Texas is big. Like, really big. When you drive down I-35 from Austin to San Antonio, you’re basically cutting through the heart of a football obsession that defines the state. For a long time, the Texas vs UTSA football matchup didn't even exist. It was a theoretical "what if" discussed in sports bars and on message boards. But now? It’s a recurring reality that highlights the massive gap—and the surprising tension—between the blue-blood establishment and the scrappy upstart.
Most people look at the scoreboard and see a lopsided affair. They aren't necessarily wrong. When these two teams met in September 2024, the Longhorns put on a clinic, winning 56-7. But honestly, if you only look at the final score, you're missing the point of why this game matters for the future of Texas recruiting and regional pride.
The Arch Manning breakout game
You probably remember where you were when Quinn Ewers went down with an abdominal injury in the 2024 game. It felt like the air sucked right out of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Then, in walked Arch Manning.
What followed was basically a highlight reel that went viral before the game even ended. Manning didn't just manage the game; he shredded the Roadrunners. He finished with four passing touchdowns and a 67-yard rushing score that had people comparing him to his uncle Peyton—if Peyton actually had track speed.
- Manning's Stat Line: 9-of-12 for 223 yards.
- The Run: That 67-yarder was the longest by a Texas QB since Vince Young.
- The Depth: Texas finished with 614 total yards of offense.
UTSA didn't have an answer. They’re a proud program, but the sheer speed of the Longhorns' wideouts like Isaiah Bond and Ryan Wingo was just too much. Wingo caught a 75-yard bomb from Manning that basically signaled the end of any competitive spirit in that particular contest.
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Why UTSA keeps taking these games
You might wonder why a program like UTSA, which has been incredibly successful in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), would agree to get beat up by a top-5 team in Austin. It’s about the money and the "eyes," basically.
Jeff Traylor has built something special in San Antonio. He's a legendary former high school coach from East Texas who knows every recruiter in the state. By playing Texas, he gets his kids on a national stage. Even in a 49-point loss, the Roadrunners get to show recruits that they aren't afraid of the big stage. Plus, the payout for these non-conference "buy games" helps fund the entire UTSA athletic department for the year.
It’s a lopsided trade, sure. But for a program that only started playing football in 2011, being on the same field as the Longhorns is a massive branding win.
The 2022 scare nobody talks about anymore
Everyone remembers the 2024 blowout, but the 2022 game was a completely different story for about 30 minutes. UTSA actually led that game 17-7 in the second quarter. Frank Harris, the legendary Roadrunner QB, was making plays, and the Texas defense looked completely lost.
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It took a 78-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson to finally wake the Longhorns up. That game ended 41-20, but the tension in the stadium was real. It proved that if Texas doesn't show up focused, the Roadrunners have the talent to make things very uncomfortable.
Series History at a Glance
- Overall Record: Texas leads 2-0.
- 2022 Score: Texas 41, UTSA 20.
- 2024 Score: Texas 56, UTSA 7.
- Next Matchup: September 19, 2026, in Austin.
What to expect in 2026 and beyond
The Texas vs UTSA football rivalry isn't going away. They are scheduled to meet again on September 19, 2026. By then, the landscape will look totally different. Texas will be fully entrenched in the SEC, and UTSA will likely be trying to maintain its spot as a premier Group of Five power.
The 2026 game is sandwiched between a massive home game against Ohio State and a road trip to Tennessee. This is the classic "trap game" scenario. If Steve Sarkisian's squad is still riding a high (or nursing a hangover) from the Ohio State game, UTSA could hang around longer than Longhorn fans would like.
The recruiting battleground
Texas is a big state, but the talent pool is finite. UTSA has made a living off of "the guys Texas didn't want." These are 3-star recruits who play with a massive chip on their shoulder.
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When these teams meet, it's personal. Half the guys on the UTSA sideline probably grew up wanting a Longhorn scholarship that never came. That energy is why the first half of these games is usually much more physical than your average Power 4 vs Group of 5 matchup.
Actionable insights for fans
If you're planning on attending or betting on the next installment of this series, keep these things in mind:
- Check the "Hangover" Factor: Always look at who Texas played the week before. If they just finished a brutal SEC rivalry game, the point spread for the UTSA game might be too high.
- Watch the QB Depth: As we saw in 2024, the backup QB for Texas is often a future NFL starter. The drop-off isn't as big as you'd think.
- San Antonio Travel: If you're a Roadrunner fan, get your tickets early. UTSA fans travel incredibly well for this game, often turning sections of DKR into a sea of orange and navy.
- Monitor the Portal: UTSA's roster fluctuates wildly because of the transfer portal. Success often means their best players get "poached" by bigger schools, making it harder for them to build the depth needed to compete for four quarters against Texas.
The gap between these programs is wide, but in the world of Texas football, anything can happen on a Saturday in Austin.