{"id":434561,"date":"2026-09-13T08:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T08:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/434561\/"},"modified":"2026-09-13T08:05:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T08:05:07","slug":"utep-hosts-texas-southern-in-football-home-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/434561\/","title":{"rendered":"UTEP hosts Texas Southern in football home opener"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Updated Sept. 12, 2026, 11:23 p.m. MT<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743822007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-34.jpg\"  elementtiming=\"pg-lead-image\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743828007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-19.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks runs past a Texas Southern defender during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks runs past a Texas Southern defender during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741935007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-11.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP football players take the field for the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP football players take the field for the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741934007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-15.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Jaden Smith runs the ball during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Jaden Smith runs the ball during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741929007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-14.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The UTEP student section cheers during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The UTEP student section cheers during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741720007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-3.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Kam Thomas celebrates his touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Kam Thomas celebrates his touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743824007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-31.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas Southern\u2019s Jaquavus Hallman is taken off the field on a medical cart during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Southern\u2019s Jaquavus Hallman is taken off the field on a medical cart during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741716007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Kam Thomas catches a pass for a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Kam Thomas catches a pass for a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741932007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-9.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas Southern\u2019s Jacob Washington runs with the ball as UTEP\u2019s Esteban Guillory attempts a tackle during a football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Southern\u2019s Jacob Washington runs with the ball as UTEP\u2019s Esteban Guillory attempts a tackle during a football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743832007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-30.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Leander Parrish celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Leander Parrish celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741936007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-17.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s head football coach Scotty Walden watches his team during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s head football coach Scotty Walden watches his team during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743827007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-28.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Tavorus Jones runs with the ball as Texas Southern defenders attempt to tackle him during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Tavorus Jones runs with the ball as Texas Southern defenders attempt to tackle him during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743831007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-26.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith celebrates after recovering a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith celebrates after recovering a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743820007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-20.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Jeremiah Nash runs with the ball during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Jeremiah Nash runs with the ball during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741930007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-12.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Jaden Smith kneels takes a moment before the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Jaden Smith kneels takes a moment before the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741714007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-5.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas Southern\u2019s Cam\u2019Ron McCoy hands the ball off to Roriyon Richardson during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Southern\u2019s Cam\u2019Ron McCoy hands the ball off to Roriyon Richardson during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743829007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-27.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith celebrates after recovering a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith celebrates after recovering a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741973007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-16.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP players attempt to block a Texas Southern kick during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP players attempt to block a Texas Southern kick during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743825007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-32.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741937007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-18.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A UTEP fan cheers yells the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A UTEP fan cheers yells the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743821007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-25.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith recovers a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Shay Smith recovers a Texas Southern fumble during the football home opener Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743826007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-33.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743823007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-21.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s head football coach Scotty Walden talks to Jaime Guerrero during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s head football coach Scotty Walden talks to Jaime Guerrero during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741718007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-7.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas Southern\u2019s Jaquan McGee is tackled by UTEP defenders during a football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Southern\u2019s Jaquan McGee is tackled by UTEP defenders during a football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741931007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-10.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The UTEP dance team performs before the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The UTEP dance team performs before the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743830007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-24.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Adarius Hutchinson celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Adarius Hutchinson celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91741933007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-13.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Texas Southern\u2019s Athean Renfro Jr. runs the ball during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Texas Southern\u2019s Athean Renfro Jr. runs the ball during a football game against UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/91743819007-09122026-utep-vs-texas-southern-football-23.jpg\"  loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UTEP\u2019s Adarius Hutchinson celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.\"\/><\/p>\n<p>UTEP\u2019s Adarius Hutchinson celebrates during the football home opener against Texas Southern on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.<\/p>\n<p>Gaby Velasquez\/ El Paso Times<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Updated Sept. 12, 2026, 11:23 p.m. MT UTEP\u2019s Carver Cheeks celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the football&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":434562,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[203,138,140,139,103227,15780,35,648],"class_list":["post-434561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-el-paso","tag-accessmetered","tag-el-paso","tag-el-paso-headlines","tag-el-paso-news","tag-sourceel-paso-times","tag-sstssportsfootball","tag-sstsnfootball","tag-typegallery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=434561"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/434561\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=434561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=434561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=434561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}