Final Score: Texas State 20, Utah State 17
Location: UFCU Stadium, San Marcos, TX
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Attendance: 18,587
Conferences: Texas State and Utah State both compete in the Pac-12 Conference (FBS)
Game Recap: Alfredo Vazquez
Versión en español, Aquí
Texas State 20, Utah State 17 — Week 8, 2026 Season
It all came down to the last play. Utah State kicked a 48-yard field goal attempt to tie it and force overtime, but the ball sailed wide left. On Homecoming night in San Marcos, Texas State exhaled and walked away with the 20-17 win.
The setup
A week after crushing Colorado State 66-27 with 716 total yards, the Bobcats (3-3) hosted Utah State (2-4) on Homecoming night, with 18,587 fans at UFCU Stadium. This time the script was completely different: a tight, low-yardage game full of tension.
What decided the game
Utah State opened with a field goal, but Texas State answered right away: Jaylen Jenkins returned the kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, putting the Bobcats up 7-3. Utah State, with three field goals from Kian Afrookhteh, led 9-7 at halftime.
Texas State took the lead on a 3-yard run by Brad Jackson in the third quarter and a 51-yard field goal from Jacob Bonilla to make it 17-9. Utah State didn’t quit: a 6-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Garcia to freshman Kaina Watson, plus the two-point conversion, tied it 17-17.
Then the defense and Bonilla’s leg did the job. Texas State put together a 13-play drive that used up about six minutes, and Bonilla hit the 37-yard field goal with 1:56 to play. Afrookhteh had one last shot, but missed it.
The numbers behind the story
Texas State: Brad Jackson — 27-of-37, 167 yards, 0 INT; 1 rushing TD. Torrance Burgess Jr. — 51 rushing yards. Chris Dawn Jr. — 7 receptions, 48 yards. Beau Sparks — 6 receptions, 38 yards. Jaylen Jenkins — 4 kick returns, 146 yards and 1 TD. Jacob Bonilla — field goals from 51 and 37 yards. Treylin Payne — 9 tackles. Trez Moore — 8 tackles. No turnovers.
Utah State: Grady Brosterhous — 21-of-36, 206 yards. Anthony Garcia — 8 receptions and a TD pass. Kian Afrookhteh — 3-of-4 on field goals. Brevin Hamblin, David Kabongo, and Bronson Olevao Jr. — 8 tackles each.
Texas State finished with 250 yards to Utah State’s 285, but converted 10 of 18 third downs.
Looking ahead
Texas State (4-3, 2-1 in the Pac-12) visits Boise State on Saturday, October 31, at 9:00 p.m. CT, on CW. Utah State (2-5, 1-2) hosts Colorado State that same day.
FAQs
What was the final score of Texas State vs. Utah State on October 24, 2026? Texas State beat Utah State 20-17 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Texas, in front of 18,587 fans.
Who decided the game? Kicker Jacob Bonilla, with a 37-yard field goal with 1:56 left.
What is Texas State’s record now? 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-12.
