BEAVERS SPOIL HOMECOMING: OREGON STATE ROLLS PAST UTEP 33-7

By PREP1 Sports | September 25, 2026 Homecoming at the Sun Bowl was supposed to be a celebration for the UTEP Miners. Instead, the Oregon State Beavers spoiled the party. Oregon State scored 17 points in the opening quarter and never surrendered control, defeating UTEP 33-7 Saturday night in front of the Homecoming crowd at Sun Bowl Stadium. The loss dropped the Miners to 1-3, while Oregon State improved to 2-2. It was UTEP's 94th Homecoming Game, making the result particularly difficult for a Miner program that welcomed alumni and fans back to El Paso for the occasion. BEAVERS STRIKE EARLY Oregon State wasted no time setting the tone. The Beavers marched 75 yards on their opening possession, with AJ Newberry finishing the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. A 37-yard field goal from Caleb Ojeda and a 14-yard touchdown reception by Jesse Legree followed, giving Oregon State a commanding 17-0 lead after the first quarter. The Beavers added another Ojeda field goal in the second quarter and carried a 20-0 advantage into halftime. For UTEP, the challenge became about finding a spark. MINERS FINALLY BREAK THROUGH That spark arrived immediately after halftime. Quarterback EJ Colson Jr. guided UTEP on a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive that ended when he connected with Carver Cheeks for a 6-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Miners were within 20-7 with 10:08 remaining in the third quarter. But Oregon State answered. The Beavers drove 75 yards on their next possession, with quarterback Braden Atkinson finding Legree for a 19-yard touchdown to push the advantage back to 27-7. Oregon State added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Atkinson connected with Jameson Powell for 18 yards, completing the scoring at 33-7. ATKINSON, LEGREE LEAD THE WAY Atkinson was in command throughout the night. The Oregon State quarterback completed 24 of 34 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns, while Legree finished with six receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns. The Beavers finished with 451 total yards, including 301 through the air and 150 on the ground. UTEP was limited to 222 total yards. Oregon State's defense also made its presence felt, recording seven sacks against the Miners. For UTEP, Colson completed 16 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, with Jaden Smith leading the receiving corps with eight catches for 62 yards. Cheeks added four receptions for 46 yards and the Miners' lone touchdown. A HOMECOMING TO REMEMBER — FOR DIFFERENT REASONS The atmosphere surrounding UTEP's Homecoming was strong, with the program welcoming alumni back to the Sun Bowl and featuring a pregame Miner Walk and postgame drone show. But once the football began, Oregon State quickly took over. UTEP actually controlled possession for 34:23, yet the Beavers' efficiency and explosive passing attack proved decisive. The loss also closed UTEP's nonconference schedule at 1-3. Now, the focus shifts. MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY BEGINS UTEP opens Mountain West Conference play Saturday, October 3, traveling to Albuquerque to face New Mexico in the 81st meeting between the programs. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MDT. The Miners now enter a new chapter of the season — conference football, a clean slate in league play and an opportunity to respond after a difficult Homecoming night. Oregon State came to the Sun Bowl and took control early. For UTEP, the next chapter begins in Albuquerque. FINAL OREGON STATE 33, UTEP 7 PHOTO: MixxdCortez | PREP1 Network