UTSA-Texas State coaches and players may not admit it, but rivalry growing

SAN ANTONIO – For the better part of the week, the head coaches and football players from UTSA and Texas State have dismissed Saturday's showdown in San Marcos as a true rivalry game, but it's time for both to admit the game means something more than just a win or loss in the standings.

It's been five years since the Bobcats and Roadrunners have met in football when they were members of the Western Athletic Conference.

Both programs have gone their own way and forged their own path in large part due to conference realignment, but have always kept an eye on the other.

An 8-game series over the next decade was announced in 2014 and since then alums, fans and supporters have waited patiently for this highly anticipated matchup. Highly anticipated? Yes. Rivalry game? Well that depends on you ask.

Both fan bases have waged a war of words, but the coaches and players have done their best to downplay the matchup as a true rivalry, at least for now.

“I think this could build into being one. I think the things that coach has said, it’s hard to call it a rivalry after one game, and I understand that, but we embrace the challenge, the game and all that comes with it,” UTSA head coach Frank Wilson said.

“Usually, when I think of the word rivalry, I think of years of history,” Texas State head coach Everett Withers said. “I don’t mean to disrespect what everyone is trying to say about the Texas State-UTSA rivalry, I just think it has to grow into that.”

One game does not make a rivalry, but there has been a decidedly different feel this week for both teams leading up to the game. 

The campuses are separated by only 54 miles. Both programs compete in Group of Five conferences, which in turn means they compete for similar recruits and exposure in the South Central Texas area. 

Players from both teams grew up with and know one another. There may little football history between the schools, but the players understand what the game means in the long run.

“School-wise, Roadrunners don’t really like Bobcats, Bobcats don’t like the Roadrunners, that's just how it is,” UTSA linebacker Josiah Taueafa said. “Football-wise, there’s not much of a rivalry there. I think it’s just the history of the schools, just naturally don’t like each other.” 

“I feel like the players try to stay out of it,” Texas State safety A.J. Krawcyzk said. “It’s smart to stay out of it and just play football. Let the fans take care of it.”

A near sellout crowd is expected at Bobcat Stadium. Bragging rights are on the line for at least a year, even if the coaches want to keep the focus on the field. 

“What we’ve done is really try and take the name off a helmet or the logo off a uniform and say here’s our opponent next week, let's go play,” Withers said. “Let’s go get better as football players and be the best version of us on Saturday.” 

“I’m hoping for a great game day atmosphere and an opportunity to compete against a quality team. I think it will be fun,” Wilson said.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos.