The view from the first-ever UTRGV football game Aug. 30 at the Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg. Sebastian Espino/Vaquero radio
In their final postgame news conference of the year, football head coach Travis Bush and three senior leaders said the season was defined by belief, toughness and a bond they say will last far beyond the field.
The Vaqueros capped their inaugural campaign with a 9–3 record, a perfect home slate and a message that the standard for the program has been set.
After reflecting on the season, Bush said he praises his team’s mindset and the bond it built.
“Just the chemistry they built, the bond they built, everything and their mindset from day one,” he said. “Everyone said it’s going to be a process. You know, their mindset was how fast can we speed up that process. But, just extremely proud of everything they’ve done. The way they’ve battled, the way they’ve come together.”
Senior running back Nathan Denney said he feels proud about finishing undefeated at home.
“Just feeling so blessed, you know? You know, what the coaches have done here has been so special,” Denney said. “To go undefeated at home just speaks to the community here and what’s been built in these last few years.”
For senior defensive back Logic Hudgens, he said the Vaqueros’ success came down to trust and belief in one another.
“Like, we playing for the Valley, and we’re trying to put it for the Valley, and I feel like that’s what we did, you know? We came in, it was like a blind but when we in practice and stuff, all camp, all that, we figured out, like, we’re gonna be good,” Hudgens said. “We believe in each other.”
For senior quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger, the end of the season was a deeply personal moment. He said he feels pride and gratitude for his teammates.
“I get so much credit that I don’t feel like I deserve,” Marburger said. “I feel like a lot of these guys deserve way more. … I love each one of these guys and to know that’s probably my last time playing football with these guys, … it’s a special place, man.”
The Vaqueros will return to the field next fall. For the 2027 season, however, the team has scheduled games against Texas A&M-Kingsville Sept. 4 and Texas State Sept. 11.
