Rosters for UTEP’s annual spring football game were released on Thursday. Kickoff is 7 p.m. on Friday at the Sun Bowl, and admission is free.

Gates open at 5 p.m. A 2005 UTEP football schedule poster will be given away to fans, and a limited number of Miner picks and t-shirts will also be given away. Hot dogs will be sold for 50 cents.

Season tickets will be sold at the North Sun Bowl Ticket Booth. Fans will be allowed to try out the section and seat location of their choice.

Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or $20 for a book of five. Tickets will be sold at all three available entrances to the stadium (North, Southwest and Press Box), as well as in the stands. Proceeds will be donated to UTEP’s student-athlete summer school fund. The grand prize will be a trip for two to UTEP’s game at Memphis on Oct. 1 (includes airfare and lodging). Other prizes to be awarded include a UTEP football helmet and EV1.net Houston Bowl football, both autographed by Miner coach Mike Price. The lucky winners will be announced in the fourth quarter of the spring game.

A student tailgating competition will take place in the north parking lot of the Sun Bowl beginning at noon with judging at 4 p.m.

Leading the blue team offensively will be quarterback Jordan Palmer, who threw for 2,818 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chris Francies, who rated second and third on the team in receiving a year ago, are on the blue roster, as well as Matt Austin and Tyler Ebell, who are battling for the starting nod at the tailback position.

The blue team defense will be anchored by linebacker Thomas Howard, who tallied 14 tackles for losses and eight sacks in 2004. Defensive tackle Chris Mineo (13 tackles for losses/eight sacks in ’04) and free safety Quintin Demps (58 tackles in ’04) are also on the blue team.

Sixteen players are slated to split time between the blue team and the orange team OL Oniel Cousins, QB Orlando Cruz, OL Robby Felix, DB Josh Ferguson, TE Jamar Hunt, QB Chris Hurd, TE Casey Mauch, DB Tim McCullouch, LB Jason McQuay, DL Reggie Miles, Jr., DB Phillip Moss, OL Tyler Ribitzki, WR Daniel Robinson, OL Andy Smith, RB Marcus Thomas and DL Ricky Van.