Final Score: UTSA 59, Colorado State 45
Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Attendance: 17,109
Conferences: UTSA (American Conference) vs. Colorado State (Pac-12 Conference)
Game Recap: Alfredo Vazquez
Version en Espanol AQUI
UTSA Erases a Disastrous Start and Wins a 59-45 Shootout Over Colorado State on Hispanic Heritage Day
UTSA 59, Colorado State 45 — Week 4, 2026 Season
You rarely see UTSA start this badly at home. Colorado State returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, then hit a 74-yard touchdown pass on its very next possession — suddenly the Roadrunners were down 14-0 without having touched the ball. What followed was a response nobody saw coming: UTSA answered with a fast, sharp, relentless offense and walked away with a 59-45 win in one of the most entertaining games — and roughest openings — the Alamodome has seen in a while.
The setup: a Hispanic Heritage Game to remember
This wasn’t just any Saturday. UTSA hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage Game, wearing special-edition uniforms and helmets designed to honor Hispanic culture in San Antonio and nationwide. At halftime, Mariachi Los Paisanos and Ballet Folklórico San Antonio joined the university’s Spirit of San Antonio marching band for a performance that blended tradition and live music — a sound as big as the game itself.
A genuine offensive dogfight
From Mel Brown’s kickoff-return touchdown to K’saan Farrar’s 74-yard scoring strike to Terrence Smith Jr., Colorado State made it clear early it wasn’t here to play defense. But UTSA’s offense answered immediately, ripping off three straight touchdowns to grab a 28-14 lead, and from there the game turned into a nonstop scoring exchange — every time the Rams answered, the Roadrunners had a response ready. UTSA even threw in its own special-teams haymaker, a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown from Mekhi Anderson.
Quarterback Owen McCown ran UTSA’s offense with surgical precision: 20-of-30 for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns spread across different receivers. On the ground, UTSA used three different backs to wear down the Rams’ defense: Will Henderson III (89 yards, 1 TD), Brandon High Jr. (76 yards, 1 TD), and A’Marion Peterson (60 yards, 2 TD). On the other side, Colorado State’s K’saan Farrar also had a massive night — 29-of-46 for 344 yards and 2 touchdowns — while Mel Brown added 90 rushing yards on top of his opening kickoff-return score.
The stop that finally slowed the Rams
With Colorado State threatening again and again, UTSA’s defense finally found a way to stop the bleeding. As the Rams tried one last answer in the closing seconds, safety Joel Rogers, wearing number 14, picked off Farrar near midfield to seal the win. That single defensive play — the one truly decisive stop of the afternoon — turned out to be the difference in a final score of 59-45.
The numbers behind the story
UTSA: Owen McCown — 20-of-30, 303 yards, 3 TD. Will Henderson III — 89 yards, 1 TD. Brandon High Jr. — 76 yards, 1 TD. A’Marion Peterson — 60 yards, 2 TD. Mekhi Anderson — 100-yard kickoff return for a TD. Joel Rogers — game-sealing interception in the final seconds.
Colorado State: K’saan Farrar — 29-of-46, 344 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT. Mel Brown — 90 rushing yards, plus a 94-yard kickoff-return TD. Terrence Smith Jr. — 74-yard touchdown catch. Durell Robinson — 2 rushing touchdowns.
Looking ahead
With this win, UTSA now has victories over two Pac-12 opponents in its pocket: first the Texas State Bobcats, and now the Colorado State Rams. The rematch between those two, by the way, already has a date: Colorado State visits Texas State on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
FAQs
What was the final score of the UTSA vs. Colorado State game on September 26, 2026? UTSA defeated Colorado State 59-45 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, during the Roadrunners’ Hispanic Heritage Game.
What was the biggest play of the game? Safety Joel Rogers’s (number 14) interception near midfield in the final seconds, which sealed the win as Colorado State threatened to score.
How did UTSA start the game? About as badly as possible — allowing a touchdown on the opening kickoff return and falling behind 14-0 before running a single offensive snap, then completing a full comeback.
What was celebrated at halftime? UTSA’s Hispanic Heritage Game featured a joint performance by Mariachi Los Paisanos, Ballet Folklórico San Antonio, and the university’s Spirit of San Antonio marching band.
