Making a Point: UTRGV makes program history, defeats No. 25 Southeastern Louisiana
EDINBURG — The undefeated home record at the Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium lives to see another day after this past Saturday night.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros made program history after defeating the nationally ranked No. 25 Southeastern Louisiana Lions in a Southland Conference battle at “The Vack.”
The Vaqueros took the defense- dominated win, 13-3.
The historical win solidifies the second-year program with its first-ever victory over a ranked opponent. More so, the dub capitalizes a 10-0 record for the Vaqueros at “The Vack.”
UTRGV’s record improves to 3-3 on the year, with a 2-2 SLC tally in conference play. The loss snaps the Lions’ three-game winning streak as they fall to 3-3 on the year, with a 1-2 SLC record.
Maybe it was the anticipation around the game or maybe it was the cooler breeze evident at the stadium, but the atmosphere started off a bit more tame than usual.
Similar to a pendulum, the momentum kept rocking back and forth with neither team really taking hold of the game.
Early on, it seemed that the Lions looked like they were going to have their way on offense as they had no problem marching down the field on multiple drives. With 325 total yards and 34:24 total time of possession, it was impressive they were only held to three points.
In the first half, the Lions missed two crucial field goals that could’ve gotten them the edge, but as stated before, maybe it was the cooler breeze.
To end the half, Brysen Gardner knocked down a 51-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead. The score woke the crowd up and it was eccentric to say the least.
SLU finally got on the board with a 36-yard field goal from Drew Talley that knotted the game up at 3-3.
In crunch time during the fourth, Gardner got his second field goal out of 36 yards out for the 6-3 advantage with 14:49 left in the game.
The defense in this game really impressed as they seemed more composed than they have in previous contests this season.
During a late drive by the Lions with the opportunity to score, Jaiden Haygood grabbed his only interception of the night to give the ball back to his team.
Couple of plays later, Aidan Jakobsohn found Jaydon Smith for a 16-yard touchdown to put the game in reach, 13-3. It wasn’t until TJ Neal earned his second interception of the night to send the Lions back home with the loss.
Jakobsohn had himself a night off of 23-for-37 passing attempts for 244 yards. He had one touchdown and an interception. Smith had six receptions for 70 total yards.
Defensively, there were three total interceptions on the night between Haygood and Neal. Spencer Rich, who plays linebacker, had 12 tackles to lead the effort.
“It’s just a heck of a game, you know, so proud of our young men,” Head Coach Travis Bush said. “That’s a good football team. It’s a top 25 football team, and we always got to revolve that we’re used to playing, but especially here (atThe Vack).”
The Vaqueros go out on the road once more for two straight weeks as they will play Incarnate Word in San Antonio on Oct. 17 and then Central Arkansas on Oct. 24.
UTRGV will be back on Halloween to host Lamar University — who is nationally ranked No. 11 as of press time.
“... The best way to grow in life is pain, struggle amongst no matter what you’re doing,” Bush said. “That’s the stuff that we always talk about in the program.”