RIO GRANDE VALLEY – For the seventh time this season and sixth week in a row, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) football program is receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl.
The Vaqueros earned nine points in the week 11 poll after previously receiving 10 points in week 10, 25 points in the week 9, seven in week 8, 10 in week 7, four in week 6, and five in week 4.
At 7-3, UTRGV has clinched a winning season and become the first of the 11 football programs to start from scratch at the NCAA DI-AA (1978-2005)/FCS (2006-Present) level since Division I college football split into two levels in 1978 to win seven games while playing a schedule that includes NCAA Division I competition. UTRGV's only losses were on the road at No. 14 Lamar, No. 17 Stephen F. Austin, and No. 21 Southeastern.
AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, presented by Hudl – November 10, 2025
| Rank |
School (1st votes) |
Rec. |
Pts. |
Prev. |
Week 11 |
Next Game |
| 1 |
North Dakota St. (23) |
10-0 |
599 |
1 |
D. No. 15 North Dakota, 15-10 |
Nov. 15 vs. Northern Iowa |
| 2 |
Montana (1) |
10-0 |
573 |
2 |
D. Eastern Washington, 29-24 |
Nov. 15 at Portland St. |
| 3 |
Montana St. |
8-2 |
527 |
3 |
D. Weber St., 66-14 |
Nov. 15 vs. No. 10 UC Davis |
| 4 |
Lehigh |
10-0 |
514 |
4 |
D. Holy Cross, 38-3 |
Nov. 15 at Colgate |
| 5 |
Tarleton St. |
9-1 |
480 |
7 |
Idle |
Nov. 15 vs. North Alabama |
| 6 |
Tennessee Tech |
10-0 |
473 |
5 |
D. Eastern Illinois, 21-9 |
Nov. 15 at Kentucky |
| 7 |
Villanova |
7-2 |
441 |
8 |
D. Towson, 28-10 |
Nov. 15 vs. Stony Brook |
| 8 |
Mercer |
8-1 |
423 |
10t |
D. No. 24 Western Carolina, 49-47 |
Nov. 15 vs. Chattanooga |
| 9 |
Rhode Island |
8-2 |
379 |
10t |
D. Elon, 34-20 |
Nov. 15 at Maine |
| 10 |
UC Davis |
7-2 |
367 |
12 |
D. Idaho, 28-14 |
Nov. 15 at No. 3 Montana St. |
| 11 |
Harvard |
8-0 |
309 |
13 |
D. Columbia, 31-14 |
Nov. 15 vs. Penn |
| 12 |
Monmouth (N.J.) |
8-2 |
293 |
6 |
Lost to New Hampshire, 34-13 |
Nov. 15 at North Carolina A&T |
| 13 |
Illinois St. |
7-3 |
289 |
17 |
D. Indiana St., 52-20 |
Nov. 15 at No. 15 South Dakota St. |
| 14 |
Lamar |
8-2 |
280 |
18 |
D. No. 14 Southeastern Louisiana, 14-12 |
Nov. 15 at No. 17 Stephen F. Austin |
| 15 |
South Dakota St. |
7-3 |
249 |
9 |
Lost to No. 25 South Dakota, 24-17 |
Nov. 15 vs. No. 13 Illinois St. |
| 16 |
Jackson St. |
7-2 |
213 |
19 |
D. Mississippi Valley St., 42-3 |
Nov. 15 vs. Bethune-Cookman |
| 17 |
Stephen F. Austin |
8-2 |
205 |
21 |
D. HCU, 50-3 |
Nov. 15 vs. No. 14 Lamar |
| 18 |
North Dakota |
6-4 |
199 |
15 |
Lost to No. 1 North Dakota St., 15-10 |
Nov. 15 at Murray St. |
| 19 |
Youngstown St. |
6-4 |
178 |
22 |
D. No. 16 Southern Illinois, 48-38 |
Nov. 15 at Indiana St. |
| 20 |
ACU |
6-4 |
176 |
20 |
D. Utah Tech, 31-10 |
Nov. 15 at Eastern Kentucky |
| 21 |
Southeastern Louisiana |
7-3 |
163 |
14 |
Lost to No. 18 Lamar, 14-12 |
Nov. 15 at UIW |
| 22 |
South Dakota |
7-4 |
145 |
25 |
D. No. 9 South Dakota St., 24-17 |
Nov. 15 at No. 23 Southern Illinois |
| 23 |
Southern Illinois |
6-4 |
78 |
16 |
Lost to No. 22 Youngstown St., 48-38 |
Nov. 15 vs. No. 22 South Dakota |
| 24 |
West Georgia |
7-3 |
53 |
NR |
D. North Alabama, 24-17 |
Nov. 15 vs. Utah Tech |
| 25 |
Lafayette |
7-3 |
46 |
NR |
D. Colgate, 59-42 |
Nov. 15 at Richmond |
Dropped Out: Presbyterian (23), Western Carolina (24)
Others Receiving Votes: Western Carolina, 33; Alabama St., 26; Yale, 18; Dartmouth, 11; Gardner-Webb, 11; Sacramento St., 11; Presbyterian, 9;
UT Rio Grande Valley, 9; Northern Arizona, 8; Austin Peay, 4; Central Connecticut St., 3; New Hampshire, 2; South Carolina St., 2; North Carolina Central, 1.
