AUSTIN, Texas — A central Texas college football showdown nearly a century in the making is coming to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday when the Longhorns take on Texas State in Texas’ season opener.

Texas State is making the trip to Austin for the first time since 1930. Back then, UT won 36-0.

The Longhorns open the 2026 season against an experienced Texas State team. The Bobcats have made three straight bowl appearances, and this season they are moving into the revived PAC-12 Conference.

Longhorn Head Coach Steve Sarkisian says that experience is something his team will have to take seriously, with Texas State bringing back several fourth-, fifth- and even sixth-year players.

For Texas, all eyes will be on Arch Manning as he enters his second season as the Longhorns’ starting quarterback.

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Sarkisian says his team is ready, and knows the fans are ready to see what they can do this season.

“This is our fifth consecutive season when we’re already sold out for the entire season before the ball’s even been kicked off,” Sarkisian said. “Credit to our fans, the support they give us every time we go into DKR.”

The Longhorns are considered the most valuable college football program in the country, valued at more than $2 billion in a recent Indiana University study. That ranking helps generate a big economic return for Austin.

According to a university study, each home football game generates about $63 million for the local economy. That money flows to hotels, restaurants, bars and retailers.

Getting to the game

The Longhorns and Bobcats kick off at DKR in Austin at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.

If you’re heading to DKR or downtown on gameday, you will want to plan ahead.

Those not going to the game should avoid I-35 near downtown Austin if at all possible.

For those that are coming up northbound I-35 to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, stay on the lower deck.

For getting onto 15th Street, use either the lower deck MLK exit or the temporary upper deck 15th Street exit.

After the game, some traffic will be sent to the southbound I-35 Frontage Road from 15th Street. Others will be routed to 12th Street.

UT says 12th Street is now the main access point to I-35.