How UTSA is handling the push for rivalry redemption against Texas State
UTSA coach Jeff Traylor knew the I-35 Series Trophy wouldn’t be sitting in his office anymore, but beyond that, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
In the aftermath of a 49-10 rout at the hands of Texas State in San Marcos early in the 2024 season, Traylor was in uncharted territory. The Roadrunners had never lost to the Bobcats in five previous meetings, keeping the trophy planted in San Antonio since the day Traylor took the job in December 2019. He knew the 2024 loss would leave a sour taste, but having never experienced it before, he was unsure how long that taste might linger.
Two years to the day after the setback, Traylor finally had an answer Monday.
“Probably when I’m in heaven, it’ll be over with,” Traylor said. “Until then, it never goes away.”
Texas State kept hold of the trophy with a 43-36 win last year in San Antonio, and UTSA’s chance to punch back at last arrives when the teams clash again at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in San Marcos.
READ MORE:Five players to watch as UTSA enters pivotal matchup vs. Texas State
The stakes for the two programs: bragging rights, recruiting momentum, a claim as the top Group of Six program in Texas and a chance to rally a city and a fanbase around what could be possible in 2026.
But, as much as anything, UTSA is grasping for a chance at redemption.
“I didn’t like how my guys were after that game. I will never get that out of my head,” UTSA receiver Mekhi Anderson said. “This game right here means a lot to us, and we’re going to figure it out, and we’re going to get to it.”
The 2024 matchup arrived with the backdrop of the first expanded College Football Playoff, as both programs dreamed of punching a ticket. But Traylor said a young offense was still “big-eyed and bushy tailed” for the early season matchup, and a veteran defense offered little resistance as the Bobcats went up 35-3 at halftime.
Traylor this week looked back at the matchup as a “physical beating” and “one of the most embarrassing days of our time here at UTSA.”
Even with a handful of new players in the fold this season, the Roadrunners haven’t had to spend much time this week talking about the past two meetings with the Bobcats.
“I’m pretty sure everyone in the building has a bad taste in their mouth from those last two years,” defensive tackle Jameian Buxton said. “If you don’t know about it, your eyes and your ears must have been closed for the last two years.”
The benefits for Texas State were just as glaring, with coach G.J. Kinne speaking after the 2024 win about everything that went into “a huge win for the program.”
Following a 20-13 loss to UTSA during Kinne’s first season in 2023, Texas State’s coaches analyzed video of that matchup more than any other opponent, setting out to build a roster that could finally knock off the Roadrunners.
“Every recruiting move we made, every personnel decision we made was, ‘Hey, does this allow us to beat UTSA?” Kinne said in 2024. “It was a big game for us.”
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Looking back this week, Traylor said the Bobcats were more competitive, as Kinne “did a really great job then with the narrative that they had never beaten us.”
While the rivalry stakes are obvious, Traylor said he’s also aimed to be measured with the Roadrunners. Putting the success or failure of the 2026 season on a Week 2 matchup is “not a smart way to coach a football team,” Traylor said, risking repercussions that could last months.
“In this game, you get a trophy for playing one game, so that already makes it different,” Traylor said. “I just think you have to be smart with how you handle that. If you make it everything, you can lose the whole season.”
UTSA’s players have also aimed to strike a balance. Offensive lineman Ben Rios acknowledged the energy that comes from a rivalry atmosphere but said Saturday is “just another game.” Defensive lineman Tai Leonard described the game as “just two very competitive programs playing a competitive sport.”
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson, a San Antonio native, called UTSA “our biggest rival,” saying the matchup “has always had a special place” and brings a different level of emotion.
For his part, Traylor has been effusive in his praise of the Bobcats, calling this “the best Texas State team we’ve played” because of an offense that “might be historically good,” led by a quarterback in Jackson who is “unbelievable.”
He doesn’t need to give the Bobcats any bulletin board material, and he doesn’t expect that the Roadrunners need much, either.
“They kicked our tail two years in a row, so sometime we’ve got to be tired of that happening,” Traylor said. “We got to go get one. So, we don’t have to talk about it a lot. They hear about it all the time.”
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This article originally published at How UTSA is handling the push for rivalry redemption against Texas State.