RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Most weeks, head football coach Travis Bush had something similar to say to the media about the next game – he was just curious to see how his team played.
 
With a brand new program playing together for the first time, it wasn't immediately clear how the Vaqueros would perform in a game against any level of competition, then the question became what would happen against a Division I opponent, or a Southland opponent, or a road opponent.
 
At every turn, the Vaqueros exceeded expectations, setting a standard for all future Vaqueros teams by going 9-3 and finishing tied for third in the Southland Conference.
 
"It's just a special group… and they came here on a dream… on a vision," Bush said. "They exemplify everything we wanted. We sat here a year ago with the mindset of looking for guys that can come in and help build a standard of excellence and set the foundation for this program for the future. And that's exactly what those guys did – the chemistry they built, the bond they built, and their mindset from day one.
 
"Everyone said it's going to be process," Bush continued. "Their mindset was – how fast can we speed up that process? I'm extremely proud of everything they've done, the way they've battled, the way they've come together. They've done things nobody thought they could. Sitting here 9-3, I just can't say enough about this group and how proud I am of them."
 
Making History
 
Seasons like this are far from guaranteed. In fact, among 2025's new football programs, UTRGV was one of two to even win a game, along with Roanoke (NCAA DIII), which finished 5-4. Marine Maritime (NCAA DIII) finished 0-10 while Rio Grande (NAIA) finished 0-9.
 
UTRGV is the winningest of 11 inaugural FCS programs since Division I college football split into two levels in 1978. No other team had ever won more than seven games or six while playing a schedule including NCAA Division I competition.
 
UTRGV is the first inaugural team to win six games against NCAA DI-AA (1978-2005)/FCS (2006-Present) competition, breaking the record of five set by Florida International in 2002.
 
UTRGV is the only inaugural team to go undefeated at home, as the Vaqueros finished 7-0 and are currently one of 11 FCS teams on a home winning streak of seven of greater.
 
UTRGV is one of two programs to receive votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll at any point during its inaugural season, along with Kennesaw State, which received two points in the 2015 Week 7 poll. UTRGV is the only program to earn more than two points or receive votes in multiple weeks, receiving votes nine times. UTRGV got close to entering the top 25 in the week 9 poll, garnering 25 points, just behind No. 25 Abilene Christian, which had 36 points.
 
The Inaugural Season
 
The Vaqueros opened their inaugural season with a 66-0 victory over Sul Ross State. Fourteen different Vaqueros made catches, tied for the most in a game in the FCS this season. UTRGV scored 49 points in the first half, tied for the fifth-highest scoring half in the FCS this season, including 28 points in the first quarter, which is tied for the 12^th-highest scoring quarter in the FCS this season.
 
The Vaqueros then faced their first NCAA Division I opponent in week 2, beating Prairie View A&M on the road 27-21. The Panthers received votes at various times during the season while finishing 10-4. They won the SWAC Championship before falling to (RV) South Carolina State in quadruple overtime in the Celebration Bowl.
 
In week 3, the Vaqueros beat Langston 80-0, setting a record for largest margin of victory by a brand new program. UTRGV is one of two new teams to score 80 points in a game. The Vaqueros scored 52 points in the first half, the fourth-highest scoring half in the FCS this season, including 31 points in the second quarter, tied for the fifth-highest scoring quarter in the FCS this season.
 
UTRGV finished the season ranked 26^th in the FCS with a +6.1 scoring margin.
 
After becoming the first brand new FCS program to start 4-0 while playing a schedule that included NCAA Division I competition, UTRGV endured its first loss, falling at Southeastern 45-31 in its first-ever Southland contest. The Lions finished the season ranked 15^th, earning the No. 16 seed in the FCS Playoffs. Even in that game, the Vaqueros showed glimpses of the team they would become. After falling behind 21-0 in the opening 22:47, UTRGV outscored Southeastern 31-24 over the final 37:13, including 21-17 in the second half.
 
UTRGV bounced back a 27-7 win over Houston Christian University for its first Southland win.
 
UTRGV had a near-miss against Lamar in week 8, falling 23-21 on a 57-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining. The Cardinals finished the season ranked 24^th while making the FCS playoffs. After their opening round loss, though, they fell to 34^th in the Massey Ratings. UTRGV currently ranks 32^nd.
 
The Vaqueros hosted their first-ever homecoming game on Oct. 25 and beat defending Southland Conference Champion UIW, who reached the 2024 FCS Quarterfinals, 56-28. UTRGV had two 100-yard receivers for the first time in freshman Tony Diaz, who made 17 receptions, the third-most in Southland history, and sophomore Xayvion Noland. Senior quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger threw six touchdown passes, tied for the 10^th-most in a game in Southland history. UTRGV finished with 548 total yards on offense, the most in a conference game in the Southland, the most by a Southland team against an FCS opponent, the third most by UTRGV, and the fourth most by a Southland team this year.
 
UTRGV endured its final loss in week 10, falling at eventual Southland Conference Champion Stephen F. Austin, which finished the season ranked 10^th and reached the 2025 FCS Quarterfinals as the No. 7 seed, 41-17. UTRGV outscored SFA 17-14 in the second half.
 
UTRGV then closed the season on a 3-game winning streak, beating Nicholls 28-21, McNeese on the road 28-13, and East Texas A&M 33-14. UTRGV is one of 11 teams to currently be on a winning streak of at least three games.
 
"The season flew by. We've been so much into this for so many years now and looking ahead to this and then you blink and it's over," Bush said. "Such an amazing year, an amazing season, not just what our guys did on the field, but what the entire communities of the Rio Grande Valley did… the support, the game day atmosphere, everything that came along with this football season was truly special and will be remembered here forever."
 
