The Alamodome is UTSA’s sanctuary. The Roadrunners are rather unfamiliar with the concept of losing within the confines of the 32-year old building. They entered Saturday with a 10-game win streak at the venue, faring 29-3 at home under head coach Jeff Traylor.
But all bets are off in a heated rivalry game. The Texas State Bobcats became the first team to siege the Alamodome in almost two full calendar years, outlasting UTSA in a thrilling 43-36 shootout which produced 951 yards of offense in front
of the third-largest crowd in Roadrunner history. After UTSA won the first five installments in the relatively new I-35 Rivalry, Texas State now rides a two-game win streak in the annual non-conference series.
Although there were 10 touchdowns in San Antonio, the scoring started with a special teams safety. An errant snap on a UTSA punt caused punter Caile Hogan to bat the ball out of the end zone, providing Texas State a 2-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest. Given the potency of the offenses, this was expected to be a 60-minute shootout, but the score remained 2-0 at the closure of the first frame.
The fireworks finally entered the building in a second quarter which featured 31 combined points. After both rivals traded two touchdowns apiece in the period, Texas State ended the first half on a 50-yard Tyler Robles field goal to lead 19-14 at the break.
Last week, UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. opened the third quarter at Texas A&M with a 75-yard touchdown run. This week, he nearly did the same. On the second snap after halftime, the star running broke loose for another 75-yard scamper to the house — providing UTSA its first lead of the 2025 season. That’s when the explosive playmaking between the teams initiated as Texas State completed a slew of deep balls while the Roadrunners countered with long runs.
Texas State recaptured a 26-21 lead at the 11:35 mark of the third quarter — three minutes after Henry’s long run — on a 17-yard Jaylen Jenkins sprint. Less than four minutes passed before Henry pushed UTSA back in front, securing a 4-yard reception in the flats from lefty quarterback Owen McCown. Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson then delivered a 56-yard deep shot to Chris Dawn Jr., setting Robles up for a go-ahead field goal for the fourth scoring drive of the quarter.
The offenses refused to slow down in the early fourth quarter. Jackson called his own number on a QB keeper in the first minute of the final stanza, increasing Texas State’s lead to 36-28. However, UTSA remained in striking distance and Traylor knew who to call. Henry read his linemen and perfectly navigated through a sea of white jerseys for a 30-yard touchdown run, his second of the day. McCown then found his favorite target Devin McCuin on the 2-point try, knotting the game at 38 apiece with over 10 minutes of life left in the clock.
Knowing how the offenses moved Saturday at the Alamodome, it was no surprise the score changed exactly one snap later. Brad Jackson launched a deep shot to Beau Sparks, who outraced UTSA’s defense to become the furthest man down the field. Sparks, who snagged four touchdown grabs in Week 1, got his fifth of the season on the 65-yard play. The FBS touchdown receptions leader provided the final blow with 10:08 remaining, giving Texas State a 43-36 lead that would not be relinquished. UTSA received three opportunities to match the Bobcats, but the orange jerseys never crossed the 50-yard line in those final 10 minutes.
A slew of statistical masterclasses were recorded at the Alamodome. Brad Jackson only completed 12-of-20 passing attempts, yet he fired for 286 yards in those limited tries. The Texas State quarterback connected on four strikes of 53 yards or greater in the victory, as Beau Sparks registered 155 receiving yards on five catches and Chris Dawn Jr. added 109 on two.
Even in a losing effort, Robert Henry Jr. delivered a performance to remember. The running back generated 159 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, securing his fourth-straight finish over 150 yards dating back to the end of 2024. Henry is currently the FBS leader in rushing with 336 yards, and he moved into seventh in program history in career yards Saturday.
But the day belonged to Texas State which maintains the I-35 Rivalry trophy for the second consecutive year. The Bobcats improve to a perfect 2-0 after a scorching offensive start, averaging 47.5 points through two weeks. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners fall to 0-2 after a difficult starting slate to 2025, hoping to rebuild a new home win streak when FCS Incarnate Word visits next Saturday.
