Version en Español: AQUI
Conferences: SBC
Text & Photos by Alfredo Vazquez
Alamodome
San Antonio, Texas –September 06, 2025

Texas State and UTSA played one of the most entertaining games of the young college football season. This occurred on September 6, 2025, at the Alamodome. The Bobcats played in front of a raucous, record-setting crowd of 45,778. They held on for a 43–36 victory. This win allowed them to seize control of the I-35 Rivalry for the second straight year.

Both teams came out firing and traded blows. The game featured six lead changes, one tie, and 951 yards of combined offense. The energy in the dome never dipped. In the end, Texas State’s ability to make clutch plays late swung the outcome.

Quarterback Brad Jackson led the Bobcats with poise. He threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns. He also extended drives with his legs. His favorite target was Beau Sparks. Sparks torched the Roadrunners for 155 receiving yards on five catches. This performance was highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown bomb on the first play of the fourth quarter. That strike broke open a deadlock and gave Texas State the edge they never surrendered.

For UTSA, running back Robert Henry Jr. was nearly unstoppable. He piled up 159 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. He continues to prove himself as one of the premier backs in the American Athletic Conference. Quarterback Owen McCown contributed with 219 passing yards. He added two scores. This performance kept the Roadrunners within striking distance until the final drive.

Two defining moments separated the teams:
In the first half, Texas State blocked a UTSA punt. The punt rolled out of the end zone for a safety. This gave the Bobcats an early jolt of momentum. Then, in crunch time, UTSA’s inability to convert on fourth down—finishing just 1-for-6—killed promising drives. Texas State’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. They forced a turnover on downs in the final minutes. This secured the win.

The result leaves UTSA at 0–2, a tough start for a program that entered the season with conference title aspirations. The Roadrunners have shown flashes of offensive firepower. However, execution in the red zone is a glaring issue. Costly special teams mistakes are also problems they must correct quickly.

For Texas State, the victory is another step forward under head coach G.J. Kinne. Now 2–0, the Bobcats have achieved back-to-back rivalry wins over UTSA. They are gaining a growing reputation as one of the Group of Five’s most dangerous teams. With Jackson and Sparks clicking, they look capable of pushing for a Sun Belt crown.

Saturday night’s thriller wasn’t just a game, it was a statement. Texas State proved it can win under the lights in a high-pressure environment. UTSA learned the hard way that talent alone won’t overcome lapses in execution.

College football fans: where do you think the I-35 Rivalry ranks among the best in-state clashes? Drop your thoughts below, share this recap with fellow fans, and let’s keep the conversation rolling.