2025 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros football team

2025 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros football
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record0–0 (0–0 Southland)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJeff Bowen (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorBrian Gamble (1st season)
Home stadiumRobert and Janet Vackar Stadium
2025 Southland Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Texas A&M   0 0     0 0  
Houston Christian   0 0     0 0  
No. 5 Incarnate Word   0 0     0 0  
Lamar   0 0     0 0  
McNeese   0 0     0 0  
Nicholls   0 0     0 0  
Northwestern State   0 0     0 0  
Southeastern Louisiana   0 0     0 0  
No. 23 Stephen F. Austin   0 0     0 0  
  0 0     0 0  
As of August 20, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros football team will represent the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) as a member of the Southland Conference (SLC) in the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The 2025 season will be the inaugural season for UTRGV football. The Vaqueros will be led by first-year head coach Travis Bush, and play their home games at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg, Texas.[1]

The Vaqueros will be considered full FCS members and will be eligible for postseason play immediately.[2]

Personnel

2025 UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Gunner Naivar  Fr
QB 2 Atzel Chavez Jr.  Fr
QB 3 Aidan Jakobsohn  Fr
WR 4 Xayvion Noland  So
WR 5 Justin Herman  So
RB 6 Brennan Carroll  Fr
TE 8 Ismael Smith-Flores  So
QB 9 Jaxon Baize Fr
WR 10 Cameron Glenn  Fr
WR 11 Tavian Cord  Jr
QB 12 Eddie Lee Marburger  Sr
WR 14 Tony Diaz  Fr
WR 15 Hunter Luke  So
QB 17 Jayden Paluseo Fr
WR 18 Kyran Lee  Fr
WR 19 Javien Cuff GS
RB 20 TJ Dement  Fr
RB 24 Fabian Garcia  Fr
RB 26 Broderick Taylor Fr
RB 28 Jamal Polley  Fr
RB 32 Nathan Denney GS
RB 34 Djouvensky Schlenbaker  Jr
OL 50 Luis Gonzalez Sr
OL 55 Abram Nicklas Jr
OL 57 Nick Hughes  Fr
OL 59 TK Mina  Jr
OL 62 Jose Gonzalez-Vargas  Fr
OL 64 Cole Molina Fr
OL 65 Qai Smith  So
OL 66 Vicente Hughes GS
OL 68 Blake Zeller  Fr
OL 70 Frank Medina  So
OL 71 Kingsley Ejiofor GS
OL 72 Tate Davis  Fr
OL 73 Gannon Lauer  Jr
OL 74 Grayson Zuma Fr
OL 75 Roman Hernandez  Fr
OL 76 Mehkhi Blue  Fr
OL 77 Thomas Domian  So
OL 78 Brenden Jones  Fr
OL 79 Wes Thompson  So
WR 80 Corey Holmes Fr
WR 81 Christian Sabsook  Fr
WR 82 Keilan Sweeny Fr
WR 83 Sergio Aparicio  Fr
WR 84 Zion Brown  Fr
TE 85 Nathan Luschen  Fr
TE 86 Noah Staples  Sr
WR 87 Claudio Torres Fr
TE 88 Jaxson Shupe  Fr
TE 89 Mateo Grajeda  Fr
TE 94 Brendon Ray Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
LB 0 Jaxson Maynard  Fr
DB 1 Alijah Prosser  Fr
DB 2 TJ Neal  Jr
DB 3 Logic Hudgens  Sr
DB 4 Marcus Heard Jr.  Jr
DB 6 Keion Bryant  Jr
DE 7 DaCorien Thompson  Fr
DB 8 Elijah Graham  Sr
DE 9 Ian Box  Jr
DB 10 Jaden Adkins  Fr
CB 16 Austin Trimble GS
S 17 Keamonie Archie  So
DB 21 Nolan White  Fr
DB 22 Dorian Blackwell  Sr
LB 23 Jaiden Haygood  Fr
DB 25 Marcus Malvoisin GS
DB 26 Shane Werner  Fr
DB 27 Andrew Earls Fr
DB 28 Jaden Pettway  Fr
DB 29 Oscar Nnanna  Fr
LB 30 Tyler Day  Fr
DB 31 Gavin Collins  Fr
LB 33 Landen Gaskamp  Fr
DB 35 Carter Hewitt  Fr
DB 36 Nicholas Peace  Fr
DB 38 Jarius Williams  Fr
LB 40 Caleb Warren  Fr
DE 41 Connor Carrigan  So
DL 42 Nathan Huerta  Jr
DB 43 Kayden Cooper  Fr
LB 44 Warren Shankle GS
LB 45 Spencer Rich GS
LB 46 Michael Lucien GS
DE 47 Amari Pouncy GS
LB 48 Trey Bright  Fr
DE 49 Ja'Marcus Anderson  Fr
DE 51 Tayshaun Davis Fr
DE 53 Seyyid Smith Jr
DL 54 Lathan Morse Jr
LB 56 Jackson Waid  Fr
DE 58 Abdon Mata  Fr
DL 60 Vernon Green  Fr
DL 61 Abram Garcia  Fr
DL 63 Jayden House Jr
DL 69 D'Andre Harwell  Fr
DL 90 Jaden Wincher  Fr
DE 91 Withchiel Falimar Jr
DE 92 David Nwabouku Fr
DE 93 Percy Jackson III  Jr
DL 95 Andrew Arriola  So
DL 98 Jack Harwell Fr
DL 99 Nicholas Fernandez  So
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
P 5 Ty Bush Fr
K 37 Troop O'Neal  Fr
K 39 Brysen Gardner  So
P 43 William Rogalinski  Fr
LS 52 Connor Cortez  So
K 96 Jose Contreras  Fr
P 97 Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling  Jr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Jeff Bowen (offensive coordinator/offensive line)
  • Brian Gamble (defensive coordinator/linebackers)
  • Marcus Coleman (special teams coordinator/cornerbacks)
  • Mike Barela (tight ends)
  • Gunnar Henderson (wide receivers)
  • Nate Langford (defensive line)
  • James Lockhart IV (outside linebackers)
  • Adrian McDonald (passing game coordinator/safeties)
  • Marco Regalado (running backs)
  • Mike Schultz (senior offensive assistant)
  • John Simmons (director of football operations/administrator)
  • Don Sommer (head football strength and conditioning)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Redshirt

