UTSA vs. Texas State: The Rivalry You’re Missing

Just Down the Road

The two campuses are roughly 54 miles apart along I-35 and this proximity adds fuel to the fire. The coaches and players on both teams embrace the importance of the game to their respective fan bases. After last year’s 43-36 loss to Texas State, UTSA linebacker Shad Banks said, “This is a rivalry game. This meant a lot to everybody, the whole city.”

The rivalry became especially personal for UTSA after its 49-10 loss at Texas State in 2024. When Traylor was asked on Sept. 7 whether he needed to remind his players about that game, he said, “You don’t have to talk to them about it. The ones that were there experienced it. It was one of the most embarrassing days of our time here at UTSA. It was a physical beating.”

When asked how long that loss stays with him, Traylor’s answer showed the depth of the rivalry.

“Probably when I’m in heaven it’ll be over with, but until then, it never goes away.”

Throw in the fact that Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson, a local San Antonio kid, was not seriously recruited by UTSA until it was too late, and you have one more great storyline to watch.

Teacher Meets Former Student

Traylor and Texas State coach G.J. Kinne know each other well, with a relationship dating to their days in East Texas. In 2005, Kinne quarterbacked a Canton team that defeated Traylor’s Gilmer team 61-58 in the second round of the Texas high school playoffs. Kinne transferred to Gilmer the following season and became Traylor’s quarterback, leading the team to a 10-0 record before a playoff loss.

Fast-forward to 2017, when both were members of the SMU coaching staff before heading to Arkansas together in 2018. After becoming UTSA’s head coach, Traylor advocated for Kinne as he moved up the coaching ladder. Kinne has credited Traylor with helping him land the Incarnate Word and Texas State jobs. In 2023, Kinne said, “I always figured I might be coaching for [Traylor], but I never saw myself coaching against him.”

The Rivalry Has Flipped

The teams first played in 2012, a 38-31 UTSA victory. The Roadrunners won the next four meetings, and UTSA fans relentlessly mocked Bobcats fans with the 5-0 record. After losing his first matchup in 2023, Kinne flipped the script and led Texas State to victories in the past two meetings by a combined score of 92-46, turning the series into a true rivalry. As of Wednesday, Texas State is favored by one-and-a-half points for Saturday’s game.

Closing Thoughts

Who will win the I-35 Series Trophy? UTSA is looking to overcome their road demons and secure the 100th victory in program history. Texas State, meanwhile, will play its first home game as a member of the Pac-12 Conference while trying to continue its recent dominance over the Roadrunners. Now that you know the history and the stakes, there are no excuses to miss this game.