UTSA vs. Texas State: I-35 Rivalry Returns

Marking just the seventh meeting between the two schools located just 56 miles apart, the rivalry is in its budding stage after the Bobcats beat the Roadrunners 49-10 in 2024 for their first-ever win against UTSA, who had won the previous five games.

Opening Statements

Texas State kicked off its 2025 campaign in dominant fashion, scoring seven touchdowns in a 52-27 defeat of Eastern Michigan (0-1). The Bobcats’ offense picked up where they left off last season, racking up nearly 600 yards of total offense, including 392 yards rushing. It was the third consecutive game (dating back to last season) Texas State amassed more than 500 yards of total offense. In their last six contests, the Bobcats have averaged 531.8 total yards per game, dating back to last season.

“It was a really good win,” Texas State head coach GJ Kinne said during the Sun Belt Conference media availability on Sept. 1. “A really good way to start the season at home against a quality opponent. I thought our guys prepared and played a really good game.”

UTSA opened on the road, falling to No. 19 Texas A&M (1-0), 42-24 in College Station, Texas. Despite trailing 21-10 at halftime, the Roadrunners managed to gain nearly 400 yards of total offense (more than 200 yards rushing), and held the Aggies’ offense to just 110 yards rushing and 3-of-11 on third downs.

RB Matchup: Pare vs. Henry

This year’s game will feature two of the Group of 5’s best rushing attacks led by Texas State’s Lincoln Pare and UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. 

Pare followed up his First Responder Bowl MVP to end last season with 167 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns in the win against EMU. Despite playing an SEC defense, Henry was a standout against the Aggies rushing for 177 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns.

“One of the most impressive performances I’ve seen against an SEC team in a long time,” Kinne said of Henry.

In the 2024 matchup Pare helped lead the Bobcats to the win with 109 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, while Henry had 26 yards on just nine carries. 

“He works hard every day, he’s a leader and there’s no up and downs with him,” Kinne said of Pare. “Every day he is the same guy and that’s what usually shows up. He’s consistent on game day because he’s consistent Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I wish I had a team full of him.”

I-35 Bragging Rights

UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor is 2-1 against Texas State since taking over the program in 2020, winning 51-48 in his first season and a 20-13 victory in 2023. 

Getting that first win against Traylor, Kinne said helped ignite the young rivalry.

“I don’t think it was much of series until last year,” he said. “They are a really good team and coach Traylor does an unbelievable job. They’ve got really good players, they’ve got a really good culture, they’re big, they’re strong and they’re fast.

“It’s a big game for everyone. For the universities, for the fanbases and for the players. It’s a year of bragging rights,” Kinne said.

Traylor and the Roadrunners are 4.5-point favorites at home, and the point total for the game is 65.5.