Texas State made waves on a national level on September 2, 2023.
The Bobcats, opening a new era of Texas State football under head coach GJ Kinne, handled Baylor 42-31 at McLane Stadium in Waco behind a stellar performance from TJ Finley and a tenacious defense that tallied 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 2 late – but crucial – takeaways.
The win was not just any season-opening victory. It was not just the first win of the 21st head coach in program history. It was not just the biggest upset win in college football in two years.
It was a statement.
Texas State showed the college football world it was a whole new program with a completely different energy and moxie. And it received the attention of many around the country.
But the night was not the end to what was already going to be an intense week. The Bobcats are set to renew their I-35 Rivalry with UTSA on Saturday, the first game between the two rivals since 2020.
The rivalry game also has a new wrinkle this time around as Kinne played for the head coach on the other sideline when he was in high school.
Kinne was the starting quarterback for UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor at Gilmer High School in 2006. The two started that season with a 10-0 record, and Kinne earned accolade upon accolade for his impressive senior season.
The two have maintained a close relationship over the years, benefited by working together at SMU (2017) and Arkansas (2018). Last year, they worked in the same city: Kinne leading UIW while Traylor was at UTSA. Both teams won conference titles and battled for the attention of the San Antonio community.
Now, this Saturday, they’ll be working the same field in that familiar city. But this time, it is across from one another with more than a win on the line.
This is a rivalry game. It means more. It’s mentor-versus-mentee. It’s former conference rivals squaring off. It’s players who chose the opposing school during the recruiting and transfer portal process. It’s a turf war in the mantra of “Take Back Texas.”
But before the game, what is in between?
It’s a moment.
A moment that could be momentum.
Here is a look at the in between for the Bobcats, the week that was and a look at the week that lies ahead.
