UTEP Miners Gear Up For A Promising 2025 Football Season

Throughout the long, rich, history of UTEP football, fans have been thrilled to witness plenty of exciting moments. Since their inaugural 1914 season, heroes have come and gone, but the legends live forever. Miners football has also been a challenge for those who base their fandom on a team’s success. Win or lose, fans always have an opinion and something to say about the UTEP Miners.

Heading into the 2025 season, here’s what our 600 ESPN staff sees unfolding for the Miners final season in Conference USA before next year’s move to the Mountain West Conference.

Steve Kaplowitz

Year two of Scotty Walden has some promising storylines, including former #1 overall high school recruit Malachi Nelson, who is competing for the starting quarterback job. I think Nelson wins it, but I do not expect a magical debut for Malachi. UTEP still has questions on the offensive side of the ball and I do not expect the team to produce at the same level as their defense. Keep an eye on running back Ashten Emory, tight end Judah Ezinwa, linebacker Joshua Rudolph, and safety Tyler Jones. As for their overall record, we will learn a lot about the Miners after their first game in Logan against Utah State. I think 4-8 is the most realistic outcome, but if things break in their favor, six wins is a possibility.

Adrian Broaddus

The 2025 season for UTEP will still be a growing season in year two for Scotty Walden at the helm of the program. Despite the excitement over the offseason - warranted hype after signing a top recruiting class in Conference USA - the Miners will still need to develop 40 newcomers and find the right personnel to have success. I think five wins feels right for this group. If the Miners can win right around five games, it's two more wins than last year (3-9 ) and shows that the Miners are working toward building a winning program. However, fans will hope they can put together a .500 or better season after an exciting offseason and the Miner faithful might get chippy if they don't have more success in 2025. Careful what you wish for, UTEP fans. Immediate success could lead to an earlier-than-expected exit for a younger coach like Walden, who could hypothetically catapult out of El Paso and into a Power-4 coaching position if he wins fast at UTEP. Keep an eye out for a trio of true freshmen, who each have a chance to earn meaningful playing time, including corner TJ Tillman, safety Allen Gant and offensive lineman Tyler Roberts.

Sal Montes

I know UTEP fans have seen more rough seasons than good ones, but 2025 has reasons for optimism. The schedule is extremely soft, CUSA is weaker than ever, and it’s not as hard to improve from a three win season when you won two out of the last three games. Oh, and you play two of them again along with two new FBS members (Delaware and Mo State). If Malachi Nelson wins the QB job, which I think he will, it could be his redemption story. Kenny Odom and Kam Thomas should keep the offense moving. They showed last year why people should be excited. On defense, I believe Dylan Brown-Turner could have a huge breakout year. Special teams, or “Wefense” had some costly mistakes last year, so improvement there is key. I don’t know if much will change on that side of the ball but the season is only a couple of weeks away so we will find out soon enough. No one’s promising miracles, but if things click, seven wins isn’t out of the question—and that would be a welcome change in El Paso. Also, I said 7 wins on SportsTalk but I was seeing through orange and blue shades after doing so well with UTEP in the College Football 26 video game.

“UTEP” Zay

I believe UTEP will end with a 7-5 record. After finishing the last year with momentum, the Miners bring in newcomers like Malachi Nelson and Hahsaun Wilson to boost an offense that struggled last year. They have a favorable schedule and more than enough talent to achieve their first winning record since 2021.

Alberto

The 2024 UTEP football season ended 3-9, with the team losing 40 players plus both coordinators. Like last year, the Miners face a brutal opening stretch; they went 0-6 before their first win in 2024. They’ll travel to Utah State, and after going 1-6 on the road and struggling in the fourth quarter last year—scoring only 7 TDs and 1 FG on 34 possessions—I’m projecting a 4-8 finish. Breakout watch: RB Hahsaun Wilson, who led Charlotte with 559 yards and 7 TDs in 2024, could shine if his production translates to C-USA.

While the El Paso Chihuahuas play out their 2025 season, Miners football will be heard on KLAQ.

August 30 vs Utah State at Logan, 4:30 p.m.
September 6 vs UT Martin at Sun Bowl, 6:00 p.m.
September 13 vs Texas at Austin, 1:15 p.m.
September 20 vs Louisiana Monroe at Sun Bowl, 6:00 p.m.

As of the fifth game, the Miners move to their flagship station 600 ESPN.

September 27 vs Louisiana Tech* at Sun Bowl, 6:00 p.m.
October 8 (Wed) vs Liberty* at Sun Bowl, 5:00 p.m.
October 15 (Wed) vs Sam Houston* at Houston, 4:00 p.m.
October 28 (Tue) vs Kennesaw State* at Kennesaw, GA, 5:00 p.m.
November 8 vs Jacksonville State* at Sun Bowl, 12:00 p.m.
November 15 vs Missouri State* at Springfield, 12:00 p.m.
November 22 vs New Mexico State* at Sun Bowl, 12:00 p.m.
November 29 vs Delaware* at Newark, 10:00 a.m.

* Conference USA game

After every Miners broadcast, Jack In The Box presents Miner Talk, with Adrian Broaddus and Sal Montes will air on 600 ESPN.

GO MINERS!