Robert Henry Jr. (left) and UTSA play host to Lincoln Pare (right) and Texas State
After a dominant season opener, the 1-0 Texas State Bobcats will be traveling to San Antonio to reignite the “I-35 Rivalry” against the UTSA Roadrunners inside the Alamodome.
Coming off a convincing 52-27 road victory over Eastern Michigan, Texas State will look to notch just their second victory in the rivalry.
Texas State
Texas State needed just two plays to make a statement that the Sun Belt West Division— and perhaps the conference— may run through San Marcos. Running back Lincoln Pare broke off a 35-yard on the second play from scrimmage while quarterback Brad Jackson connected with Beau Sparks for four touchdowns in the 52-27 victory.
The Bobcats rushed for 392 yards, the third-highest total since joining the FBS in 2012.
Defensively, Jaden Rios and Terrance Cooks Jr. each recorded a sack while the Bobcats held Eastern Michigan running back Dontae McMillan to 78 rushing yards on nine carries. Treylin Payne set a career high with nine tackles. Texas State limited the Eagles to 6-of-15 on third down conversions and recorded seven tackles for loss-the 10th time in the last 14 games (dating back to 2024) that they’ve hit that mark.
While it looked like a near-perfect performance, third-year coach G.J. Kinne said there is still room for improvement.
“[The] first half tackling wasn’t great, but you that’s part of it,” Kinne said after the game. “When you only tackled three times…in fall camp, you only can tackle so much.”
Kinne added that he felt the tackling improved in the second half.
UTSA
The Roadrunners opened the season on the road in College Station, falling to No. 19 Texas A&M, 42-24. This loss extended UTSA’s losing streak against Power Four opponents to four games— its last win came in the 2021 season opener at Illinois.
Quarterback Owen McCown went 19-for-32 for 121 yards. Running back Robert Henry led the team on the ground with 177 yards and two touchdowns. His 75-yard touchdown run in the opening play of the second half brought UTSA within four, but Texas A&M responded with 21 unanswered points to put the game out of reach.
Despite the blowout, the Roadrunners did not commit a turnover.
On defense, Shad Banks Jr. led the team with six solo tackles (seven total). However, the Roadrunners struggled to generate pressure, finishing with just two tackles for loss and no sacks. While UTSA was 5-of-16 on third down conversion, they limited Texas A&M to 3-of-11.
Sixth-year head coach Jeff Traylor said the team struggled to find space offensively.
“[Texas A&M] did a great job in covering us. We were worried to drop back to pass too much,” Traylor said. “We didn’t know we could protect him, so we had a ton of screens.”
After reviewing the game film, Traylor said they found several teachable moments.
Texas State at UTSA
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN+
Radio: KTSW 89.9 locally (also on Varsity Network app)
Click here for information on tickets. Texas State fans can also contact the ticket office at (512) 245-2272 or email the ticket office at gametickets@txstate.edu.
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