Skip To Main Content

UTEP Miners

Skip To Navigation
at Michigan

UTEP Hosts Oregon State in the 94th Homecoming Game Saturday Night

9/24/2026 2:52:00 PM


NOTES: UTEP | OREGON STATE | MOUNTAIN WEST

EL PASO – UTEP returns to the Sun Bowl for the 94th Homecoming Game to host the nation's top passing offense, the Pac-12's Oregon State, on Sept. 26, sponsored by the El Paso Children's Hospital. The Miners (1-2) and Beavers (1-2) will kick off at 7 p.m. MDT. UTEP and Oregon State will meet for the first time Saturday night. 
 
Fans can tailgate in Paydirt Pete's Pregame Party Zone Presented by Bud Light, opening at 4 p.m. on Glory Field. Postgame will feature a dazzling drone show.
 
Tickets are available starting at $20 by visiting www.utepminers.com/tickets, calling 915.747.UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, or by visiting the Eisenberg Family Ticket Office (500 W. University Ave., 79968). 
 
"We have a huge task ahead of us, playing Oregon State. We're going to need to fill the Sun Bowl up. [Oregon State] is the number one passing offense in the country, and I challenge anybody coming to the game: bring a friend," third-year UTEP head coach Scotty Walden said. "We had 25,000 fans, which was the second most attended Mountain West game in our home opener; we're undefeated in the Sun Bowl, and we need [the fans] there. We need to have 30,000 for this game, rocking and going crazy in this game. I guarantee you our football team will play hard. This team will lay it on the line to defend the Sun Bowl with everything they've got. I'm proud to be a UTEP Miner, and I'm proud of our team. We need El Paso to show out; we need a phenomenal crowd. Our students made an impact the last game, and we need them there."
 
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 and Beavers will be streamed on MW+. 
 
The Miners are coming off a 52-17 loss to No. 19 Michigan on Sept. 19 in "The Big House." UTEP did, however, lead on two occasions. The first came on a 45-yard touchdown pass from EJ Colson Jr. to Carver Cheeks at the 6:51 mark of the first quarter for a 7-0 advantage. Colson Jr. notched his second touchdown pass, an 18-yard hookup with Lamar Sperling to take a 14-7 lead with 5:58 left in the first half. The Wolverines (3-0), however, scored the next 10 points to take a 17-14 lead going into the locker room. Michigan ultimately outscored UTEP 35-3 in the second half. Carlos Arreola connected on a 39-yard field goal to get the Miners on the board in the second half. Colson Jr. finished 7-of-9 with two TD passes and an interception. Xavier Smith tallied a career-high 11 tackles to lead the "Orange Swarm" defense, and Justin Content notched a season-high 10 tackles. "Trench Warrior" Elijah Fields continued his impressive play with his first sack and season-high 2.0 tackles for loss. Fields's forced fumble, recovered by Garrett Hawkins, helped set up the Miners' first score. The defense forced a second turnover, a forced fumble by Darnell Williams, recovered by Decorian Thompson, that paved the way for the second touchdown. 
 
The Beavers, who lead the nation in passing yards per game (385.7), chalked up their first win of 2026 by way of a 52-17 thrashing of Montana in Corvallis on Sept. 19. Braden Atkinson accounted for six touchdowns, including a rushing score. Atkinson finished 22-of-30 for 333 yards. Jesse Legree, a true freshman who leads the nation in yards per reception (28.0 avg.), tallied 100 yards on four receptions and a TD. Legree has recorded 476 receiving yards on 17 receptions and four touchdowns. Legree produced 240 yards on eight receptions and two scores against No. 13 Texas Tech. Oregon State averages 32.0 points per game and over 460 yards per contest. Atkinson is second in the nation with 1,120 yards (82-129, 63.6 percent) while accounting for 10 touchdowns (eight pass, two rush) and one interception. OS has rushed for 225 yards on 76 attempts. Aiden Sullivan leads the team with 25 tackles, while also tallying 2.0 TFL, a sack, two breakups and two hurries. Takari Hickle leads with 3.5 TFL and 2.0 sacks. 
 
"This is going to be a big-time test for us, and it's a big-time game," Walden said. "We're playing a Pac-12 opponent. They're big, they're long, and they're physical, and they throw the ball on just about every play. I think Coach [JaMarcus] Shepard has done a fantastic job instilling his culture. [Oregon State] plays extremely hard, and they're engaged in the process. You can tell their sideline is in it; they play extremely hard on defense and tackle well. We have a huge challenge in front of us."
 