In the National Rankings
UTRGV currently ranks in the top 10 in the FCS in nine statistical categories, and the top 40 in 33 categories:
| Category |
Value |
FCS Rank |
SLC Rank |
| Blocked Kicks Allowed |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Blocked Punts Allowed |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Fumbles Lost |
1 |
2 |
1 |
| Fumbles Recovered |
12 |
2 |
1 |
| Turnovers Gained |
20 |
2 |
1 |
| Points Per Game |
41.4 |
3 |
1 |
| Turnover Margin |
1.10 |
5 |
1 |
| Defensive Touchdowns |
3 |
6 |
1 |
| Team Passing Efficiency |
165.11 |
9 |
1 |
| Passing Yards Per Completion |
14.09 |
11 |
1 |
| Total Yards Per Game |
454.5 |
11 |
1 |
| Team Passing Efficiency Defense |
118.11 |
13 |
3 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game |
118.6 |
16 |
3 |
| Rushing Yards Per Game |
198.0 |
18 |
1 |
| Passing Yards Per Game |
256.5 |
18 |
3 |
| Turnovers Lost |
9 |
19 |
1 |
| Points Allowed Per Game |
19.9 |
19 |
3 |
| Winning Percentage |
.700 |
20 |
3 |
| Net Punting |
39.20 |
22 |
3 |
| Punt Return Defense |
5.00 |
22 |
4 |
| Tackles for Loss Per Game |
6.7 |
22 |
4 |
| Total Yards Allowed Per Game |
321.3 |
23 |
4 |
| Kickoff Return Defense |
18.33 |
27 |
4 |
| Third Down Conversion Pct. |
43.8% |
33 |
1 |
| First Downs Allowed |
176 |
33 |
5 |
| Sacks Allowed Per Game |
1.60 |
36 |
1 |
| Fewest Penalties Per Game |
5.60 |
38 |
3 |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed Per Game |
4.90 |
39 |
2 |
| Completion Percentage |
63.9% |
39 |
4 |
| First Downs Gained |
204 |
40 |
2 |
| Red Zone Offense |
85.7% |
40 |
4 |
| Passes Intercepted |
8 |
40 |
5 |
| Sacks Per Game |
2.20 |
40 |
5 |
UTRGV also has 21 student-athletes ranking among the national leaders:
| Player |
Stat |
Total |
FCS Rank |
SLC Rank |
| Eddie Lee Marburger |
Passing Touchdowns |
25 |
4 |
1 |
|
Points Responsible For |
174 |
6 |
1 |
|
Passing Yards Per Completion |
14.44 |
6 |
1 |
|
Points Responsible For Per Game |
17.4 |
7 |
1 |
|
Yards Per Pass Attempt |
9.38 |
7 |
1 |
|
Passing Efficiency |
170.7 |
8 |
1 |
|
Passing Yards |
2,382 |
13 |
1 |
|
Passing Yards Per Game |
238.2 |
15 |
1 |
|
Total Yards Per Game |
264.3 |
17 |
1 |
|
Completion Percentage |
65.0% |
32 |
3 |
|
Completions Per Game |
16.50 |
47 |
3 |
|
Rushing Touchdowns |
4 |
141 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Tony Diaz |
Receiving Touchdowns |
8 |
7 |
1 |
|
Receptions Per Game |
5.60 |
12 |
2 |
|
Receiving Yards |
691 |
33 |
2 |
|
Receiving Yards Per Game |
69.1 |
40 |
3 |
|
Total Touchdowns |
8 |
57 |
4 |
|
Total Points Scored |
48 |
130 |
10 |
|
Scoring |
4.8 |
154 |
11 |
|
All Purpose Yards Per Game |
70.40 |
169 |
10 |
|
Yards Per Reception |
21.34 |
198 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Xayvion Noland |
Yards Per Reception |
24.74 |
1 |
1 |
|
Receiving Touchdowns |
7 |
17 |
4 |
|
Receiving Yards |
767 |
18 |
1 |
|
Receiving Yards Per Game |
76.7 |
25 |
2 |
|
All Purpose Yards Per Game |
92.80 |
64 |
2 |
|
Total Touchdowns |
7 |
78 |
6 |
|
Kick Return Yards |
161 |
145 |
13 |
|
Receptions Per Game |
3.10 |
175 |
13 |
|
Scoring |
4.2 |
195 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Brysen Gardner |
Total Points Scored |
68 |
38 |
2 |
|
Field Goal Percentage |
.750 |
39 |
4 |
|
Scoring |
6.8 |
50 |
3 |
|
Field Goals Per Game |
0.90 |
55 |
4 |
|
Points Responsible For |
68 |
117 |
6 |
|
Points Responsible For Per Game |
6.8 |
132 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Nathan Denney |
Rushing Yards |
449 |
121 |
6 |
|
Rushing Touchdowns |
4 |
141 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Elijah Graham |
Fumble Recoveries |
2 |
7 |
3 |
|
Interceptions Per Game |
0.30 |
36 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Jaiden Haygood |
Total Tackles Per Game |
8.7 |
33 |
4 |
|
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Logic Hudgens |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
Interceptions Per Game |
0.20 |
95 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Spencer Rich |
Fumble Recoveries |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Total Tackles Per Game |
7.0 |
114 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Ian Box |
Sacks Per Game |
0.50 |
64 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Tavian Cord |
Receiving Touchdowns |
3 |
147 |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
| TJ Dement |
Rushing Touchdowns |
5 |
103 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Hank Filamar |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Carter Hewitt |
Kick Return Yards |
106 |
191 |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Jayden House |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Percy Jackson III |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Abdon Mata |
Sacks Per Game |
0.40 |
112 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| TJ Neal |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Amari Pouncy |
Fumble Recoveries |
1 |
72 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Ismael Smith Flores |
Receiving Touchdowns |
5 |
53 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Nathaniel Wallce-Dilling |
Punting Average |
43.7 |
19 |
2 |
Up Next
UTRGV visits McNeese on Saturday at 6 p.m. Fans can watch online via
ESPN+. Fans can also listen locally on Ultra 90.1 FM, in Laredo on Pure Country 95.7 FM, and online via the
Radio Para Mi app.
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