UTSA cruises past UTRGV in blowout home opener
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Updated: September 6, 2026
A near-flawless first-half performance allowed The University of Texas at San Antonio to cruise to a 45-16 victory over The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley on Saturday at the Alamodome.
The Roadrunners came out firing on all cylinders in their home opener. Led by veteran senior Quarterback Owen McCown and sophomore running back Will Henderson III, UTSA looked unstoppable, quickly creating a two-touchdown lead and never looking back. Within 15 minutes, UTSA’s offense, defense and special teams had all registered points against the Vaqueros. Against their first FBS opponent in program history, UTRGV managed to create a decent amount of offense, yet struggled in the red zone. While the Vaqueros continuously moved the ball downfield, finishing the game with over 422 yards, turnovers and an inability to execute severely handicapped the team’s hopes for success. McCown led the way for the Roadrunners with a 275- yard, three-touchdown performance, while senior Vaquero quarterbacks Garret Rangel and Aidan Jakobsohn combined for 243 yards and two interceptions.
“There were some positive things today,” UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor said. “Offensively, McCown was really special. The day Henderson had, there’s definitely some positives.”
On the offensive side of the ball, UTSA dominated the Vaqueros, quickly silencing any whispers of an upset. In the first half, UTSA scored on four of its five drives, including an additional 49-yard pick-six by sophomore cornerback Ahmad Chapman in the second quarter. On the contrary, the Vaqueros only managed to score on two of its first seven drives in the half, with three ending on a turnover on downs or interception. Despite holding a greater time of possession, a lack of explosive plays held UTRGV to a quiet first-half performance.
McCown played excellently in the first half, picking apart defenses and completing 86% of his passes. The quarterback threw the first two touchdowns of the game. One was a 36-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver AJ Wilson, and the second to junior tight end Brandon Young Jr., who seemed to soar through the air to snag the ball out of the end zone. UTSA’s backfield aided in the trouncing of the Vaqueros’ defense. Henderson III and junior A’Marion Peterson combined for 195 rushing yards and two touchdowns. UTSA managed to score quickly and efficiently with every chance it received. Though the team tried to answer back with long calculated drives of their own, the Vaqueros struggled to end drives in points. UTSA’s defense, while passive in the first half, managed to make crucial stops on third and fourth down routinely, saving them from any sort of UTRGV comeback. Going into the half, the Roadrunners boasted a 31-6 cushion.
“My message to those guys before the game was just to be yourself and play free,” McCown said. “Scoring early, I thought, really freed us up. I’m glad we got the win.”
The third quarter saw both teams struggling to get downfield. The Vaqueros had two drives end in punts, while UTSA missed a field goal, failed a fourth-down attempt and was forced to punt. Out of the break, both teams struggled offensively.
UTSA found its offensive footing again in the fourth. A 62-yard completion from McCown to senior receiver DJ Allen, who led all receivers with 116 yards, gave UTSA its fourth touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 32 points. After UTSA pulled its starters late in the fourth, Peterson rattled off a 53-yard touchdown run. The Vaqueros’ lone touchdown came with four seconds left in the game. The score came from backup UTRGV junior quarterback Atzel Chavez Jr., who ended a nine-play drive on a quarterback draw for the score.
by Logan Martinez
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