Oklahoma vs UTEP live score, game updates, OU football highlights

7:20 pm CT

7:27 left in first quarter: OU 14, UTEP 0 | Isaiah Sategna scores in punt return

Isa Almeida

In his first drive for the Miners, quarterback EJ Colson Jr. and the UTEP offense were unable to get past the Sooner defense.

Brady Braun punted for 59 yards right into the hands of Isaiah Sategna III, who returned for 88 yards to score OU's second touchdown in two drives.

It's the Sooners' first touchdown on a punt return since the 2023 season.

7:16 pm CT

9:16 left in first quarter: OU 7, UTEP 0 | Lloyd Avant scores Sooners' first TD

Jacob Unruh

It was a whole lot of new running back Llody Avant on the opening drive.

Six carries. Thirty-eight yards.

Oh, and the Sooners' first TD of the season, a 1-yard carry on third-and-goal.

OU ran 12 plays, rushing for 46 yards.

John Mateer was 2 for 3 for 30 yards, with Elijah Thomas catching a 24-yard pass.

7:13 pm CT

Get to know the 2026 OU football team

OU from A-to-Z: Everything you need to know about 2026 Oklahoma Sooners

OU football predictions 2026: Our picks for every Sooners game in SEC and beyond

OU football's most important players: John Mateer takes top billing among Sooners

OU best-case & worst-case scenarios: Can Sooners make return trip to College Football Playoff?

Bringing it all back home: John Mateer had to confront his worst moments to rediscover confidence

Climbing new heights: Brent Venables doesn't know how to slow down, even after neck surgery

OU depth chart revealed:See full roster, who won position battles for Sooners

7:08 pm CT

Who is Lloyd Avant? How OU football's transfer RB became a surprise starter

Jeff Patterson

Read this and report back to us...

7:05 pm CT

Hall of Fame QB Terry Bradshaw attending OU-UTEP game

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw is in attendance at Owen Field for OU-UTEP on Friday night.

Bradshaw once owned a ranch in Thackerville near the Texas border.

7:00 pm CT

How will OU football fare in 2026 season? Check out our season predictions

Coming off a first-round appearance in the College Football Playoff, coach Brent Venables and the OU football team open the 2026 season with a top-10 ranking and hopes to make a run an eighth NCAA football title.

Quarterback John Mateer returns, as does a potent defense for the Sooners.

See how The Oklahoman sports staff view the 2026 season playing out for the Sooners and nationally by clicking HERE.

6:50 pm CT

Quick thoughts ahead of OU football vs. UTEP

Joe Mussatto

A few pregame thoughts ...

True freshman Noah Best will get the start at center, per Gabe Ikard. With injuries to Jake Maikkula and Ryan Fodje, Best is apparently third in line at center. If everyone is healthy, Best is penciled in as the backup right guard to Fodje. Veteran Heath Ozaeta will get the start at right guard.

UTEP's orange is akin to Tennessee's. The Miners moved to a lighter orange in 2018, per their school website. UTEP isn't wearing a lot of it tonight. The Miners are going with navy helmets, white jerseys and navy pants.

Much of the east side of the stadium is still taking a direct hit from the sun. It's 97 degrees 30 minutes to kickoff.

Ted Pitts, a former South Carolina state rep, is the referee. He served in the South Carolina legislature from 2003-10 and was later the chief of staff for former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.

6:40 pm CT

Jake Maikkula injury update: OU football center not expected to play vs UTEP

Colton Sulley

Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula is fully suited up during warmups. He's not expected to play but a potential good sign for next week.

Offensive lineman Noah Best took first-team reps in warmups, but there was no sign of Ryan Fodje or Danny Okoye.

6:30 pm CT

See our top photos of OU football fans ahead of season opener

Take a look at some pregame photos ahead of tonight's OU football season opener against UTEP.

6:20 pm CT

Why moving OU's home opener to Friday was a complicated decision

Roger Denny has made several tough decisions in his short time as OU's athletic director. None was more complicated than moving the Sooners' football opener to Friday. Read more HERE.

6:10 pm CT

Brian Bosworth photos through the years

Take a stroll down memory lane with a look at our photo gallery of legendary OU football linebacker Brian Bosworth.

6:01 pm CT

UTEP players preview season opener against OU football

Jeff Patterson

Here's what UTEP safety Xavier Smith and running back Tavorus Jones had to say heading into the OU football game.

5:50 pm CT

Who is UTEP football coach? Get to know Scotty Walden, Miners

Jeff Patterson

Scotty Walden enters his third season as UTEP football head coach.

The 36-year-old native of Cleburne, Texas, is 5-19 overall and 4-12 in Conference USA play.

Before taking the reins in El Paso, Walden went 26-14 in four seasons at Austin Peay.

5:40 pm CT

Barry Switzer photos through the years

Take a stroll down memory lane with a look at our photo gallery of legendary OU football coach Barry Switzer.

5:30 pm CT

3 things to watch, 1 prediction for OU football game vs UTEP in season opener

Jenni Carlson

The Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson breaks down the Oklahoma vs. UTEP Week 1 college football game. How will the Sooners look in their warmup act for next week's Michigan trip?

