RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Wednesday updates to the football schedules for the next three years that result in the Vaqueros averaging six home games per year over their first four seasons of play.
 
With Sacramento State's recent announcement that it is reclassifying to FBS for the 2026 season, the Hornets have cancelled their trip to the Valley, originally scheduled for Sept. 26. That will now be a bye week for UTRGV, and the Vaqueros will instead visit Central Arkansas on Oct. 24. Central Arkansas will make a return trip to Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium on Sept. 9, 2028.
 
Central Arkansas has won five conference championships since moving to Division I FCS in 2007, winning the Southland Conference in 2008, 2012, 2017, and 2019, and the Atlantic Sun in 2022. Central Arkansas has also reached the FCS Playoffs five times, advancing to the second round each time.
 
UTRGV has added also added home games with Prairie View A&M for Oct. 2, 2027, and Oct. 20, 2029, with a visit to Prairie View A&M scheduled for Sept. 16, 2028.
 
Although conference schedules have not yet been announced, UTRGV anticipates hosting four Southland Conference games in 2027. Along with the previously announced game against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Sept. 4 of that year, UTRGV is scheduled to have six home games.
 
UTRGV is expected to host five Southland Conference games in 2028, giving UTRGV a total of six home games including the contest against Central Arkansas. UTRGV will also visit FBS opponent Rice on Sept. 2, 2028.
 
In total, UTRGV is scheduled to host 24 home games over its first four seasons, an average of six home games per season.
 
"While we are certainly disappointed to lose a home game this year, we respect Sacramento State's decision," UTRGV Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. "Our schedule was thoughtfully balanced with a quality home opponent already secured, but the recent shifts in the college football landscape required us to adapt. We are excited to have been able to schedule a home-and-home with Central Arkansas and appreciate their willingness to work with us this late in the scheduling process. This series provides our program with an additional FCS opportunity this year and guarantees an additional home game in 2028. While we always want to play as many home games as possible, it is critical that we position our program for success by securing as many FCS opportunities as possible to build a resume worthy of FCS Playoff consideration."
 
Season Tickets Wait List
 
Fans on the season tickets wait list may have an opportunity to purchase a limited number of season tickets that are becoming available. Those on the wait list will be contacted after April 1 in order of their Vaqueros Loyalty Points ranking based on points accumulated through April 1. Fans can join the wait list at GoUTRGV.com/FootballWaitList.

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