who called his 500^th game on Oct. 11, 2023, at FIU, is joined in the booth by former UTEP assistant coach Aaron Price for analysis. El Paso native and longtime member of the local media, Mando Medina, will report from the sidelines. The contest can also be heard on the UTEP Miners app.

SERIES VS. MICHIGAN
Saturday's contest will mark the first ever matchup between UTEP and Michigan.

ABOUT MICHIGAN
The No. 19-ranked Wolverines enter week three with an unbeaten record (2-0). Michigan opened the season with a narrow 13-12 victory over Western Michigan before following it with a statement 17-10 win over No. 11 Oklahoma in Ann Arbor. Under first-year head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Wolverines have established a familiar identity: physical, defensive-minded, and difficult to score against. Through two games, Michigan has allowed just 22 total points and is surrendering only 11.0 points per game. QB Bryce Underwood has thrown for 281 yards on 21-of-39 passing. His lone TD pass was the one that beat Western Michigan in week one. RB Jordan Marshall (22 carries, 76 yards, TD) remains the focal point of the ground attack, while transfer wide receiver JJ Buchanan (eight rec., 174 yards [21.8 avg.], TD) has emerged as one of Underwood's top targets early in the season. Defensively, Michigan continues to look like one of the better units in the Big Ten. The Wolverines forced a key late turnover against Oklahoma and consistently controlled the line of scrimmage. Veterans such as Jyaire Hill, Rod Moore, and a deep front seven have helped Michigan win despite offensive inconsistencies.

UTEP VS. BIG TEN
UTEP is 0-4 versus Big Ten opponents. The Miners last faced a Big Ten squad on Aug. 31, falling 40-7 at Nebraska. UTEP faced Northwestern on Sept. 9, 2023, losing 38-7. The Miners were also bested at Wisconsin 37-26 on Sept. 22, 2012, and lost at Iowa 69-7 on Sept. 27, 1986. The Miners are slated to challenge Nebraska again in 2028.

UTEP'S SECOND-EVER GAME VS. A MICHIGAN SCHOOL
UTEP hosted Northern Michigan on Aug. 30, 1986. The Miners won the contest 64-29 to open the Bob Stull era. QB Sammy Garza threw a school-record seven TD passes against the Wildcats.

MICHIGAN CONNECTIONS
Bandit Sterling Miles, a native of West Bloomfield, Mich., played at Eastern Michigan before transferring to UTEP. WR Jaylon Brown played at Michigan State in 2024.

DISCIPLINED FOOTBALL
UTEP ranks tied for first in the Mountain West and is tied for 16^th in FBS in fewest penalties (eight) through two games. The Miners average only 40.5 penalty yards per game (second in MW).

RUSHING ATTACK
UTEP rushed for 252 yards, the most in the Scotty Walden era, and most since Sept. 2, 2023 (329 vs. UIW).

MOST RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS AT HOME IN 3 YEARS
The Miners rushed for three touchdowns, the most in the Scotty Walden era in the Sun Bowl, and most at home since Nov. 25, 2023. It's the second time overall the Miners have rushed for three scores in the Walden era after scoring three at Sam Houston in 2025.

MOST YARDS IN FOUR SEASONS
UTEP gained 491 total yards against Texas Southern were the most since Nov. 26, 2022 (498 at UTSA) and most in the Sun Bowl since Nov. 19, 2022 (525 vs. FIU).

MOST POINTS IN 10 SEASONS
UTEP's 51 points against Texas Southern were the most since Nov. 26, 2016, when the Miners defeated North Texas 52-24.

MOST POINTS VERSUS NONCONFERENCE OPPONENT SINCE 2007
The Miners erupted for 51 points, their most in a home nonconference game since tallying 52 against Texas Southern on Sept. 22, 2007.

MORE NOTES ON 50
Saturday marked the 33^rd time the Miners scored 50+ points in a game. UTEP has scored 50+ points 22 times in the modern era (1965-present). UTEP is 33-0 in all those games.

MARGIN OF VICTORY
The Miners' 41-point margin of victory was their largest since a 58-13 dismantling of UCF in the Sun Bowl on Sept. 27, 2008.

REBOUNDING WITH 50 AFTER ALLOWING 50
For the first time in 11 years and the fourth occasion in program history, UTEP scored 50+ points after yielding 50+ points the previous week. It also occurred in 2015 (L, 69-20, at Texas Tech, 9/12; W, 50-47 vs. NM State, 9/19), in 2009 (L, 64-7, at No. 2 Texas, 9/26; W, 58-41, vs. No. 12 Houston, 10/3), in 1988 (L, 51-6, at No. 10 Wyoming, 11/5; W, 58-7, vs. San Diego State, 11/12).

MOST UNANSWERED POINTS SINCE 2005
After being down 10-7, UTEP went on to score 44 unanswered points. It was the most since the Miners shut out Texas Southern 45-0 on Nov. 12, 2005.

GOOSE EGGS IN THE SECOND HALF
After falling behind 10-7, UTEP scored 44 unanswered points, while allowing zero points in the second half. The Miners last pitched a second-half shutout on Sept. 2, 2023 (vs. UIW).

LEAST YARDS ALLOWED IN FOUR YEARS
UTEP allowed 211 yards against TSU, its least in the Scotty Walden era and least yielded since Nov. 19, 2022 (71 vs. FIU).

TRAFFIC CONTROL
The Miners' defense allowed 99 yards passing, their least allowed since Nov. 25, 2023 (28 by No. 22 Liberty). UTEP has allowed 165.0 passing yards per game, ranking 42^nd in FBS and fourth in MW.

