UTEP Football Officially Releases 2021 Fall Football Schedule
The 2021 UTEP football schedule has been finalized and was first revealed on Wednesday, featuring six home games.
The six home games include non-conference matchups against Bethune-Cookman and New Mexico, and conference games against Old Dominion, Louisiana Tech, UTSA and Rice. The Miners have Boise State and NM State on the road to wrap up their non-conference slate.
“We are excited at the prospect of playing a complete 12-game schedule for the 2021 season after a tumultuous 2020 campaign,” head coach Dana Dimel said in a release. “We have a fantastic home schedule this fall and we can’t wait to get to work preparing for the 2021 season. We are excited to renew rivalries with two teams this program is very familiar with in Boise State and New Mexico, a couple of former WAC opponents. It’s also nice to have eight games scheduled in the state of Texas or New Mexico that our fans will have the opportunity to see.”
Non-conference outlook — The Miners will kick off the season against their rivals in NM State (Aug. 28) in Las Cruces, N.M. The two teams didn't meet in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bethune-Cookman of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (FCS) will be UTEP's first home game on Sept. 4. The Miners will square off with a familiar foe out of the WAC in Boise State (Sept. 18). This will be a home-and-home series between the two schools. Lastly, the Miners will host New Mexico (Sept. 25) in their final non-conference game. The two programs haven't played each other since 2014, when the Miners defeated the Lobos 31-24.
C-USA first look — UTEP will get a chance to play some teams in C-USA that they haven't faced in years from the East Division, including a home game against Old Dominion (Oct. 2) and a road contest versus Florida Atlantic (Oct. 30). It's been over five years since the Miners have faced either school. UTEP will have road games against Southern Miss (Oct. 9), North Texas (Nov. 13), Rice (Nov. 20) and UAB (Nov. 27). They will host LA Tech (Oct. 16), UTSA (Nov. 6) and Rice (Nov. 20).
2021 UTEP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at NM State
Sept. 4 Bethune-Cookman
Sept. 11 at Boise State
Sept. 18 BYE
Sept. 25 New Mexico
Oct. 2 Old Dominion*
Oct. 9 at Southern Miss*
Oct. 16 Louisiana Tech*
Oct. 23 BYE
Oct. 30 at Florida Atlantic*
Nov. 6 UTSA*
Nov. 13 at North Texas*
Nov. 20 Rice*
Nov. 27 at UAB*
Home games in BOLD
*Conference USA game