UTEP (1-2) vs. Oregon State (1-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 7 p.m. MDT
Location: El Paso, Texas
Venue: Sun Bowl Stadium (45,971)
X Updated: @UTEPFB
 
STREAM: MW+
PxP: Andy Morgan
Analyst: Cole Freytag
 
Radio: 600 ESPN El Paso 
PxP: Jon Teicher
Analyst: Aaron Price
Sideline: Mando Medina
 
WHERE TO WATCH & LISTEN
The Miners and Beavers will be streamed on MW+ with Andy Morgan (play-by-play) and former UTEP WR Cole Freytag (analysis). 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 500th 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. OREGON STATE
Saturday's contest will mark the first-ever matchup between UTEP and Oregon State.
 
ABOUT OREGON STATE
The Beavers chalked up their first victory under head coach JaMarcus Shephard with a dominant 52-17 win over Montana. QB Braden Atkinson delivered a breakout performance, completing 22-of-30 passes for 333 yards and five touchdown passes while adding a rushing touchdown. The six total touchdowns tied an Oregon State single-game record. Freshman WR Jesse Legree added 100 yards on four catches (25.0 avg.) and a touchdown as the Beavers rolled to a 35-3 halftime lead. Oregon State's offense produced 50+ points and 500+ yards, snapping a five-game losing streak dating back to 2025. The Beavers lead FBS in passing yards per game (386.3). Atkinson is second in FBS with 1,122 yards passing and is tied for 15th with eight TD passes. Legree leads FBS with 476 yards and 28.0 yards per reception (17 catches). Legree is tied seventh in FBS with four TD receptions. Legree racked up 240 yards on eight receptions (30.0 avg.) and two TDs in a 35-24 loss against No. 13 Texas Tech. Oregon State started the season with a 33-20 setback at No. 23 Houston on Sept. 5. Legree hauled in five catches for 136 yards (27.2 avg.) and a TD. WR Aeryn Hampton is second on the squad in receptions (14), receiving yards (172), and has a touchdown catch. On offense, Oregon State averages 32.0 points per game and 460.7 yards per contest. 
 
UTEP IN HOMECOMING GAMES
UTEP is 41-51-1 in Homecoming Games. The Miners' last victory on Homecoming was against Kennesaw State in a 42-35 (2OT) victory on Nov. 9, 2024. UTEP is 2-8 in its last 10 Homecoming contests. 
 
SECOND TIME IN THE SUN BOWL 
The Oregon State Beavers will make their second appearance in four years in Sun Bowl Stadium after playing in the 2023 Sun Bowl against Notre Dame. 
 
LIMITING THOSE YELLOW FLAGS
UTEP ranks first in the Mountain West and is tied for 12th in FBS in fewest penalties per game (4.0), while ranking first in MW and 13th in FBS in fewest penalty yards per game (35.3). The Miners have been called for only 12 penalties through three games in 2026. 
 
EJ OFF TO A SOLID START
QB EJ Colson Jr. threw two more touchdown passes (45 yards to WR Carver Cheeks, 18 yards to RB Lamar Sperling) at No. 19 Michigan on 7-of-9 passing. Colson is 27-of-42 for 377 yards, six touchdowns and an interception. Colson Jr. ranks third in the MW in TD passes, while ranking seventh in total offense (143.7 yards per game). 
 
FIRST TOUCHDOWN AS A MINER
RB Lamar Sperling scored his first touchdown in a UTEP uniform on an 18-yard reception at No. 19 Michigan. It was his second career receiving touchdown after tallying one at Buffalo in 2024, and his fourth touchdown overall in his collegiate career (two rushing touchdowns at Buffalo). 
 
CARVER FINDS THE END ZONE AGAIN
WR Carver Cheeks scored on a season-long 45-yard touchdown on a third-and-1 play at No. 19 Michigan. It's Cheeks's second score of the season after hauling in a 13-yarder against Texas Southern on Sept. 12. For Cheeks, it's his 12th career touchdown (11 rec., one rush). Cheeks leads the team in receiving yards (97) and is tied for the team lead in receptions (six) and receiving scores (two). 
 
MINERS' LEADING RUSHER
RB Tavorus Jones leads the offense with 162 rushing yards on 30 attempts (5.4 avg.) and a touchdown. Jones hit the century mark in rushing for the first time in his collegiate career when he rushed for 104 yards on 16 carries (6.5 avg.) against TSU on Sept. 12. Jones ranks ninth in the Mountain West at 54.0 yards per game. 
 
