SAN MARCOS — Multiple Texas State football self-inflicted wounds led to a 31-26 loss Saturday to UTSA Saturday in the I-35 Rivalry.
The Bobcats had two fourth-and-5s on the penultimate drive. But the Roadrunners converted both, eventually grinding their way down the field for the go-ahead touchdown. The Bobcats leaned heavily on their run game, to great effect. The offensive line worked UTSA’s defensive line, with running backs Davian Jackson and Torrance Burgess Jr. combining for 248 yards and a touchdown.
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MORE: Is Texas State football or UTSA favored? The I-35 Rivalry’s keys to victory
Texas State’s special teams continued to suffer. Dylan Cunanan missed two more field goals, but the Bobcats found something in backup kicker Jacob Bonilla, who hit a 51-yard field goal right before halftime.
Quarterback Brad Jackson had one of the worst games of his career, throwing two interceptions and missing multiple routine throws. He regained his composure somewhat in the second half, finishing with 192 passing yards, 39 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.
Here’s a recap of the game.
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Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) hands the ball off to running back Davian Jackson (6) during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State players celebrate a touchdown by running back Davian Jackson (6) during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Davian Jackson (6) runs in for a touchdown during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Davian Jackson (6) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running back Brandon High Jr. (10) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA quarterback Owen McCown (2) is hit by Texas State linebacker TJ Burkhalter (11) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running receiver DJ Allen Jr. (15) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) is tackled during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA tight end Brandon Young Jr. (89) celebrates a touchdown during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Davian Jackson (6) is tackled during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State tight end Blake Smith (!6) misses a catch during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State defensive back Craig Royal Jr. (3) celebrates a defensive stop during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Davian Jackson (6) runs in for a touchdown during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) drobs the ball after a snap during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) is tackled during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) is grabbed by the facemask by UTSA cornerback Ahamad Chapman (18) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne walks the field during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running back A’Marion Peterson (28) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA fans cheer during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA players celebrate a touchdown by running back Brandon High Jr. (10) during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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A Texas State fan reacts to a UTSA touchdown during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running back Brandon High Jr. (10) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State defensive lineman Jo’Laison Landry (6) is helped up after an injury during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Davian JAckson (6) is tackled by UTSA safety Elijah Newell (22) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA quarterback Owen McCown (2) hands the ball off to running back Will Henderson III (1) during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running back Will Henderson III (1) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) misses a catch during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) runs the ball during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA running back A’Marion Peterson (28) evades a tckle by Texas State defensive back Jayden Bradley (9) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Torrence Burgess Jr. (4) is grabbed by the facemask by UTSA safety Cameron Upshaw Jr. (11) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) misses a catch during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State receiver Kylen Evans (2) watches as a missed catch is intercepted by UTSA safety Cameron Upshaw Jr. (11) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State running back Torrence Burgess Jr. (4) is tackled by UTSA linebacker Brandon Tucker (23) during the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA quarterback Owen McCown (2) tholds up the H-E-B I-35 showdown trophy after the 31-26 win over Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA defensive linemen Jusiah Sampleton (91) and Jameian Buxton (98) kiss the H-E-B I-35 showdown trophy after the 31-26 win over Texas State at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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Texas State linebacker Jordan Sample (21) leaves the field after the 31-26 loss to UTSA in the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor meets Texas Stage head coach G.J. Kinne after the I-35 rivalry college football game at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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FINAL — UTSA 31, Texas State 26
Texas State forces UTSA to go for a fourth-and-5 on its own side of the field goal. The Roadrunners convert. A penalty and a quick tackle and UTSA faces a long third down. They set up a fourth-and-5 with a 16-yard completion to wide receiver AJ Wilson. McCown scrambles for the first down. A holding penalty grants UTSA a new set of downs. McCown continues to work down the field, reaching the opposing 35-yard line.
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The Bobcats’ first timeout comes with 39 seconds left. They use another with Roadrunners facing third-and-3. UTSA converts, then runs the ball in to take the lead. Texas State’s final drive comes up empty.
Texas State continues to win the battle in the trenches. Jackson misses Dawn on the right sideline, but a roughing the passer penalty gifts Texas State 15 yards. Dawn catches a screen and weaves his way to the marker for a fresh set of downs. The Bobcats, facing third-and-6, convert on a quarterback keeper. After a failed third-down, Bonilla nails a field goal.
Henderson rips off a 15-yard run and gains 15 more due to a hands-to-the-face penalty. Henderson bounces another run to the outside, going out of bounds at Texas State’s 16-yard line. UTSA gets first-and-goal at the 6-yard line. The Roadrunner punch it in and take the lead off the extra point.
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Jackson goes back to Evans for another big gain. The quarterback misses Evans down the left sideline; Cusano was wide-open over the middle. Davian Jackson runs for another first down. On third-and-3, Brad Jackson finds Dawn in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Cunanan goes out for the extra point and misses it.