Major Fan Support
 
The Valley rallied behind UTRGV in a special way, as UTRGV ranks 11^th in the FCS in total attendance (87,774), 15^th in average attendance (12,539), and sixth in percentage of capacity (104.49%).
 
UTRGV sold out all seven home games to create an impressive home field advantage, going 7-0, the first first-year FCS program to go undefeated at home. UTRGV is one of nine teams in the FCS currently on a home winning streak of at least seven games.
 
"I'm just feeling so blessed," senior running back Nathan Denney said. "What the coaches have done here has been so special. To go undefeated at home speaks to the community here and what's been built in these last few years. I can't have more gratitude. I'm just so thankful to have been a part of this."
 
"Especially being from here… this is so special," Marburger said. "Just growing up here, I always knew was a special place. I see out here. The fans that show up every home game. It's so much fun. Credit to [our fans]."
 
Awards
 
The Vaqueros racked up the awards throughout the season and postseason, as UTRGV was one of only three FCS programs to have finalists for FCS Coordinator of the Year, the Walter Payton Award, the Jerry Rice Award, and the Eddie Robinson Award, along with Tarleton State, the No. 4 seed in the FCS Playoffs, and Mercer, the No. 6 seed in the FCS Playoffs.
 
Marburger finished tied for 25^th in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, which honors the FCS offensive player of the year.
 
Diaz finished seventh in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award, which honors the FCS freshman of the year, while linebacker Jaiden Haygood finished 11^th.
 
Bush finished sixth in the voting for the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the FCS coach of the year.
 
Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jeff Bowen is one of nine finalists for the FootballScoop FCS Coordinator of the Year Award, presented by Teamworks.
 
UTRGV had the most selections to the FCS Football Central Freshman All-American Team with four, including Diaz, Haygood, offensive lineman Nick Hughes, and defensive back Alijah Prosser. Diaz and Haygood were also on the Stats Perform FCS Freshman All-America Team while Diaz earned Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention.
 
UTRGV added three honorees on the Dave Campbell's All-Texas Non-FBS Teams, with Marburger earning offensive player of the year and first team honors while Diaz and junior punter Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling earned second team honors.
 
UTRGV also had a pair of Phil Steele 2025 FCS Midseason All-Americans in Noland and senior defensive back Elijah Graham, while sophomore kicker Brysen Gardner made the Fred Mitchell Award Midseason Watch List, making him one of 38 kickers being looked at as the top kicker in the FCS.
 
The Vaqueros racked up seven all-conference honors, the fourth most of any team in the Southland, as Marburger was named newcomer of the year and Diaz earned freshman of the year. Both were also first team selections. Hughes was on the second team, joined by Wallace-Dilling and junior defensive end Ian Box.
 
The Vaqueros were also regulars among the Southland Conference weekly honorees, as Denney (Sept. 8), Marburger (Oct. 27), and Diaz (Nov. 17) each earned outright offensive player of the week awards while Marburger (Sept. 1) and Denney (Nov. 10 and 24) each added honorable mention appearances. On the defensive side, Graham earned honorable mention once (Sept. 15) as well.
 
Nationally, Marburger earned Offensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention once (Oct. 27) and Diaz earned Freshman of the Week Honorable Mention twice (Oct. 27 and Nov. 17).
 
Statistically Speaking
 
UTRGV led the Southland in 15 statistical categories, ranking first in the FCS in blocked kicks allowed (0), blocked punts allowed (0), and fumbles lost (1), second in fumbles recovered (13), third in turnover margin (1.33), fifth in turnovers lost (9), sixth in defensive touchdowns (4) and points per game (39.6), seventh in turnovers gained (25), eighth in team passing efficiency (165.62), 10^th in team passing efficiency defense (116.93), 15^th in passing yards per completion (13.72), 18^th in total yards per game (435.2), 23^rd in fewest penalties (61) and fewest penalties per game (5.08), and 28^th in sacks allowed per game (1.50).
 
The Vaqueros' lone fumble lost was on a muffed punt in the inaugural game. UTRGV nad Brown were the only two teams in the FCS to only lose one fumble all season. The Vaqueros did not lose an offensive fumble. None of the Vaqueros' penalties were defensive substitution penalties, showing UTRGV's exceptional preparation, communication, and discipline.
 
UTRGV is also 14^th in the FCS and second in the Southland in winning percentage (.750), 14^th in the FCS and third in the Southland in points allowed per game (18.8), 16^th in the FCS and third in the Southland in rushing yards allowed per game (119.3), 19^th in the FCS and second in the Southland in punt return defense (5.05), 19^th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in total yards allowed per game (328.4), 20^th in the FCS and third in the Southland in net punting (39.41), 21^st in the FCS and second in the Southland in rushing yards per game (188.3), 22^nd in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in passes intercepted (12), 22^nd in the FCS and fifth in the Southland in tackles for loss per game (6.5), 24^th in the FCS and second in the Southland in passing yards per game (246.9) and third down conversion percentage (45.0%), 24^th in the FCS and fourth in the southland in kickoff return defense (18.19), 28^th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in red zone offensive conversions (86.5%), 29^th in the FCS and second in the Southland in tackles for loss allowed per game (4.67), 31^st in the FCS and third in the Southland in completion percentage (64.1%), 31^st in the FCS and third in the Southland in fewest penalty yards (555), 32^nd in the FCS and third in the Southland in fewest first downs allowed (221), 34^th in the FCS and third in the Southland in fewest penalty yards per game (46.25), 34^th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in sacks per game (2.25), and 40^th in the FCS and third in the Southland in red zone defense (79.3%).
 
"The place to [start an FCS program] is the Rio Grande Valley," Bush said. "It was truly special. The support and the way everyone's come together was so impactful for the entire university and especially the young men that were part of this program."

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