The excitement continues to build for the UTRGV football program, which will play its first-ever game on Aug. 30, 2025. Fans of the Vaqueros learned of the school’s first series against a non-conference opponent and first FBS foe when the school announced a two-game road series against Texas State.

The Vaqueros will visit San Marcos on Sept. 11, 2027, and Sept. 14, 2030. The series will be a reunion for UTRGV head coach Travis Bush, a Bobcat alum who coached at Texas State from 2004-2009. Bush was wide receivers coach for three seasons before being promoted to associate head coach, co-offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach in 2007.

"This is another milestone moment for our program, department, university and community as we take the next step toward starting a Division I football program and begin building our future schedules," UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said in a statement. "This is the first of what will be many announcements as we get closer to kickoff, providing our fans exciting updates about future opponents for both home and away competitions. Playing games on the road against an NCAA Division I FBS Sun Belt Conference opponent like Texas State gives us an opportunity to gain exposure for UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley while engaging our central Texas alumni."

UTRGV will compete alongside Abilene Christian, Stephen F. Austin, and Tarleton in the United Athletic Conference.