THE UNI V ERSIT Y OF TE X A S AT EL PA S O
AS SAY ER OF STUDENT OPINION
September 1, 2026
THEPROSPECTORDAILY.COM
VOL. 112, NO. 1
OPINION Page 2
NEWS Page 4
ARTS & CULTURE Page 9
SPORTS Page 11
The big leagues are calling
New Year, New SGA Chapter
“Donde esta la gente de esta fiesta?”
How dreams for speed became a reality
All eyes on EJ Colson
B KRISTIAN HERNANDEZ Y SPORTS EDITOR • THE PROSPECTOR
The quarterback (QB) position is one of the most important positions in football. It requires split-second decisions that could alter the result for a team to win it all. QBs have to remember play calls along with their audibles (play adjustments) for each formation. Gun Heavy Right, Trei Right, 386 F-Short, H-Flat, and Gun Bunch Right, Max Block, 94 Double-Go, Y-Stick are just some plays QBs have to learn and memorize. Second, they must read the defense correctly. Are they blitzing, running zone, man to man or something completely unexpected? Finally, a QB must call for the ball from the center while looking
for an open receiver while dodging defense linemen who average around 6’4 in height and can weigh up to 300 lbs. All of this can happen in a matter of seconds. The starting redshirt sophomore quarterback for the Miners Elliott Colson Jr., also known as EJ Colson, at just 19 years old, is expected to excel in this environment at all times. “I have a saying pressure plus practice makes diamonds.” At the end of the day, I want to be a diamond,” Colson said. “I don’t want to let pressure just kind of rattle my mind. I understand that, it’s a big opportunity and a big ask to be QB one and leadership and go win games... I can’t go out there and try to be Superman every play.
Sometimes I have to be, you know make that play but I have 10 other guys around [me]that are hell of ball players.” Colson comes from a unique background where he was able to graduate early in 2024 from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood Georgia, just south of Atlanta. The three-star prospect committed to the Power 5 (now Power 4) University of Central Florida the same year. Colson played three games with a completion percentage of 56.3%. Colson, now a redshirt freshman, transferred to the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
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More than a new semester: Texas Western Gold Rush marks a new chapter B XIMENA CORDERO Y EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • THE PROSPECTOR
As the sun set behind the buildings of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), a line of eager students formed waiting to experience one of the first major celebrations of the fall semesterTexas Western Gold Rush. The sixth annual Texas Western Gold Rush , brought students together to celebrate the beginning of the academic year, but the night represented far more than just returning to classes. For many students, it marked the start of a new chapter at UTEP. That meant the start of their college years; meaning new classes, new schedules and long days on campus. It meant returning to a community they missed while they were away. Daniel Duran, a sophomore biomedical sciences student, said he
spent most of the summer working and going home, so returning to campus was especially meaningful. “I really missed it [being on campus.] All summer. I just worked and went home, so I kind of missed the people,” Duran said. “My favorite part is [that] everybody is so easygoing, so I could just walk out and talk to anybody. I like talking to people, so I just walk out and start a conversation and people go with it. Everybody is chill, so it’s fun.” For Harvey Wilson, a junior mathematics student, the beginning of the semester also meant reconnecting with people he had not seen in a while. “I work a lot, so I’d say the highlight for me is just like seeing some of my friends that I haven’t seen in a while,” Wilson said see GOLD RUSH on page 7
Gina Hinojosa Visits UTEP during Governor Campaign B VANESSA OROZCO Y STAFF REPORTER • THE PROSPECTOR
QB1 EJ Colson leads his team out of the huddle during practice at UTEP. Colson directs his teammates as they prepare for the next play. The team works together during a focused practice session. Photo by Diego Figueroa/The Prospector
Democratic candidate for Texas Governor, Gina Hinojosa, visited The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) alongside former congressman Beto O’Rourke to speak to students about state education, plans for Texas and her work thus far in her campaign. The visit, hosted by UTEP College Democrats, took place at Union East. The organization also
registered students and spectators to vote. Hinojosa discussed the closure of her son’s school, which she said sparked her path into Texas politics. “That fight took me to the Texas house for funding for our schools and I’ve been fighting Greg Abbott’s corrupt agenda for our schools and our state ever since,” Hinojosa said. see HINOJOSA on page 3