When you think about "rivalries" in college football, your mind probably goes straight to the big-money clashes—the Iron Bowls or the Red River Shootouts. You probably aren't thinking about a school from the Texas Hill Country and a program nestled in the shadows of the Rockies. Honestly, though? You've been missing out.
The UTSA vs Colorado State matchup has quietly become one of the most physically punishing and unpredictable non-conference series in the Group of Five. It’s not just about two teams playing for a paycheck. It’s about two programs trying to prove they belong at the top of the food chain.
Most people look at the box scores and see a low-scoring affair or a missed kick. But if you actually watch the tape, you’ll see something different. You’ll see a chess match between two coaches, Jeff Traylor and Jay Norvell, who actually lived together once upon a time. Yeah, they were assistants at Texas back in the day. That personal history adds a layer of "I know what you're thinking" to every play call.
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The 2025 Heartbreaker in Fort Collins
If you didn’t stay up late for the September 20, 2025 clash at Canvas Stadium, you missed a clinic in grit. UTSA walked into Fort Collins and escaped with a 17-16 win that felt more like a bar fight than a football game.
It was weird. It was ugly. It was exactly what makes college football great. UTSA’s Robert Henry Jr. was basically the entire offense. He’s a workhorse. The guy put up 220 all-purpose yards, including a 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that left the CSU secondary looking at each other in confusion.
The ending, though? That was pure chaos. Colorado State’s Jackson Brousseau—who came in for a struggling Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi—marched the Rams 75 yards in the final minutes. He hit Rocky Beers for a 4-yard score with only 29 seconds left. The stadium was vibrating. Instead of kicking the extra point to tie (after a penalty moved the ball up), Norvell went for the throat. He went for two.
Tahj Bullock’s pass sailed out of bounds. Game over. UTSA won.
Breaking Down the Ground War
One thing people get wrong about UTSA vs Colorado State is the idea that it’s a typical "Air Raid" vs. "Run-Heavy" matchup. While Jay Norvell loves his "Air Raid" concepts, this series is consistently won in the trenches.
In that 2025 game, UTSA's defense was relentless. Nnanna Anyanwu was a nightmare, logging three sacks. When you can pressure the quarterback with just four guys, the game changes. Colorado State actually outgained UTSA in total yardage (407 to 345), but they couldn't finish. That's been the story of this matchup lately: UTSA finds a way to win the "unsexy" parts of the game.
Performance Comparison: The 2025 Showdown
- Rushing Attack: Robert Henry Jr. (UTSA) was the star with 144 yards on 21 carries. CSU countered with Lloyd Avant, who had a respectable 96 yards.
- Quarterback Play: Owen McCown (UTSA) threw for 173 yards and a score but got picked off twice. On the other side, Fowler-Nicolosi was benched after a 132-yard outing, making way for Brousseau's late-game heroics.
- Third Down Efficiency: This is where the game was won. UTSA's defense stood tall when it mattered, holding CSU to just 16 points despite numerous trips into Roadrunner territory.
The 2026 Rematch: What to Expect in San Antonio
Mark your calendars for September 26, 2026. The scene shifts to the Alamodome. If history tells us anything, the UTSA vs Colorado State return leg is going to be even more intense.
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San Antonio in late September is a different beast. The humidity inside the Dome, the "Birds Up" energy—it’s a tough place for a Mountain West team to visit. Colorado State is going to be looking for revenge for that failed two-point conversion. They feel like they let one slip away.
We’re likely going to see a more mature Jackson Brousseau or a revitalized Fowler-Nicolosi. For UTSA, the question is whether they can find another Robert Henry-type playmaker once the current stars move on. Jeff Traylor has a knack for finding "overlooked" Texas talent, so don't bet against them.
Why This Game Matters for the Group of Five
We often talk about the "Power Four," but games like UTSA vs Colorado State are the lifeblood of the sport. These are the games that determine who gets those precious at-large bids or a spot in the expanded playoff.
Both these teams are consistently near the top of their respective conferences (the American and the Mountain West). Winning these cross-conference games is about branding. It’s about showing the committee that your conference plays a tougher brand of football.
Critical Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Trenches: Don't just watch the receivers. In this series, the team that wins the line of scrimmage wins the game. Period.
- The "Traylor Effect": Jeff Traylor has built a culture of "210 Triangle of Toughness." It’s real. You see it in the fourth quarter when UTSA players seem to have an extra gear.
- Coaching Connections: Keep an eye on the sidelines. The mutual respect—and competitive fire—between Traylor and Norvell is palpable. They know each other’s tendencies too well.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're planning on following the UTSA vs Colorado State rivalry into 2026, here is what you need to do:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Both schools are active here. Look for who picks up a veteran defensive tackle or a game-breaking wideout in the spring.
- Check the Injury Reports: Specifically in the secondary. As we saw in 2025, one missed assignment on a 74-yard pass can flip the entire game.
- Follow San Antonio Sports Media: Local outlets like The Paisano or KENS 5 often get the best "under-the-hood" quotes from Traylor that you won't find on national feeds.
The beauty of UTSA vs Colorado State is that it’s still fresh. It hasn't been ruined by decades of corporate sponsorship or over-saturation. It’s just good, hard-nosed football between two programs that genuinely don't like losing to one another. Whether you're a Roadrunner or a Ram, this is a date you don't circle—you highlight it in neon.