'The fastest kid alive': 5 things to know about UTSA football, Texas State's I-35 rival
Texas State football can't afford to dwell on the 59-7 drubbing the Texas Longhorns handed it.
Not when UTSA visits for the home opener. The Bobcats have won the I-35 Rivalry two years in a row. They stomped the Roadrunners 49-10 in 2024 and notched a 43-36 win inside the Alamodome last season.
MORE:Texas State football usurping UTSA as premier G5 program raises stakes in I-35 Rivalry
The teams' familiarity goes far back. UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor and Texas State head coach GJ Kinne share a close bond that dates to Kinne's days playing quarterback for Traylor in high school. The two schools compete in recruiting across the state, and the back-and-forth between the fans has already begun on social media.
Here's what to know about Texas State's upcoming opponent:
Owen McCown back for Year 3
Back in Kinne's day at Tulsa, abut 15 years ago, a quarterback staying with one program for three seasons was relatively common. It's far from the norm nowadays.
UTSA quarterback Owen McCown is one of those rare three-year starters. He's thrown for 6,419 yards and 55 touchdowns as a Roadrunner. Rick Bowie is UTSA's new offensive coordinator and is said to incorporate a more vertical passing attack.
"You can kind of see how (McCown's) progressed each year," Kinne said.
McCown had one of the worst games of his career last time he visited UFCU Stadium in 2024, completing 10-of-23 passes for 105 yards and zero touchdowns. He did better this past year, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-43 attempts.
A talented secondary
UTSA's secondary showed out last week. Two Roadrunners, Nate Robinson Jr. and Ahamad Chapman, snagged interceptions in their season opener against UTRGV, with the latter returning his for a touchdown.
Elijah Newell and Cam Upshaw are other UTSA defenders to watch. The battle between Texas State's high-powered pass attack and UTSA's defense could be key to either team's victory.
He's a freak. He's the…
UTSA running back Will Henderson III is a big-play waiting to be unleashed. He ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run against the Vaqueros last week and averages 7.1 yards per carry for his career.
Texas State is familiar with Henderson's speed. The back had five carries for 49 yards in last year's I-35 Rivalry, and Kinne understands what could happen if the defense doesn't pay him proper respect.
"That running back is like, what's that movie where they talk about the fastest kid alive?" Kinne asked.
Shoutout Superbad.
History of the rivalry
Texas State is 2-5 all-time against UTSA, losing the first five matchups. But under Kinne, the Bobcats are 2-1, with the lone loss coming his first season.
The Roadrunners are notoriously hard to defeat at home; they're 34-5 inside the Alamodome under Traylor. Yet, UTSA has well-documented struggles on the road, going 18-21 during the same period. Texas State crushed UTSA 49-10 during its last visit in 2024.
A veteran group
UTSA had to rebuild its roster in the offseason, as many of its best players left through the transfer portal (a common theme for mid-major programs). Traylor had a specific type when sifting for potential transfers, focusing on veterans with a track record of contribution.
As a result, the Roadrunners' roster is the oldest in the nation, with an average age of 21.02 years. The philosophy is similar to Indiana's, as the 2025 national champion starting lineup consisted of 17 players in their fourth year of eligibility or more.
This article originally published at 'The fastest kid alive': 5 things to know about UTSA football, Texas State's I-35 rival.