RIO GRANDE VALLEY – After 11 practices in pads out of 14 overall over the last six weeks, the UTRGV football team is ready to take the field.
 
On Saturday at 2 p.m. at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville, the Vaqueros will break up into teams of orange and white and compete in real game conditions in front of a crowd to close out the spring
 
Free digital tickets are available at UTRGVTickets.com. Gates open at 1 p.m.
 
"Just a chance to get out there, see the new guys, see the new group," UTRGV head coach Travis Bush said. "We've got a lot of guys back. Everyone's going to get into the ball game. We've got a lot of young guys. They'll get the majority of it. A lot of the young guys still need to develop in some areas."
 
This will be fans' first look at the Vaqueros since they finished the 2025 season 9-3, the best-ever by an inaugural program at the FCS level.
 
Like last year, one of the early strengths of this year's team is defense. Last season, the Vaqueros allowed just 18.8 points per game and 328.4 total yards per contest while recording 2 interceptions, ranking among the top defensive units in the FCS and Southland Conference.
 
The Vaqueros bring back nine defensive starters, allowing the unit to build off established chemistry rather than starting from scratch.
 
"The good news is – a lot of last year's defense is back," Bush said. "[Assistant head] coach [and defensive coordinator Brian] Gamble does a phenomenal job. The whole staff does a great job defensively. It's the strength of our football team right now – especially the front seven. I'm real proud of the way those guys are playing. The linebacker core is back and we're really deep up front on the defensive line. They've been giving the offense fits all spring, which is good. We think they'll be one of the top defenses in the conference."
 
Saturday's game also represents another step in strengthening community connections and Rallying the Valley. Thousands of tickets have been claimed and UTRGV expects a strong turnout from the fans in Brownsville.
 
The Orange & White Game closes spring practice, but it also offers a glimpse of what lies ahead as UTRGV prepares for summer workouts and fall camp. For some, it's an opportunity to reinforce roles. For others, it's a chance to make an early impression.
 
"We're going to compete," Bush said. "The winning team gets dinner on Monday. You put some [Raising] Cane's chicken on the line, and they get after it and compete for us. We just want to have fun, get in front of the crowd, have a clean healthy game, and have a good time."

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