The UTEP Miners have reconvened at the Sun Bowl for the start of fall camp, marking the first official work toward the 2026 campaign. The team is exactly 30 days away from its season‑opening showdown, a road game at Oklahoma on September 4.
Head coach Scotty Walden, now in his third year at the helm, has been vocal about the program’s turnaround after a 2‑10 finish a season ago. His message to the roster is clear: the days of a tired start are over, and the focus is on building momentum from the first practice.
Walden’s staff has emphasized conditioning and scheme refinement, hoping to translate those gains into a more competitive opening matchup. The coaching staff believes a strong showing against the Sooners could set the tone for the entire schedule.
A pivotal season ahead
The schedule will be demanding, but the early games are seen as opportunities to fine‑tune strategies and establish chemistry. New recruits have arrived to complement the returning core, adding depth to the squad.
Fans in El Paso and across the university community are eager to see if the offseason work will finally produce the wins that eluded the team last year. University officials, including those at the University of Texas at El Paso, have thrown their support behind the initiative, citing the potential for a resurgence.
If the Miners can carry the intensity from fall camp into the regular season, the early loss record could become a distant memory. The countdown continues, and the team remains focused on executing the plan laid out on the practice field.