An intriguing Texas showdown is brewing for this weekend's matchup between the #7 Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks (9-1, 6-1 SLC) and the UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (5-5, 3-4 SLC).
When: November 14, 2026 (Sat.) 5:00 P.M.
Where: Edinburg, Texas (Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Salute to Service and Senior Day
W UTPB 44-0
L@UTSA 16-45
L@Nicholls 28-31
W McNeese 27-10
L@East Texas A&M 17-20
W SLU 13-3
L@UIW 16-41
W@Central Arkansas 30-27 (OT)
L #13 Lamar 23-52
W@Northwestern State 52-7
SFA's High-Powered Offense vs. UTRGV's Defense: SFA will face a Vaqueros defense that ranks 1st in the Southland in total defense (337 yards/game) and leads the conference with 15 interceptions.
The Valley Advantage: This is SFA's first-ever visit to Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. UTRGV has historically defended their home turf fiercely, boasting a stellar 10-1 record in front of an passionate average crowd of 13,600 fans.
UTRGV ranks 3rd in scoring defense (24-points a game) and 4th in scoring offense (27- points a game) in the SLC Conference.
In total offense UTRGV ranks 3rd with (394-yards per game) and 1st in total defense giving up (337-yards a game).
The Vaqueros are 6th in rushing offense (155.3 yards a game) and 4th in rushing defense giving up (142 yards a game) 3rd in passing offense (238 yards a game), 2nd in passing defense giving up (195 yards a game), and finally leads the conference in interceptions with (15).
UTRGV's secondary is loaded with playmakers like Alijah Prosser (who snagged 2 interceptions last week and leads the conference in PD at 12) and TJ Neal, together they have 7 INTs combined.
SFA's ground game will have to navigate the top two tacklers in the conference, in linebackers Jaiden Haygood and Spencer Rich, who have a combined 205 tackles.
The playmaker on offense to look for is WR Kyran Lee who is 3rd in the conference with 633 yards and 4th with 6 TD's.
Behind center will be starting QB #3 Aidan Jakobsohn has completed 111 passes (58%) for 1,441 yards 11 TD's and 8 INTs.
The Lumberjacks travel to Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg looking to course-correct immediately after last weeks set back in Beaumont. SFA turns this road test into a critical must-win for their FCS playoff first-round bye and home-field advantage. Meanwhile, UTRGV returns home to the Valley on a high note after a dominant 52-7 routing of Northwestern State, eager to play spoiler for Senior Day.
Axe'Em!
