NATCHITOCHES, La. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros football team will check off the final Southland Conference (SLC) opponent Saturday at 1 p.m. as they play the Northwestern State (NSU) Demons for the first time at Turpin Stadium. 
 
Last season, these teams weren't on each other's schedules, but with the conference slate expanding to include all nine opposing institutions to sponsor football, the Vaqueros will get their first chance at the Demons. Once again, some firsts are on the line – for both teams. 
 
UTRGV (4-5, 2-4 SLC) is looking to win back-to-back road wins for the first time in program history. The last road trip resulted in a 30-27 overtime victory for the Vaqueros at Central Arkansas, the first overtime game for the second-year program. The Demons (0-9, 0-6 SLC) are chasing their first win of the season and first conference win since 2022. 
 
With three games left on the schedule, UTRGV has reached the fourth quarter of its season. The Vaqueros went 1-2 in the first quarter, 2-1 in the second, and 1-2 in the third after dropping a 52-23 game last week against now #13/12 Lamar, marking the first loss in history at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. They're looking to close the year strong and win the final quarter, and getting off to a fast start at Northwestern State will be key to reaching a few goals. 
 
The Vaqueros haven't won a game (0-5) when trailing after the first quarter but have won every game (4-0) when leading or tied after the opening 12 minutes. NSU ranks last in the SLC in every defensive category, allowing 47.1 points and 444.9 yards per game to opponents. The Demons are scoring just 19.3 PPG but have been solid in recent losses at home, pushing McNeese and Nicholls in three- and four-point games, respectively, in the last two at Turpin Stadium. 
 
Sophomore running back Broderick Taylor has worked his way into a starting role after becoming the first Vaqueros player to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season with his 110-yard, two touchdown performance in the loss to Lamar. He scored two touchdowns at Central Arkansas as well, including the game-winning carry on UTRGV's only play in overtime. His speed, balance, and high-stepping rushing style has provided a spark for UTRGV in recent weeks and he'll look to set the tone early Saturday. 
 
Junior linebacker Jaiden Haygood is chasing history, again, Saturday. He holds the program record for total and solo tackles in program history after recording 102 and 45, respectively, in the inaugural season. He boasts 94 total and 42 solo tackles through nine games in 2026 and has tabbed 14+ tackles in each of the last three games, so it's highly likely he'll break his own program record soon. He's also chasing the program's top mark in tackles for loss (9), currently held by junior defensive back Alijah Prosser, and has 8.5 heading into the matchup. 

Support UTRGV Vaqueros™ | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube