Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to Stephenville lately, you’ve missed one of the most absurdly fast climbs in college football history. Most people still think of Tarleton State as that small-town school with the "Plowboys" nickname from sixty years ago. They’re wrong. Today, the Tarleton State Texans football program is a legitimate FCS powerhouse that just finished a 12-2 season in 2025, reaching the playoff quarterfinals and making established programs look slow.
It’s kinda wild.
Just a few years back, they were grinding in Division II. Now? They’re beating FBS teams like Army in double-overtime and packing a stadium that holds more people than the actual population of their town. It isn't just luck. It's a calculated, aggressive takeover of the Texas football landscape that has everyone from Conference USA to the Sun Belt looking over their shoulders.
The Army Win and the 2025 Explosion
The turning point—the moment the rest of the country realized Tarleton wasn't just "happy to be here" in Division I—happened on a Friday night in West Point. On August 29, 2025, the Texans walked into Michie Stadium and took down Army 30-27. In two overtimes. Army went on to beat Kansas State later that year, which basically tells you all you need to know about the caliber of football Todd Whitten is coaching.
That win wasn't a fluke.
By the time the 2025 season wrapped up, the Texans were sitting at 12-2. They shared the United Athletic Conference (UAC) title with Abilene Christian and were slotted at No. 6 in the final national rankings. They didn't just make the playoffs; they dismantled North Dakota 31-13 in the second round before falling in a 26-21 heartbreaker to Villanova.
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Think about that. Tarleton became the first team since Troy in 1993 to hit the quarterfinals in one of their first two years of playoff eligibility. It’s unprecedented.
By the Numbers: The 2025 Statistical Dominance
The offense was basically a video game. They averaged 42.4 points per game. You read that right. While most teams struggle to move the chains, Tarleton was racking up 457.6 yards of total offense every Saturday.
- Victor Gabalis (QB): The man became Tarleton’s all-time passing leader, finishing his career with 8,272 yards and 71 touchdowns. In 2025 alone, he threw for 30 scores.
- The Ground Game: They didn't just throw. Tre Page III and James Paige combined for over 1,300 rushing yards. They had 34 rushing touchdowns as a unit.
- The Defense: Tyrone Nix’s crew was a nightmare. They forced 24 interceptions in 14 games. If you threw the ball near a Texan DB, there was a decent chance it was going the other way.
Why Memorial Stadium is a Problem for Opponents
Stephenville has a population of about 21,000. Memorial Stadium now seats 24,000.
Basically, the entire town and then some show up to scream.
The school spent $26 million on renovations in 2019 and followed it up with another expansion in 2022 to add permanent end zone seating. They set an all-time attendance record on October 18, 2025, against West Georgia with 24,012 fans. That environment is why they went 7-1 at home last year. It’s loud, it’s purple, and it’s intimidating.
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It also helps that the university is the fastest-growing in Texas. Enrollment has surged past 21,000 students. When you have that kind of momentum behind a program, the "small school" labels start to feel pretty silly.
What’s Changing in 2026?
The landscape is shifting again. Starting July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) is officially rebranding its all-sports identity into the United Athletic Conference (UAC). Tarleton is a founding member of this new era.
Coach Todd Whitten, now entering his 17th season, isn't slowing down. He recently brought in Chris Ross as the new Offensive Coordinator for 2026 to keep that "Pro Spread" scheme evolving.
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a gauntlet:
- Aug 29: Prairie View A&M (Home)
- Sept 5: At Bowling Green (Another FBS shot)
- Oct 3: Chicago State (The "Legends Game")
- Nov 7: The "Lone Star" rematch against Abilene Christian
The goal isn't just another winning season. The goal is a National Championship.
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The Texans are currently pulling in some of the highest-ranked transfer portal classes in the FCS. They aren't just recruiting high school kids; they are snagging talent from the Big Ten and the Big 12 who want to play in an explosive system where they can actually win rings.
Is the FBS Jump Next?
This is the question every fan in Stephenville is asking.
The university has the stadium. They have the 130-million-dollar EECU Center for basketball. They have the enrollment. They have the "Turn-it-over Texans" defense that can compete with anyone. While Conference USA skipped over them for Missouri State and Delaware recently, the resume Tarleton is building is becoming impossible to ignore.
They’ve proven they can beat the FBS (Army, New Mexico State). They’ve proven they can dominate the FCS.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking to follow or back the Tarleton State Texans football program in 2026, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Home/Away Spreads: Tarleton is significantly more dominant in Stephenville. The crowd energy at Memorial Stadium consistently leads to fourth-quarter surges that stats alone don't explain.
- Monitor the New OC: With Chris Ross taking the reins of the offense, expect a slightly different tempo. If the chemistry with the incoming portal QBs clicks early, the "Over" on their point totals will be a frequent flyer.
- The October Gauntlet: The UAC schedule in October is where this team traditionally makes its move. This is the window where they usually cover the spread and solidify their playoff seeding.
The days of Tarleton being an underdog are over. They are the benchmark now. If you’re heading to a game, get your tickets early—because in Stephenville, the stadium is quite literally bigger than the town, and it still sells out.
To stay ahead of the curve on the 2026 season, start by tracking the spring ball depth chart. The quarterback battle to replace Gabalis will be the single most important factor in whether Tarleton returns to the quarterfinals or finally pushes through to the Frisco championship game. Keep a close eye on the early August camp reports for news on the "Lone Star" rivalry conditioning—that November 7th matchup against Abilene Christian will likely decide the conference once again.