EDINBURG, Texas (VALLEY CENTRAL) — The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) football team is preparing for Southland Conference play.
The Vaqueros are scheduled to begin play in the fall of 2025.
They are in a conference known for producing players who have played in the NFL.
Incarnate Word, a member of Southland, reached the semifinals of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs two years ago.
“The expectation is to come out and compete,” Southland Commissioner Chris Grant said during a press conference at the UTRGV Fieldhouse earlier this week. “Our team isn't going to roll over either. They're chomping at the bit to meet your fans and check out some venues.”
UTRGV becomes the conference's ninth soccer school.
UTRGV football coach Travis Busch said now that the future is clear, he and his staff can focus on planning for life in the Southland region.
“We still have a year to plan and a year to start looking at video,” Bush said. “We looked at some things and got early scouting reports on it. The important thing is that our recruits know where we're going, who we're going to play, and we're recruiting accordingly. I think it can be done.”
Additionally, Bush said being a member of Southland will help UTRGV better understand how to schedule games.
“We're already working on some non-conference games,” Busch said. “Again, this gives us an idea of the number of conference games and allows us to start focusing more on non-conference games over the next few years.”
UTRGV already has nonconference games scheduled against Texas State in 2027 and 2030.
The Bobcats will host both contests.
UTRGV will begin practice this fall.
