THIBODAUX, La. – Week 2 of the 2026 season has arrived, bringing with it a shift in focus to Southland Conference (SLC) play and an increased intensity. 
 
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush referenced Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez as he motivated his team with a clear and concise message in the huddle after Tuesday's tough practice: "You had something to prove last year, and you proved it," Bush said. "Now it's time to leave no doubt. Burn the boats and leave no doubt. 
 
Burn the boats, Bush explained to the team, means there is no other way, no going back. You've reached the part of the journey where the only way to survive is fully commit. That's where the Vaqueros are now – with nine conference games to play over the next 11 Saturdays, Bush is emphasizing that great teams bring their own intensity every week. If UTRGV wants to win a championship and reach the playoffs, the Vaqueros can't look back and can't make excuses. The only option is to give it all they have. Burn the boats and leave no doubt. 
 
The first obstacle on UTRGV's course is a bout with the Nicholls Colonels at 6 p.m. Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium. Both teams blew out lesser opponents in Week 0 before challenging themselves against FBS opponents in Week 1. The Vaqueros battled well in a 45-16 loss at UTSA while the Colonels were limited to 122 yards of offense in a 71-3 rout at Kansas State. 
 
UTRGV (1-1) is averaging 30.0 points per game and 548.5 yards per game through two contests. Kicker Brysen Gardner leads the Southland and is second in the nation averaging 3.0 field goals per game and is top five in the conference as he's responsible for 23 points. Garret Rangel has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the conference, ranking second in the SLC with an average of 181.5 passing yards/game and a 66% completion rate. Wide receivers Corey Holmes and Kyran Lee are second and third, respectively, in the conference in total and per-game receiving yards, and receptions per game, ranking among the top 50 in the nation in all three stat categories. The skill players are aided by an offensive line which is best in the conference and eighth in FCS allowing 0.5 sacks/game. 
 
Defensively, the Vaqueros are eighth in the nation with three interceptions this young season and have the No. 2 red zone defense in the conference. Bush praised defensive lineman Nathan Huerta's play early in the season for helping the Vaqueros contain opponents relatively well. 
 
Nicholls (1-1) is scoring 23.5 points/game with 319 yards/game. Senior quarterback Ean Rodrigue leads the offense, delivering three touchdown passes with an average of 147 passing yards/game. Ellis Stewart and Greg Donaldson have been the top targets early with Stewart pulling in two touchdown grabs and 47 receiving yards/game. Donaldson is the only Colonels receiver with 100+ yards this season – UTRGV had two receivers with over 100 yards in the season opener. Tamaj Hoffman and Shane Lee have split running back responsibilities with 16 carries each, though Hoffman has the edge in yards/carry (6.0), yards/game (48), and has scored two of Nicholls' three rushing touchdowns. Rodrigue is averaging 26.5 rushing yards/game from under center. The Colonels defense matches UTRGV's three interceptions but is allowing 393.5 yards/game to opposing offenses.
 
UTRGV was picked to finish fourth in the preseason SLC Coaches Poll, coming in behind only the same three teams that represented the conference in the 2025 FCS playoffs. Nicholls was picked to finish seventh out of 10. But the Vaqueros know preseason polls don't mean anything, and the true measure of a team isn't shown until the first whistle blows. 
 
The Vaqueros are expecting a battle. Nicholls went 4-0 in home conference games at Guidry Stadium last season and hasn't lost a home SLC game since Nov. 21, 2024. The Colonels draw a rowdy crowd and play tough football. 
 
There won't be any surprises this year as the Vaqueros run through the Southland slate for the second time.  In Year 1, they proved quickly to be contenders in the conference. In Year 2, they're raising the standard and leaving no doubt. 

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