PULSE – Vaqueros bleed orange

UTRGV cornerback Austin Trimble blocks University of Incarnate Ward Defensive Back Kaden Jammer during the Vaqueros homecoming game Saturday night at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

Football Game recap

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros won themselves another game (56-28) Saturday against the University of Incarnate Ward Cardinals.

The Vaqueros victory follows their loss on Saturday, Oct. 18, against the Lamar University Cardinals.

This is the Vaqueros fourth game in the Southland Conference (SLC) and have a record of 2-2 in the conference, while currently being 6-2 overall.

Head coach Travis Bush said he is very proud of the performance the team gave, crediting the leadership and chemistry they had during practices and the game.

“I think that’s as good as we played the first half,” Bush said. “We got so much better.”

UTRGV quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger looks to make a pass as UTRGV offensive linemen Abram Nicklas and Nick Hughes hold off University of Incarnate Ward defensive linemen Terrell Elliott and John Mathis during the Vaqueros Homecoming game Saturday night at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

Coach Bush also reflected on their performance at last week’s game which resulted in a toe-to-toe loss of 23-21, and how they persevered through the loss in the practices following the game.

According to Bush, the team was fired up despite their loss and had some of their best practices this season.

UTRGV linebacker Jackson Waid and cornerback Austin Trimble close in to bring down University of Incarnate Ward running back Jaylon Spears Saturday night at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

“Everything from last week was a learning opportunity,” he said. “We got to wake up and we got to be the best we can be every day.”

Wide Receiver Tony Diaz said last weekend’s loss happened for a reason and it helped him get his head back straight.

“Last week it stung for sure,” he said. “I just had to lock back in, had to have a short term memory about it and just go out there and work.”

UTRGV cornerback Austin Trimble pushes through University of Incarnate Ward defender Josh Lorick after trying to make a catch during the first half of the homecoming game Saturday night at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

Homecoming Court

Alongside the victory, UTRGV students and fans celebrated the inaugural homecoming ceremony during halftime.

Adolfo Salinas, integrated health science junior, won the UTRGV 2025 homecoming nomination.

He said there was a lot of hard work put into his campaign and that he is very grateful for the opportunity and experience.

“I felt like it was an eternity in silence and then as soon as they said my name I was just like ‘Oh my gosh’ I could not believe it. I was still shocked that it was me,” he said.

UTRGV Homecoming Royal Adolfo Salinas stands on the field during the Royal Court halftime presentation Saturday night at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.
Logan Huizar/Pulse

According to him, being a Royal candidate helped him discover new UTRGV traditions and thinks everybody should try their best to get more involved on campus.

“I’ve always heard about the royals, but I didn’t know how much effort went into it,” Salinas said. “Everyone should take the opportunity because you never know what could happen.”

According to a UTRGV news release, the homecoming game was sold out with 12,469 fans in attendance.

Haven Garcia, a UTRGV finance sophomore, said he is proud of what UTRGV has accomplished and that the gameday experience has been amazing.

Garcia said that coming from a border town he didn’t think UTRGV would accomplish much, but that he is very proud because of how amazing the experience has been.

“I bleed orange,” he said.

The next game for the Vaqueros will be against Stephen F. Austin University Lumberjacks at 6 p.m. Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, Texas.

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