Texas State and UTSA go at it again in their rivalry Saturday afternoon when the Roadrunners travel to San Marcos for the I-35 Showdown. The Bobcats enter the matchup looking for a response after opening their season with a 59-7 loss to No. 5 Texas. The final score was one-sided, but Texas State still produced 349 total yards and outrushed the Longhorns 161-156.
Quarterback Brad Jackson completed 15 of 23 passes for 150 yards and added 32 yards on the ground. Tucker Cusano led the Bobcats with 58 receiving yards, while Davian Jackson scored the team’s only touchdown. Defensively, Ryan Nolan intercepted Arch Manning in the end zone. Texas State will need to eliminate the mistakes that allowed the game to get away. The Bobcats committed three turnovers, 2 being by the hands of future top-3 LB off the draft board Rasheem Biles via a pick and a forced fumble, and another fumble that Texas Star CB Graceson Littleton returned for 59 yards for a touchdown.
UTSA enters the rivalry game with momentum after defeating UTRGV 45-16. Owen McCown completed 22 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns as the Roadrunners finished with 525 total yards. UTSA also showed its ability to create explosive plays. DJ Allen Jr. recorded 116 receiving yards. The running backs were toting that pill with ferocity and ease, with Will Henderson III rushing for 99 yards, and A’Marion Peterson adding 96 yards on only eight carries. The Roadrunners were quite explosive, producing five offensive plays of at least 30 yards.
The quarterback matchup will be one of the biggest storylines Saturday. Jackson delivered one of his best performances against UTSA last season, throwing for 286 yards and scoring twice on the ground in a 43-36 Texas State victory. Beau Sparks added 155 receiving yards and caught the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Texas State has now won two straight games in the series. The Bobcats defeated UTSA 49-10 in San Marcos in 2024 before winning last year’s shootout at the Alamodome. UTSA still leads the all-time football series 5-2.
The Roadrunners looked sharper in Week 1, but they faced a second-year FCS program while Texas State opened against one of the best teams in the country. Returning home against a familiar opponent should allow the Bobcats to show that last week’s result will not define their season.
The Texas Preps staff is picking Texas State to make enough plays late and keep the Showdown trophy in San Marcos for a third straight season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at UFCU Stadium. The game will air on The CW.
