UTEP Football Set to Play Next Home Game in Midland Versus UAB

Friday morning, Miner football game and... a new location for a home game?

That's the reality of the UTEP football team (3-3, 0-2 C-USA), who will make the 300-mile trip to Midland and host their next home game against UAB on Friday, Nov. 20. The matchup will be played at Grande Communications Stadium with an unusual 10 AM kickoff.

UTEP has had three of their most recent home games (Southern Miss, North Texas and Florida International) either cancel or postpone their games. North Texas elected to postpone their matchup set on Oct. 31 due to the rising COVID-19 cases in El Paso. As the city continues to battle rising numbers of COVID-19, the idea of moving the location from El Paso to Midland could be to help ease the worries of their opponents.

It is unclear if their other home games (vs. Southern Miss on 12/4; vs. North Texas on 12/12) will be played at the Sun Bowl or at Grande Communications Stadium.

“We feel hosting UAB in Midland will give us the best opportunity to get on the field and compete,” head coach Dana Dimel said in a release. “While we are disappointed that we will not be playing in front of our home crowd, we are looking forward to the opportunity to play the game at Grande Stadium.”

600 ESPN El Paso will still have the radio coverage with Jon Teicher (PxP) and Mike Perez (analysis) on the call, and the television broadcast will be on ESPN+.

No fans will be allowed to the UTEP-UAB game on Nov. 20. The game will be restricted to coaches, student-athletes, support staff, officials, medical personnel and media with a working function. Per the athletic department, season ticket holders and single-game ticket holders will be contacted within the coming days regarding refund options.

The Miners are preparing to face UTSA on the road this Saturday in San Antonio. Oddly enough, Dimel decided to give the team the day off on Tuesday. Practice is scheduled to resume Wednesday evening. The team gets tested every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for COVID-19.