SECOND LEADING RUSHER
Backup QB Raymond Moore III ranks second on the team with 160 yards on 18 attempts (8.9 avg.) in three games played. Moore III's highlight was a 79-yard dash to pay dirt against Texas Southern on Sept. 12. Moore III rushed for 93 yards against TSU, while adding 49 yards on the ground at No. 10 OU. 
 
CAREER-HIGH TACKLES FOR X
S Xavier Smith recorded a career-high 11 tackles at No. 19 Michigan. His previous high was 10 at Liberty in 2024. 
 
"ORANGE SWARM" LEADING TACKLER
Xavier Smith leads the "Orange Swarm" defense with 21 tackles. Smith ranks 14th, averaging 7.0 tackles per game in the Mountain West. The redshirt senior has tallied 159 career tackles (63 solo) in 25 games (23 starts). 
 
MINERS' SECOND LEADING TACKLER
LB Isaiah Bogerty, a transfer from Texas Southern, ranks second on the team with 15 tackles and is tied for 26th in the Mountain West in tackles per game (5.0). Bogerty is coming off a five-tackle effort at No. 19 Michigan and recorded a season-high six against his former squad, TSU. 
 
WILSON'S WAY
LB Jayden Wilson was credited with a season-high seven tackles at No. 19 Michigan. Wilson ranks third on the team with 15 tackles and is tied for 26th in the Mountain West. Wilson also has 1.5 tackles for loss (three yards). 
 
ELIJAH GETTING IT DONE ON THE FIELD
DT Elijah Fields recorded his first sack and forced fumble of the season, while adding a season-high 2.0 tackles for loss at No. 19 Michigan. Fields is tied 11th in the Mountain West with 2.5 TFL (five yards). Fields now has 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in his collegiate career (4.0 sacks, two FF). 
 
HUTCHINSON IMPRESSING AS A TRUE FRESHMAN
DB Adarius Hutchinson tallied a career-high six tackles at No. 19 Michigan in his first start of the season. His previous high was five against Texas Southern on Sept. 12. The true freshman has tallied 13 tackles and is ranked tied 40th in the MW, averaging 4.3 tackles per game in three games.
 
BALL HAWK
LB Garrett Hawkins ranks tied for fourth on the defense with 14 tackles after coming off a UTEP career-high six stops at No. 19 Michigan. Garrett ranks t-32nd in the Mountain West, averaging 4.7 tackles per game. Hawkins has added 0.5 TFL (two yards), one breakup and a fumble recovery. 
 
DARNELL'S BREAKOUT GAME
S Darnell Williams registered a career-high five tackles and a second career forced fumble at No. 19 Michigan. Williams has nine tackles in his second season at UTEP. As a true freshman in 2025, Williams played in seven games and recorded five tackles. 
 
DOUBLE-DIGIT STOPS FOR CONTENT
CB Justin Content posted a season-high 10 tackles at No. 19 Michigan. It's Content's second career double-digit tackle game. Content is tied fourth with 14 total tackles and is tied for 32nd in the Mountain West in tackles. The junior has tallied 76 career tackles in 24 games played (18 starts). 
 
SHAY IMPRESSING IN HIS FIRST SEASON ON D
LB Shay Smith, who played quarterback his first two years as a Miner, changed to the defensive side of the ball. Smith tallied four tackles and a 0.5 TFL at No. 19 Michigan. Smith is seventh on the defense with 11 tackles, 1.0 TFL, a quarterback hurry, and a fumble recovery. The third-year player recorded two rushing touchdowns, a two-point conversion, 20 yards on the ground, and 6-of-11 passing for 34 yards as a QB. 
 
DECORIAN'S BREAKOUT EFFORT
True freshman CB Decorian Thompson recorded a season-high three tackles and recovered his first career fumble at No. 19 Michigan. Thompson has tallied six tackles in three games played. 
 
ROYAL RETURNS
WR Royal Capell, who dons the No. 2 Laufenberg jersey, returned his first two kickoffs as a Miner, returning a pair for 39 yards, including a long of 23 yards at No. 19 Michigan. It's Capell's third career KO return after recording one at Oklahoma State in 2025. 
 
CARLOS CONNECTS
K Carlos Arreola hit a 39-yard field goal at No. 19 Michigan. It's his second of the season after making a 35-yarder against TSU. Arreola is 2-of-5 on the season and 5-of-11 for his career. 
 
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 heads up the road to Albuquerque to play in its first Mountain West contest at New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Miners and Lobos are set for a 2 p.m. MDT kickoff. It will mark the 81st showdown between the two programs. 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. 
 
Print Friendly Version