Scotty Walden, UTEP 'fighting' to get NMSU back on the schedule, eager to rekindle rivalry with UNM

LAS VEGAS — In 14 years coaching college football, Scotty Walden has taken part in plenty of rivalries. Enough to know it's not wise to underestimate how deep they might go, no matter the scope or scale.

Even still, UTEP’s third-year head coach remembers his first Battle of I-10 experience with a little bit of shock.

“I did not realize,” Walden said Thursday with a smile, “how bitter it is.”

That bitterness is on hold for now – but as Walden indicated, maybe not for long.

Speaking at Mountain West Media Days, Walden said UTEP is “fighting every day” to get rival New Mexico State back on the schedule as a non-conference opponent amid the Miners’ move to the Mountain West.

In a rivalry colloquially known as the Battle of I-10, the Miners and Aggies have played on a near-annual basis for the last century, including the last three years as league rivals in Conference USA. But with UTEP set to begin its tenure as an all-sports member of the Mountain West this fall, the Battle of I-10 won’t be played for just the fourth time since 2000 and remains on indefinite hiatus.

Walden believes that will change soon.

"We’re getting there to getting it back,” he said. “These schedules are set so far in advance, right? … So, we're collaborating on how to get that (game) back. Our fans need that game. We need that game.

“I mean, that's something that's gotta happen. And it's not even a matter of if, it's a matter of when."

Despite Walden’s optimism, that when remains unclear.

Both programs can add one more non-conference game to their 2027 schedules, but NMSU will likely fill that slot with an FCS opponent; the Aggies could also add a 13th game as a condition of their road game at Hawaii, possibly placing the Battle of I-10 in Week 0 (Aug. 28).

In 2028, NMSU already has games locked in against rival New Mexico and UMass, but could fill its remaining two slots with games against Power Four and FCS teams.

Unless the Aggies opt to add a 13th game next season, is 2029 the earliest the Battle of I-10 could return?

Again, Walden hopes not.

“We went over there my first year (in 2024), last game of the year – heck, it felt like we were both competing for a dang bowl game,” he remembered. “The atmosphere felt like it was a championship (game). Unbelievable atmosphere. Our kids love playing in that game.

“It’s a lot of fun, and that’s why it’s paramount that we get it back on the schedule.”

Until that happens, Walden is more than eager for what might be the next best thing: rekindling UTEP’s old rivalry with New Mexico.

The Lobos and Miners open Mountain West play against each other Oct. 3 at University Stadium, the first time the programs have met since 2022. UNM played UTEP annually as WAC rivals from 1968 to 1998, a stretch that saw UNM win 17 straight games over the Miners (1970-’86).

Prior to that, both teams played as members of the Border Conference from 1935 to 1950.

“They’re one of the teams that, when our fanbase thinks back to the old WAC days, right, they think about the Lobos,” Walden said. “ … It’s awesome – to be able to get up in the morning, our fans get to drive to the game and be a part of that. It’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere.”

UNM head coach Jason Eck echoed Walden’s sentiment – drivable games, especially rivalry games, are good for fans – and even suggested a new addition to the decades-old series.

“We may have to create a trophy … Maybe some kind of, like, mountain,” he spitballed Thursday.

Rivalries aside, Walden is looking forward to the new perks of life in the Mountain West. A notable one: While understanding why Conference USA made teams play midweek games, Walden admitted it was “extremely difficult” on players and coaches due to the unusual schedules it created.

To accommodate as many as four games on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays each year, he said UTEP treated its midweek portion of the schedule as almost a separate season from the rest of the schedule.

“Sometimes your Tuesday was on a Saturday, right?” Walden said. “I mean, I can tell you this – it looked like hieroglyphics on my board trying to figure out, you know, what day is what. Brother, it was a challenge … We’re thankful to play on Saturdays in the Mountain West, that’s for sure.”

And despite an abysmal 5-19 record in his first two years with the Miners, Walden projected confidence in his team heading into a pivotal third season. UTEP returns four defensive starters (including former UNM linebacker Jayden Wilson) but will start fresh on offense, a unit expected to be led by Incarnate Word transfer quarterback EJ Colson.

Are the Miners ready for the Mountain West? That remains to be seen.

At the very least, they’ll offer their first answer against an old rival at University Stadium.

“I own the record the first two years, 100%. But it’s our job to show progress,” Walden added. “ … Our mindset ain’t limping into this conference. It’s to come in full throttle.

“We want to be the fastest show in the Mountain West, and we’re coming in to compete and win games.”

Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at @lenaweereider.