📌 Disclaimer:

The following post is a work of fiction created for entertainment purposes within the video game universe of College Football 26. All characters, events, and storylines — including Coach Clay “Stonewall” Merritt, Frankie “The Horn” Calderón, and their journey with the UTSA Roadrunners — are entirely fictional and not affiliated with the NCAA, UTSA, or EA Sports. This series is fan-made and meant to celebrate the spirit of college football storytelling.

50 Miles of Highway and Hate: UTSA and Texas State Bring 1-0 Records to the 7th Annual I-35 Rivalry Game

Juvenile Breed of Hate

While the rivalry that exists between the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas State University does not have the historical gravitas of matchups like Auburn vs. Alabama or Michigan vs. Ohio State, the other difference—besides the relative lack of history—is that those other rivalries are separated by 160 and 180 miles respectively, over three times the distance that separates the cities of San Antonio and San Marcos.

This 50-mile stretch may as well be a portal into different worlds and ways of life. The urban backdrop and history of the Alamo naturally pit UTSA as the larger, uppity city slicker compared to the hills and countryside of the San Marcos area.

The proximity forces these people to acknowledge each other and build a sense of loathing. It creates a mirror image that each program can see in the other.

It all started in 2008 on the volleyball and basketball courts, long before either school could boast a Division I football program. That led to 2012, when both schools jumped to FBS—UTSA moved to the WAC (Western Athletic Conference), and Texas State moved to the Sun Belt. The first-ever matchup on the gridiron ended with a Roadrunner victory, 38–31, and that was where the rivalry was left for nearly a decade.

The Bobcats were forced to cry in their rolling hills over never having the chance to make up for their in-state loss—until 2017, when the series was renewed for a 44–17 whooping in San Marcos to put UTSA ahead 2–0. The game has been played four more times, and only once has Texas State been able to claim victory—and that was last season, before Clay Merritt took this Roadrunner program to the next level.

Both teams being 1–0 on the season is promising. Like Clay Merritt, Coach G.J. Kinne of Texas State is attempting to build a team that can consistently win in their conference, become a playoff contender, and eventually garner the title of G5 powerhouse.

Texas State 38, Eastern Michigan 34

It was a high-scoring opener for the Bobcats as they hosted MAC opponent Eastern Michigan to start the 2025 season. In reality, the game’s score was closer thanks to a surge at the end, but it was a Texas State show for the most part.

The Bobcats held serve with 22 first downs to only 15 for the Eagles and tallied over 400 yards passing. Their defense did show a weakness that Eastern Michigan could exploit: the running game. Eastern Michigan averaged 7 yards per carry and totaled 148 rushing yards.

The Bobcats will hope that the three-headed offensive monster of their quarterback Holden Geriner, running back Lincoln Pale, and receiver Mavin Anderson can carry the load. Geriner connected with Anderson 8 times for 129 yards and 2 of the four passing touchdowns. Geriner had a solid day after throwing an early pick; he finished 32-of-48 for 403 yards and 4 TDs.

The offense is also hoping for a bounce-back performance from their defense, which had the dubious honor of having its safeties lead the team in tackles for the game. There is always some mystical element to these rivalry games; however, comparing how each team played in Week 1, this one heavily favors UTSA and Clay Merritt’s squad.

Breakouts in Week 1

The Roadrunners are coming off the biggest win in program history—a 49–3 road victory in SEC territory, taking down the #21-ranked Texas A&M Aggies. Monumental. And they should build a statue for Clay “Stonewall” Merritt, if he can do what many other college coaches have been trying and failing to do for years:

How do you keep a team consistent after doing something they never dreamed was possible?

Will the team respond to the methods that got them the most notoriety in school history, or will they see themselves as a finished product because—how could they top what they did?

If the team responds, we will see Owen McCown look to follow up on a 300-yard game and a 15-of-19 day. He has his horse in the backfield to rely on—one who should be salivating over the prospect of a weak run defense. Robert Henry Jr. ran all over the Aggies last week. He amassed 123 yards on 16 carries and scored five times.

Who, you might ask, will stop the Bobcats from lighting up the scoreboard? Remember Kendrick Blackshire? The senior middle linebacker tallied 13 tackles, 3 for loss, and 1.5 sacks—plus his fellow defensive unit that sacked the QB 9.5 times. There should be worry and apprehension in San Marcos this week.

Frankie’s Final Horn

Barring cosmic interference, we’ll discuss a 2–0 start for UTSA—their first since 2020.

Now, it’s all good, but I think what we in Roadrunner Nation—and those following this Rise of the Roadrunners series—are looking for is a reason to believe that cosmic interference no longer has bearing on this team.

We shouldn’t have to hope for good or bad; this team has been working to become the ship. Like the stoic teachers of the past, we know we cannot control the storm—only how we steer in response.

Roadrunners win 42–0.