5:20 pm CT

UTEP football schedule 2026

Jeff Patterson

All times are Central

Friday, Sept. 4:at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)

Saturday, Sept. 12: vs. Texas Southern, 8 p.m. (MW+)

Saturday, Sept. 19: at Michigan, 2:30 p.m. (BTN)

Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Oregon State, 8 p.m. (MW+)

Saturday, Oct. 3: at New Mexico, 3 p.m. (MW+)

Saturday, Oct. 10: vs. Nevada, TBA

Saturday, Oct. 17: vs. San Jose State, 8 p.m. (MW+)

Saturday, Oct. 31: at North Dakota State, 2:30 p.m. (MW+)

Saturday, Nov. 7: vs. Hawaii, TBA

Saturday, Nov. 14:vs. Wyoming, TBA

Friday, Nov. 20:at Air Force, 7 p.m. (CW)

Saturday, Nov. 28:at Northern Illinois, 2:30 p.m. (MW+)

5:10 pm CT

Oklahoma football schedule 2026

Jeff Patterson

All times are Central

Friday, Sept. 4: vs. UTEP, 7 p.m. (SEC Network+)

Saturday, Sept. 12: vs. Michigan, 11 a.m. (Fox)

Saturday, Sept. 19: vs. New Mexico, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday, Sept. 26: at Georgia, FLEX (afternoon or evening)

Saturday, Oct. 10: vs. Texas, 2:30 p.m. in Dallas (ABC or ESPN)

Saturday, Oct. 17: vs. Kentucky, FLEX (afternoon or evening)

Saturday, Oct. 24: at Mississippi State, FLEX (afternoon or evening)

Saturday, Oct. 31: vs. South Carolina, FLEX (afternoon or evening)

Saturday, Nov. 7: at Florida, FLEX (afternoon or evening)

Saturday, Nov. 14: vs. Mississippi, between 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21: vs. Texas A&M, between 11 a.m.-noon

Saturday, Nov. 28: at Missouri, between 2:30-3:30 p.m.

5:01 pm CT

OU football WR Parker Livingstone cleared to play vs UTEP

Colton Sulley

Oklahoma receiver Parker Livingstone has been cleared to play Friday against UTEP after missing some practice time with a concussion, according to an ESPN report.

If he ultimately plays, it'll be Livingstone's Sooners debut after transferring from Texas.

He was listed as a co-starter with second-year receiver Elijah Thomas.

4:50 pm CT

Where OU football is ranked in US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25 before Week 1 game vs UTEP

Isa Almeida

US LBM Coaches Poll

1. Ohio State

2. Oregon

3. Georgia

4. Texas

5. Notre Dame

6. Indiana

7. Miami (FL)

8. Texas A&M

9. Oklahoma

10. Ole Miss

11. Alabama

12. Texas Tech

13. LSU

14. USC

15. BYU

16. Michigan

17. Penn State

18. Tennessee

19. Washington

20. SMU

21. Utah

22. Iowa

23. Clemson

24. Houston

25. Missouri

Others receiving votes: Louisville 153; Florida 147; TCU 63; Illinois 62; South Carolina 50; Arizona 50; Virginia 40; Vanderbilt 37; Auburn 29; Georgia Tech 26; Boise State 24; Oklahoma State 22; UNLV 17; North Carolina State 13; Florida State 13; Virginia Tech 12; Nebraska 12; Memphis 9; Arizona State 8; James Madison 6; Duke 6; Pittsburgh 4; New Mexico 4; Western Michigan 3; Navy 3; San Diego State 2; Kansas State 1; Jacksonville State 1; Hawaii 1; California 1.

4:40 pm CT

Where OU football is ranked in AP Top 25 before Week 1 game vs UTEP

Isa Almeida

AP Poll

1. Ohio State

2. Oregon

3. Georgia

4. Notre Dame

5. Texas

6. Indiana

7. Miami (FL)

8. Texas A&M

9. Ole Miss

10. Oklahoma

11. LSU

12. Texas Tech

13. Alabama

14. BYU

15. USC

16. Michigan

17. Washington

18. Penn State

19. SMU

20. Tennessee

21. Utah

22. Iowa

23. Houston

24. Louisville

25. Missouri

Others receiving votes: Clemson 112; Florida 51; Boise State 43; Arizona 32; TCU 11; Navy 10; South Carolina 10; Illinois 9; Oklahoma State 8; Vanderbilt 8; Pittsburgh 7; Virginia Tech 6; Minnesota 5; UNLV 4; New Mexico 4; Georgia Tech 4; James Madison 3; Auburn 3; Memphis 2; California; Liberty 1; Western Michigan 1; Tulane 1; Virginia 1.

4:30 pm CT

What are the betting lines for tonight's OU football game vs. UTEP?

Oklahoma vs UTEP predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Sept. 4:

Oklahoma 52, UTEP 3: John Mateer, Sooner defense back in form under Friday night lights.

Spread: Oklahoma (-41.5)

Over/under: 51.5

4:20 pm CT

What channel is Oklahoma vs UTEP on today?

TV channel: N/A

Livestream: SEC Network+ (here's how to stream it live)

Oklahoma vs UTEP will be streamed on SEC Network+ in Week 1 of the 2026 college football season. Ted Emrich (play-by-play) and Fozzy Whittaker (analyst) will call the game from the booth at Memorial Stadium, while Maria Martin will be the sideline reporter.

4:09 pm CT

What time does OU play today? Oklahoma vs UTEP time

Date:Friday, Sept. 4

Start time:7 p.m. CT

The Oklahoma vs UTEP game starts at 7 p.m. Saturday from Memorial Stadium in Norman.

Order book on OU baseball run to NCAA title

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