After a 2-hour, 34-minute weather delay before kickoff, the (RV) University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros capped the winningest inaugural season in FCS history with a 33–14 victory over the East Texas A&M Lions on Saturday at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium.

UTRGV sold out all seven home games this season, drawing 12,320 fans on Saturday and finishing with a total home attendance of 87,774—10th best in the FCS. The Vaqueros averaged 12,539 fans per game, ranking 16th nationally.

Among the 11 programs that have launched from scratch at the NCAA DI-AA/FCS level since 1978, UTRGV stands alone as the only team to go undefeated at home (7–0), win more than seven total games (nine), and record more than five victories against FCS opponents (six).

UTRGV (9–3, 5–3 SLC) ends its inaugural campaign tied for third in the Southland Conference with No. 19 Lamar (8–4, 5–3).

Graduate student Nathan Denney powered the offense with 26 carries for a career-high 158 yards—his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Senior Eddie Lee Marburger completed 17 of 22 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Ismael Smith Flores matched his career high with four receptions for 37 yards and a score. On defense, graduate student Spencer Rich posted a game-high 13 tackles (five solo), including one for loss, along with a pass breakup and quarterback hurry.

Trailing 7–0 late in the first quarter, senior Logic Hudgens jump-started the Vaqueros with a 52-yard pick-six—his first career touchdown and fourth career interception.

UTRGV then scored on all three of its second-quarter possessions, beginning with a 12-play, 91-yard drive capped by a 20-yard touchdown strike from Marburger to Smith Flores. Two field goals from sophomore Brysen Gardner extended the lead to 20–7 at halftime. Gardner added a third field goal in the third quarter, and Marburger connected with freshman Kyran Lee for a 4-yard touchdown early in the fourth. Gardner later booted his career-high fourth field goal to make it 33–7.

East Texas A&M (3–9, 3–5 SLC) opened the game with an 18-play, 80-yard drive, finishing with a 1-yard touchdown run by EJ Oakmon—marking the first time UTRGV had trailed at home. The Lions added a late touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Jack Jacobs to Tyler Daniels.

Week 13 Southland Conference Scoreboard

Nov. 20
Nicholls 26 @ #20 Southeastern 38
#13 Stephen F. Austin 62 @ Northwestern State 14

Nov. 22
UIW 31 @ Houston Christian University 10
McNeese 21 @ #19 Lamar 19
East Texas A&M 14 @ (RV) UTRGV 33

Southland Conference Standings