UTSA and Texas meet Saturday in third game of five-match series at DKR Stadium

September 19, 2026

The Longhorns and Roadrunners will square off Saturday in the third of five scheduled meetings at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium that span 2022 to 2030. The series was arranged in part because of the schools’ proximity and competitive fit, a rationale highlighted when the agreement was announced.

Texas routed UTSA 56-7 in the 2024 meeting, scoring twice in every quarter on its way to a lopsided win. The first game in the series, played in 2022, was closer: UTSA led 3-0 after the opening quarter and the teams were tied 17-17 at halftime before Texas pulled away to win 41-20, while UTSA amassed 408 yards of total offense.

Texas enters the matchup off a dramatic victory over Ohio State and with what some consider one of its strongest rosters in recent seasons. UTSA, meanwhile, is coming off a comeback road win over Texas State, a 31-26 result that gave the Roadrunners their first I-35 Rivalry victory in three seasons.

UTSA coach Jeff Traylor framed the game as a coaching and execution challenge against a roster with superior athletes. He said preparing the team for the environment will not be an issue, the focus instead will be on executing a game plan that accounts for the talent gap and gives players realistic opportunities to succeed.

The series also carries a financial dimension for UTSA, which is set to receive a combined $8.52 million for the five games, per a 2019 newspaper article. Beyond that, the Roadrunners note institutional ties to Texas: 12 UTSA staff members have previously coached at, played for, or graduated from the University of Texas.

Veteran leadership is part of UTSA’s outlook. Fifth-year quarterback Owen McCown, who played at DKR in the 2024 meeting, said competing against top opponents appeals to players and is a motivating factor for the team.