(#20) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (6-2; 4-0) VS. (RV) UT - RIO GRANDE VALLEY (6-2; 2-2)

WHEN: NOV. 1 (SAT.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS (HOMER BRYCE STADIUM)
MEDIA: ESPN+/JACKS RADIO NETWORK

SFA kicks off a new series with the Vaqueros of UT - Rio Grande Valley, the newest football program in the country.

UTRGV Record 6-2 (5-0 at home, 1-2 on the road)

W Sul Ross State 66-0
W @Prairie View A&M 27-21
W Langston 80-0
W Texas Wesleyan 61-13
L @(RV) Southeastern Louisiana 31-45
W HCU 27-7
L @#18 Lamar 21-23
W UIW 56-28

The Vaqueros' offense is lead by senior #12 QB Eddie Lee Marburger 6-2; 215 out of Mission, Texas. Against division I competition Marburger has thrown for 1,155 yards and 13 TD's with only 4 INT's completing 57% of his passes.

UTRGV with their very balanced offensive attack averages 32.4 points a game (division I teams) while the defense is giving up 25.

I'm not going into any details on UTRGV's stats as their figures are heavily made on non division I teams.

Saturday's weather calls for 72 degrees, very light wind, and no rain!

Axe'Em

Let's not get too into the weeds in "who they played" as, admittedly, they did not play a competitive non-conference.

That said, we have not exactly endured a murders row, either.

Exactly zero teams we have beaten have a winning record. Our four conference wins are over teams with a combined 8-24 record.

The Marburger kid can play, even started a few games for UTSA prior to transferring.

I hope the ETAMU was a wake up call, that even the "bad" teams can bite you if you're not prepared.

Almost a Top 25 matchup, UTRGV receiving votes at #26.

I'm nervous for this one, and it doesn't help that my in-laws have lots of ties to UTRGV. I believe they'll be a power in the Southland soon, especially considering the money and enrollment that is continuing to rise in the Valley. Hopefully we can pull out a statement win, but I'm not betting on it.

https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2025-playoff-predictions-1-bzbz/

The stage is set. The lights are low. All that’s missing is YOU🫵

🎟️: https://t.co/0ODO28Jnac#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/Gm9REKcTCp

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) October 27, 2025

QB1 FIREWORKS 🧨

Quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger of @UTRGVFootball has been named the Southland Football Offensive Player of the Week!

📰https://t.co/3hSUEdIW6O pic.twitter.com/nsVd7uAdYE

— Southland Conference (@SouthlandSports) October 27, 2025

SFAXE93 said:

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The stage is set. The lights are low. All that’s missing is YOU🫵

🎟️: https://t.co/0ODO28Jnac#AxeEm x #EastTexasTough pic.twitter.com/Gm9REKcTCp

— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) October 27, 2025

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Looks like the blackout uniforms are coming out this week.