September 22, 2026
UTEP football is coming home.
The Miners return to the Sun Bowl on Saturday for their 94th Homecoming Game, hosting Oregon State in the final nonconference matchup of the season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain Time at Sun Bowl Stadium, with the game streaming on MW+. The matchup will be the first meeting between UTEP and Oregon State.
A Return to the Sun Bowl
There is a lot that makes this game different from UTEP’s first three.
The Miners have already traveled to Oklahoma and Michigan, facing two nationally prominent programs in difficult road environments. UTEP also produced a 51 to 10 victory over Texas Southern in its only home game so far.
Now the Miners return to El Paso for the second time this season, with Homecoming providing an opportunity to play in front of a familiar crowd.
Oregon State will be the final nonconference opponent before UTEP begins Mountain West play at New Mexico on October 3.
That makes Saturday an important opportunity to make adjustments before conference play begins.
The EJ Colson Jr. Era Continues
One of the biggest storylines entering the game will be quarterback EJ Colson Jr.
Colson has shown flashes of big play ability through the opening portion of the season. Against Texas Southern, he completed 14 of 21 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns while adding 49 rushing yards and another score.
His first touchdown in that game came on an 83 yard connection with Kam Thomas on UTEP’s opening play from scrimmage.
Colson enters this week having completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 377 yards, six touchdowns and one interception.
The Oregon State defense will present another test after Colson faced Oklahoma and Michigan to begin his season.
Tavorus Jones Emerging in the Backfield
UTEP’s rushing attack has also developed into an important storyline.
Running back Tavorus Jones has carried the ball 30 times for 162 yards this season.
Jones rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown against Texas Southern, giving the Miners a consistent option on the ground.
UTEP will need that production again Saturday.
A productive running game can help keep the offense balanced, extend drives and reduce the pressure on Colson to consistently create explosive plays through the air.
Oregon State Brings a New Era to El Paso
Oregon State enters Saturday under first year head coach JaMarcus Shephard.
The Beavers are 1 and 2 entering the matchup.
Oregon State opened the season at Houston before returning home for its matchup with Texas Tech. The Beavers most recently fell to Texas Tech 35 to 24 on September 12.
Now Oregon State travels to El Paso for its first meeting with UTEP.
The Beavers have spent this week preparing for the atmosphere at the Sun Bowl and the challenge of closing their September schedule on the road.
The Battle on Offense
Oregon State has several offensive players UTEP will need to account for.
The Beavers have shown the ability to create explosive plays, meaning UTEP’s defense will need to remain disciplined throughout the game.
For UTEP, the defensive objective will be straightforward.
Limit explosive plays.
Force Oregon State to sustain long drives.
Create pressure.
And find opportunities to take the football away.
After facing two Power Four opponents on the road, the Miners now have an opportunity to establish a different defensive rhythm at home.
Jayden Wilson and the UTEP Defense
The defense will be another major storyline.
Linebacker Jayden Wilson enters the game as one of the Miners’ leading defensive players. He recorded eight tackles for loss in 2025 and has 15 tackles through the first three games of this season.
Safety Xavier Smith has also been heavily involved, recording 21 tackles through the opening three games.
Those two will be important pieces as UTEP looks to slow down an Oregon State offense that has shown the ability to create explosive plays.
A Chance to Reset at Home
The first three weeks have taken UTEP across the country.
Oklahoma.
Texas Southern.
Michigan.
Now the Miners return to El Paso.
The 51 to 10 victory over Texas Southern showed what UTEP’s offense can look like when it establishes the run, protects the quarterback and creates explosive plays.
The games against Oklahoma and Michigan provided a different challenge, with UTEP facing nationally prominent opponents on the road.
Oregon State presents another opportunity to put those experiences together.
What to Watch Saturday
Can UTEP Establish the Run?
Tavorus Jones and the rest of the UTEP rushing attack will be important. If the Miners can consistently gain positive yardage, it could open up more opportunities for Colson.
Can UTEP Create Pressure?
The Miners have recorded three sacks through the opening three games and have totaled 67 sacks during Scotty Walden’s tenure.
Getting pressure without sacrificing coverage could be critical.
Which Team Wins the Turnover Battle?
UTEP forced two turnovers against Texas Southern and will need similar defensive disruption Saturday.
How Does UTEP Respond at Home?
This is the biggest immediate storyline.
After two difficult road games against Oklahoma and Michigan, UTEP gets another opportunity to play in front of Miner Nation.
Game Information
Oregon State at UTEP
Saturday, September 26
7 p.m. Mountain Time
Sun Bowl Stadium
El Paso, Texas
Streaming: MW+
Radio: 600 ESPN El Paso and the UTEP Miners app
Event: UTEP’s 94th Homecoming Game
Saturday is not just another game on the schedule.
It is UTEP’s final nonconference test before the Mountain West schedule begins.
It is Homecoming.
And it is the first time these two programs will meet.
For UTEP, the focus now shifts from the long road trips to the Sun Bowl. The Miners have another week to prepare, another opportunity to build on what they have learned through three games, and a chance to enter conference play with momentum.
Homecoming is coming to the Sun Bowl.
