Day one is in the books for UTEP football at Camp Ruidoso

The UTEP football team completed its first practice at training camp in Ruidoso Friday afternoon.

The three-hour practice kicked off the team’s yearly voyage to the mountains, but it was far from the only team activity on the day.

The Miners met at the UTEP campus at 8:30 Friday morning before departing on team buses. They also had team meetings and position meetings throughout the day.

Head coach Dana Dimel said he liked the intensity his team showed on the field even after a long bus ride on day one of camp.

“You know, I like the effort. Obviously, the effort was good,” said Dimel. “The thing I was looking at today was just some of the new guys…and how that’ll shape up our two-deep.”

One of those new guys is linebacker A.J. Hotchkins, who recently transferred from Oregon. Hotchkins says he only got to El Paso a few days ago, but he was more than ready for the first day of camp.

“That’s the biggest thing for me coming in as an outsider – just working hard and encouraging everybody and making sure I’m ready for the team,” he said.

Hotchkins suffered a leg injury last season while playing for Oregon, but he says he is 80-percent recovered at the moment. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice and says he plans to be available for UTEP’s opener at home against Northern Arizona on Sept. 1.

The Miners will stay in Ruidoso through Sunday, Aug. 12 before returning to El Paso.