Burgess patiently works out an 11-yard run, earning 15 extra yards due to a facemask penalty. The Bobcats continue to pound the rock against the Roadrunners defense. Facing third-and-2 at the 18-yard line, Brad Jackson is stopped short of the line on a keeper. On fourth-and-2, Jackson’s pass is batted down.
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UTSA continues its uptempo approach, quickly getting into a third-and-9. Another three-and-out, and another punt.
Jackson completes his first two passes of the half, setting up third-and-3. Burgess picks up the first down. An unnecessary roughness penalty wipes out a first down. A pass bounces off Evans’ hands, leading to a UTSA interception.
Henderson barrels his way to Texas State’s 17-yard line. Defensive lineman J.P. Deeter sacks McCown. The quarterback’s third-and-8 pass is incomplete. The field goal is good.
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McCown beats the blitz on the first play of the drive. UTSA converts on a third-and-5. The Roadrunners completely fool Texas State’s defense, as David Amador II catches a lateral and throws it to a wide-open Mekhi Anderson for a touchdown.
Jackson connects with Evans for a first down. A few Burgess runs, and Texas State is past the 50-yard line. A deep shot up the right sideline falls incomplete. Jackson finds Evans on the move for another first down. Another deep ball to the end zone is incomplete. A holding call puts Texas State at the UTSA 30-yard line. Jackson fumbles a snap, setting up a 51-yard field goal attempt. Jacob Bonilla, in for Cunanan, nails it.
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Texas State kicker Jacob Bonilla (38) celebrates a field goal during the I-35 rivalry college football game against UTSA at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 12, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas.
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A holding penalty pushes UTSA back 10 yards. A nice second-down throw from McCown is called back; the receiver was out of bounds, but the Roadrunners convert on third down anyway. UTSA begins to roll, as a series of quick completions puts the offense past midfield. Texas State stops UTSA on third-and-1, setting up a fourth-down attempt, which is converted.
Another hold sets UTSA back 10 yards. A drop sets up third-and-20. UTSA goes for it on fourth-and-17. An offside penalty gives UTSA another shot, but they fail to convert.
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Texas State gets pressure on McCown, forcing a third-down completion. The punt is downed at UTSA’s 49-yard line. Jackson misses his first two passes. The quarterback hits wide receiver Tucker Cusano for a big first down. Jackson converts another third down with his legs. Jackson dashes in for a touchdown.
UTSA goes three-and-out again, as McCown misses a third-down pass. UTSA hits Burgess on the ensuing punt, gifting Texas State 15 extra yards. Jackson hits Dawn for a 13-yard gain, but is off on his next pass. Punter Tom Flintoff pins UTSA on the opposing one-yard line.
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Burgess gives Texas State a shot in the arm — a 68-yard run to UTSA’s 14-yard line. The Bobcats line up and snap it to Davian Jackson, who takes the rock to the end zone.
Jackson misses a wide-open touchdown on second down, then misses a tougher throw to Dawn, though it was open. Dylan Cunanan’s kick attempt sails to the left of the uprights. The Bobcats defense locks in, forcing a punt.
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Texas State running back Davian Jackson gets things started with a few solid carries. A 31-yard completion to Kylen Evans wakes up the crowd. Brad Jackson’s rushing attempt is stopped at the UTSA six-yard line as the first quarter ends.
Texas State running back Torrance Burgess Jr. churns for five yards on his first carry. Jackson’s first completion is a screen to Dawn for a first down. Jackson attempts to force a throw into a window on third down, but it’s intercepted.
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McCown finds Henderson on second down for 12 yards. A holding penalty negates a 27-yard gain. A couple of rushes from running back Brandon High Jr. gets UTSA inside Texas State’s five-yard line. UTSA fails to convert on third-and-1, setting up fourth down. McCown finds High for a one-yard touchdown pass.
Texas State goes three-and-out on its first drive, as Jackson is sacked on third down. A bad punt gives UTSA good field position near midfield. After a first down, Texas State forces an incompletion from McCown on third down, leading to another punt.
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When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. CDT
Where: Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos
TV: CW
Moneyline: Texas State -102, UTSA -119
Spread: Texas State is a 1½-point favorite.
Over/under: 65½ points.
Sunny and hot, with a high near 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Slight chance of thunderstorms after 4 p.m.
Week 1: at Texas: L, 59-7
Week 2: vs. UTSA, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 12 on CW
Week 3: vs. UNT, 11 a.m. Sept. 19 on USA
Week 4: vs. Incarnate Word, 5 p.m. Sept. 26 on USA
Week 5: at San Diego State, 9:30 p.m Oct. 3 on CW
Week 7: vs. Colorado State, 7 p.m. Oct. 15 OR Oct. 17 on CBS
Week 8: vs. Utah State, 6:30 p.m Oct. 24. on CBS
Week 9: at Boise State, 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31 on CW
Week 10: at Oregon State, 9 p.m. Nov. 7 on CW
Week 11: vs. Fresno State, 3 p.m. Nov. 14 on CW
Week 12: vs. Washington State, 5 p.m. Nov. 21 on USA
Week 13: at Colorado State (Flex), Nov. 28 TBD