UTEP Takes on Texas in High-Stakes Austin Showdown
The stage was set in Austin, Texas, as the UTEP Miners marched into Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium to face off against the powerhouse Texas Longhorns. For UTEP, this wasn’t just another game—it was an opportunity to prove themselves on one of the biggest stages in college football. The Miners had just picked up their first win of the season against UT Martin, and while that victory gave them confidence, they knew the challenge against Texas would be on an entirely different level.
Head Coach Scotty Walden made it clear from the start: his team wasn’t showing up simply to compete—they were showing up to win. Walden reminded his players that when the ball is kicked off, the basics remain the same. There’s still a field, goalposts, and four quarters of football to be played. The difference is that across the line stood the seventh-ranked team in the country, a squad loaded with NFL-caliber talent and coached by Steve Sarkisian.
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For UTEP to have a chance, Walden emphasized discipline. Mistakes, he explained, could not be afforded. Texas is known for a swarming defense, one that thrives on forcing turnovers and capitalizing on miscues. Against a team like the Longhorns, giving away the football almost always translates into giving away points.
The spotlight naturally fell on quarterback Malachi Nelson. The former five-star recruit delivered four touchdowns the week before and carried himself with quiet confidence heading into Austin. For Nelson, this was personal—not only because of the stage, but also because Texas had once pursued him during his recruitment. Now, he had the chance to prove himself against the very program that passed him over. Nelson brushed off the pressure, saying football is the same game he has played since he was five years old. The difference, he admitted with a grin, is simply that more eyes would be watching.
Across the field stood Arch Manning, the highly-touted Texas quarterback who had patiently waited his turn before stepping into the starting role. Both Manning and Nelson, once among the most hyped recruits in their class, now found themselves leading their respective programs in a showdown that drew plenty of attention. Nelson acknowledged Manning’s talent, noting they had exchanged messages over social media and looked forward to the matchup.
Adding fuel to UTEP’s fire was the fact that 62 players on their roster hailed from Texas. Many had grown up dreaming of playing for the Longhorns, only to be overlooked in the recruiting process. Running back Ashten Emory captured that chip-on-the-shoulder mentality perfectly: this was about proving what the Texas programs missed.
Still, the odds were steep. UTEP entered the game as a 41.5-point underdog. But as every player and coach echoed throughout the week, games are not won on paper. They’re won on the field, through grit, focus, and execution. With kickoff set for Saturday afternoon on the SEC Network, all eyes turned to Austin to see if the Miners could turn belief into the upset of the season—or if Texas would once again flex its dominance on home turf.
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