UTSA recaptures I-35 Rivalry on late drive, beats Texas State, 31-26

Most college football rivalries were established decades ago. Some date back more than a century. But UTSA and Texas State — two programs that rose to FBS status together in 2012 — prove a rivalry doesn’t need decades of history to become bitter.

The I-35 Rivalry began in 2012 between the two Central Texas programs, but it took on new meaning in the 2020s when UTSA hired Jeff Traylor and Texas State hired GJ Kinne, who transformed their respective programs into consistent winners. UTSA won the first five meetings. Texas State won the next two.

With the Central Texas heat engulfing San Marcos on Saturday afternoon, the Roadrunners reclaimed the upper hand in the growing I-35 Rivalry. UTSA running back Brandon High Jr. broke free for a 25-yard touchdown with 14 seconds remaining to give the Roadrunners a 31-26 victory in San Marcos. High’s run was an emotional moment for UTSA fans and players alike, who wound up on the victorious side of I-35 for the first time since 2023.

“It just means so much to our fans, our alumni, and our city,” UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor said. “I was proud for my fans. That’s two years they had to listen to that stuff. That’s two years that trophy hadn’t been in that spot in my office.”

UTSA has endured severe road struggles in recent years. The Roadrunners had gone 2-10 in true road games since 2024, with its only victories coming against 2-10 Colorado State and 1-11 Charlotte last season. The last time UTSA visited San Marcos, it was demolished 49-10. With many contributors from that 2024 team still on the roster, the Roadrunners exacted revenge on their biggest rival’s home turf.

“I told my staff before the game — this is the first time in two years this is a group was made to win in that environment,” Traylor said. “That’s a tough environment to win in. This group is wired for that. They’re good kids. We’re not as talented as we have been. But they’re super, super, super good people. We’ll continue to get better.”

The Roadrunners could have settled for a field goal in the waning seconds, but High ensured UTSA wouldn’t have to rely on the kicking game with his 25-yard run to paydirt, exorcising the demons from the program’s last visit to UFCU Stadium.

“When I saw the gap, I just took it,” said High, who transferred back to UTSA this offseason after previously suiting up for the Roadrunners in 2024. “It definitely felt good, because I never forgot how it was last time we came here. It was definitely a bad taste in my mouth.”

High’s game-winning touchdown was the culmination of the Roadrunners’ finest drive of the afternoon. UTSA accrued 82 yards in 14 plays and converted two fourth downs during the methodical series.

The player who kept composure through it all — quarterback Owen McCown. McCown lost his first two starts in this rivalry, but the veteran quarterback ensured the Roadrunners wouldn’t leave San Marcos without a trophy. On 4th and 5 from his own 23-yard line, he connected with David Amador II to move the sticks. Then on 4th and 5 from his own 36, McCown withstood a collapsing pocket and barreled forward for six yards.

“I wasn’t gonna take it out of his hand,” Traylor said. “I was gonna let him decide who won. And he found a way to get it done — with a lot of help from a lot of people.”

After converting the second fourth down, McCown proceeded with a game-winning drive UTSA fans had starved for since 2023.

“Go win the game,” McCown said on his mindset during the final drive. “The last two years, you look at where we need to work the most, it’s road games and two-minute drill. For that to come to fruition for this first road game says a lot about our program. Obviously, that’s something we highlighted in the offseason. For this to happen the way it did, it’s super special.”

Texas State controlled the first half. The Roadrunners took a 7-0 lead, but the Bobcats responded with 17 unanswered in the first half thanks to an effective run game. Torrance Burgess Jr. posted 149 rushing yards, Davian Jackson added 99 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Brad Jackson contributed 39 and a score. Texas State, which controlled the line of scrimmage offensively, collectively totaled 289 rushing yards, but UTSA found ways to stay in the game despite the lack of resistance.

“We bend, but we don’t break,” inside linebacker Brandon Tucker said. “We started off slow, and Coach Traylor definitely prepared us to emphasize starting off hot in the third quarter. I think we did that. We showed that for sure.”

UTSA also benefited from Texas State’s struggles in the kicking game. Bobcat kicker Dylan Cunanan, who missed 24 and 35-yard field goals the week prior, shanked a 26-yard chip shot and an extra point — wiping four points off the board for the home team. Turnovers were another reason UTSA stayed in the game. Excluding Texas State’s game-ending lateral play, UTSA won the turnover battle, 2-0, turning two Brad Jackson interceptions into 10 points.

Trailing 17-7 at halftime, UTSA brought out its ol’ reliable trick play. Wide receiver David Amador II, who played quarterback at Galena Park North Shore High School, threw two touchdown passes on two attempts last season. Once again, he executed. UTSA drew up a double pass coming out of halftime. McCown lateraled the ball to Amador, who delivered a perfect 44-yard strike to an open Mekhi Anderson for a touchdown. The trick play sparked the Roadrunners, who closed the game on a 24-9 run.

“I think I was told earlier that David still has a better passer rating than me,” McCown joked. “I don’t mind that at all, but it was great. It’s something we’ve been working on for a long time. David is a former quarterback and executed it really well.”

UTSA overcame other obstacles in the victory, which may not have been as prevalent to the viewer.

“We had to use a lot of timeouts in the first half,” Traylor said. “Our tablets were down most of the first half. Our comms with the quarterback were down most of the first half. Our headsets were down most of the first half. And man, we just kept operating. I had to burn some timeouts. We didn’t make any excuses. We just kept playing. It was a total team effort. There was so much forward thinking through this game, and our kids just kept playing. Gritty, gritty win.”

The victory checked several boxes for the Roadrunners. They finally reclaimed bragging rights over their in-state non-conference rival, which was hosting its first game as a Pac-12 member. Additionally, the road woes subsided for at least a week, as UTSA captured an elusive road win as an underdog. With all those boxes checked, Traylor had one more celebration planned.

“I thought it was gonna be an unbelievable game,” head coach Jeff Traylor said. “I thought it would come down, probably, to the very last play of the game. And when it strikes zero and the officials leave, I take my headphones off as I always do, and I won’t smile, like I never do, and I shake the other coach’s hand, like I always do. Then I sing the school song to an unbelievable band like I always do. Then I’m gonna come in the locker room and bust a dance for them. They were very excited for my dance. It’s called the Triangle Travels. I think it’d be a great line dance. It’s gonna hit San Antonio, it’s gonna be very popular.”