UTEP turned to backup quarterback Raymond Moore III after EJ Colson suffered an injury during a Mountain West football matchup against San Jose State at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
According to KVIA's halftime report, Colson had been sacked three times before leaving the game, forcing the Miners to adjust their offense.
San Jose State held a 7-0 lead at halftime, according to KVIA.
UTEP needed to protect its quarterback more effectively and generate offensive momentum after struggling to establish control in the first half.
The Miners entered the contest looking to respond to a 30-13 loss to Nevada the previous week, KVIA reported.
Colson's injury added another challenge as UTEP attempted to recover against the Spartans.
Moore took over at quarterback and subsequently produced several significant plays, according to the game summary published by USA TODAY.
With 6:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, he had completed five consecutive passes.
Moore also surpassed 100 rushing yards during the fourth quarter.
His 12-yard run with 3:40 remaining pushed him past the century mark, making him UTEP's first player to reach 100 rushing yards in a game since his performance against New Mexico on October 3, according to USA TODAY.
UTEP also produced a major rushing performance through Viliami Teu, who surpassed 100 rushing yards with a 67-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The scoring play came with 5:36 remaining in the period and marked his second rushing touchdown of the game, according to the game summary.
Teu had earlier scored on a 2-yard run with 13:13 remaining in the third quarter.
His subsequent long touchdown run gave UTEP another significant offensive play as the Miners worked to overcome their first-half difficulties.
USA TODAY's game summary also recorded a 10-yard run by Teu with 9:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, bringing his rushing total beyond 150 yards for the game.
San Jose State generated its own notable offensive production through receiver Carson Clark, who surpassed 100 receiving yards in the third quarter.
His 63-yard reception helped set up a productive passing performance, and he reached 104 receiving yards, according to USA TODAY.
Clark also caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Rolovich with 8:05 remaining in the first quarter, giving San Jose State an early scoring advantage.
The touchdown was Rolovich's first passing score of the game, according to the game summary.
San Jose State receiver Anthony Ivey later recorded a 43-yard catch in the fourth quarter.
The play was his second reception of at least 30 yards during the season, while Clark's long reception added another substantial gain to the Spartans' passing attack.
UTEP recorded a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, its first successful conversion of that type since November 29, 2025, against Delaware, according to USA TODAY.
Nik Henry also scored on an 8-yard rushing touchdown with 10:59 remaining in the final period.
UTEP's earlier struggles on third down remained a notable part of the game.
The Miners converted one of seven third-down attempts in the third quarter, a 14.3% rate, while San Jose State converted four of seven attempts during the same period, according to USA TODAY.
The matchup followed UTEP's loss to Nevada and featured a quarterback change that forced the Miners to rely on Moore.
The game summary documented Moore's passing and rushing contributions alongside Teu's extended rushing production and San Jose State's early lead.