Roster
Last update: July 31, 2025

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResult
August 307:00 p.m.Sul Ross*ESPN+
September 66:00 pmat Prairie View A&M*SWAC TV
September 137:00 p.m.Langston*
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+
September 207:00 p.m.Texas Wesleyan*
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+
September 276:00 pmat Southeastern LouisianaESPN+
October 47:00 p.m.Houston Christian
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+
October 183:00 pmat LamarESPN+
October 257:00 p.m.Incarnate Word
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+
November 16:00 p.m.at Stephen F. AustinESPN+
November 85:00 p.m.Nicholls
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+
November 156:00 p.m.at McNeeseESPN+
November 225:00 p.m.East Texas A&M
  • Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium
  • Edinburg, TX
ESPN+

[3]

Game summaries

Sul Ross (DII)

Sul Ross Lobos (DII) at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Lobos (DII) 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics SRS UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Sul Ross Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Prairie View A&M

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Prairie View A&M Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Vaqueros 0
Panthers 0

at Panther Stadium at Blackshear Field, Prairie View, Texas

  • Date: September 6
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UTRGV PVAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Prairie View A&M Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Langston (NAIA)

Langston Lions (NAIA) at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Lions (NAIA) 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: September 13
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics LANG UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Langston Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Texas Wesleyan (NAIA)

Texas Wesleyan Rams (NAIA) at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Rams (NAIA) 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: September 20
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics TWU UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Texas Wesleyan Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Southeastern Louisiana

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Southeastern Louisiana Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Vaqueros 0
Lions 0

at Strawberry Stadium, Hammond, Louisiana

  • Date: September 27
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UTRGV SELA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Southeastern Louisiana Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Houston Christian

Houston Christian Huskies at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Huskies 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: October 4
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics HCU UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Houston Christian Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Lamar

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Lamar Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Vaqueros 0
Cardinals 0

at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, Texas

  • Date: October 18
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UTRGV LAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Lamar Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Incarnate Word

Incarnate Word Cardinals at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cardinals 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: October 25
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UIW UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Incarnate Word Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Stephen F. Austin

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Vaqueros 0
Lumberjacks 0

at Homer Bryce Stadium, Nacogdoches, Texas

  • Date: November 1
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UTRGV SFA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Stephen F. Austin Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Nicholls

Nicholls Colonels at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Colonels 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: November 8
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics NICH UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nicholls Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At McNeese

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros at McNeese Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Vaqueros 0
Cowboys 0

at Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, Louisiana

  • Date: November 15
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics UTRGV MCN
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving
McNeese Passing
Rushing
Receiving

East Texas A&M

East Texas A&M Lions at UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Lions 0
Vaqueros 0

at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas

  • Date: November 22
  • TV: ESPN+
Statistics ETAM UTRGV
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
East Texas A&M Passing
Rushing
Receiving
UT Rio Grande Valley Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. ^ Doyle, KJ (February 4, 2025). "First-look at UTRGV's football schedule for the 2025 season". KRGV-TV. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  2. ^ Kroeger, Garrett (April 13, 2024). "UTRGV football is set to host camp in Laredo on June 10". Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "2025 Football Schedule". UTRGV Athletics. Retrieved February 10, 2025.