CAREER NIGHT FOR EJ
QB EJ Colson Jr. entertained the Miner Faithful in his first Sun Bowl start. Colson Jr. didn't waste any time, completing a career-long 83-yard touchdown pass to MB Kam Thomas on UTEP's first play from scrimmage against Texas Southern on Saturday night. Colson Jr. set career bests in TD passes (four) and TDs responsible for (five).

EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
EJ Colson Jr. was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention list, Player of the Week, Week 2, following his performance on Sept. 12 against Texas Southern. Colson Jr. opened the action 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.

BEEN A WHILE
EJ 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.

EJ CAN RUN
EJ Colson Jr. rushed for a UTEP career-high 49 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown. At UIW last season, Colson Jr. ran for 287 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

MORE FROM MOORE III
Backup QB Raymond Moore III saw more playing time on Saturday night and dashed 79 yards for a touchdown run, the first of his UTEP career. Moore III ranked second on the team with 93 yards on three attempts against Texas Southern. Moore III also leads the Miners with 142 rushing yards on 12 attempts (11.8 avg.). Moore III rushed for 49 yards, including a run of 51 yards in his UTEP debut at No. 10 OU.

MORE ON MOORE III'S RUN
Raymond Moore III registered the longest run (79 yards) by a UTEP quarterback since 1954 (Jesse Whittenton, 83 yards vs. Arizona, 11/13) and the third-longest in school history. Ken Heineman holds the school standard for the longest by a Miner signal caller when he broke one for 85 yards against Arizona in 1939 (11/11).

HOMERUN HITTER
MB Kam Thomas made another big play in his UTEP career after he hauled in a career-long 83-yard touchdown catch in the Miners' first play from scrimmage against TSU. His previous long catch was 69 yards at NM State in 2024. Overall, Thomas has tallied a 93-yard punt return for a TD against the Aggies in '24, while also hauling in a 65-yarder against Southern Utah.

CASHING IN
TE Cash Cheeks scored his first touchdowns in his college career on Saturday night. Cheek's first-ever score came on a 13-yard catch late in the second quarter. His second touchdown came via a fumble recovery after WR Jeremiah Nashhauled in a 29-yard reception before fumbling it in the end zone.

CARVING THE D
WR Carver Cheeks also scored the first touchdown of his UTEP career against the Tigers. Like brother Cash, Carver's came on a 13-yard reception. Carver ended the night with 39 yards on three receptions.

RUNNING WILD
RB Tavorus Jones made his first start in front of his hometown faithful as the Burges High School graduate rushed for a career-high 104 yards on 16 attempts (6.5 avg.). Jones added a career-long 33-yard dash to paydirt. For Jones, it was his second collegiate touchdown after scoring one while playing at Missouri in 2025. Jones ranks second on the team with 128 yards on 21 carries (6.1 avg.).

FIRST PICK AS A MINER
S Esteban Guillory intercepted his first pass in a UTEP uniform while it was the first INT recorded by the "Orange Swarm" defense in 2026. Guillory's forced turnover couldn't have come at a better time as the Miners were down 10-7 and capitalized with a touchdown to take the go-ahead lead against the Tigers. It was Guillory's second career INT after coming up with one at Western Illinois in 2025. Guillory has recorded six tackles, a TFL and INT in two starts.

FIRST START
LB Shay Smith made his first career start against Texas Southern, tallying three tackles and a fumble recovery. Smith made his first appearance at linebacker at No. 10 OU, after playing quarterback his first two years with the Orange and Blue. Smith has recorded seven tackles (two solo), half a TFL, a QB hurry and a fumble recovery.

HUTCHINSON COMING ON STRONG
DB Adarius Hutchinson, a true freshman from Bellville, Texas, tallied a career-high five tackles and his first collegiate tackle for loss (1.5). Hutchinson has recorded seven tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

MOST IN A UTEP UNIFORM
LB Garrett Hawkins tallied six tackles against TSU, the most in his UTEP career. His most is nine tackles while playing at Austin Peay in 2023. Overall in 2026, Hawkins has eight tackles, 0.5 TFL and a pass breakup.

FIRST SACKS
Bandit Sterling Miles registered his first sack as a Miner on Saturday night. He also recorded a sack while playing at Eastern Michigan. DL Leander Parrish and Bandit Royce Wilson each shared a sack, the first of their collegiate careers.

ORANGE SWARM SACK ATTACK
UTEP recorded two sacks against Texas Southern. The Miners have three so far in 2026 and 67 sacks during the Scotty Walden era.

CAREER HIGH POINTS FOR CARLOS
K Carlos Arreola scored a career-high nine points against Texas Southern. Arreola connected on six PATs and a 35-yard field goal against the Tigers.

JERSEY PATCHES - GECU & IBEW
UTEP is the first school in the Mountain West with two jersey patches for football. On Aug. 17, UTEP Vice President and Director of Athletics Jim Senter announced GECU as UTEP's inaugural jersey-patch partner. On Aug. 31, Senter announced The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) as the second jersey patch partner.

MW+ INFORMATION
MW+ will be the exclusive streaming platform for live events across all 21 Mountain West sponsored sports not distributed on national linear television. Miner Nation can watch all its teams all season long, including matchups you won't find anywhere else. Exclusive access will be available with mic'd-up moments, behind-the-scenes, and original content. It'll be the one destination for everything Mountain West.
SIGN UP AT: https://watch.themw.com/utep/

UP NEXT
UTEP hosts Oregon State on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the 94^th Homecoming Game. The Miners and Beavers are set for a 7 p.m. MDT kickoff. The contest will be streamed on MW+ and can be heard on the "Home of UTEP Football" 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners app.

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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