ODESSA, Texas (August 28, 2026) – The University of Texas Permian Basin football team is set to return to the gridiron for the first time under the direction of new head coach Chris Softley. The Falcons will kick off the year at UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, from Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium in Edinburg, Texas. UTRGV is beginning just its second season after delivering one of the most successful first-year campaigns in FCS history in 2025.

UTPB will be looking to continue its momentum from recent years after recording three straight winning seasons for the first time in program history and advancing all the way to the NCAA Quarterfinals just one season ago.

SOFTLEY ERA
Chris Softley is in his first season at the helm of the UT Permian Basin Football program. He was named the third head coach in program history on December 31, 2025.

Softley comes to UTPB after serving as the Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Lubbock Christian School, where he was a State Champion and was named the Texas Coach of the Year. In nine full seasons (2016-2025) as the Head Coach of the Eagles, Softley earned a school record 101 career wins and won 82 percent of his games (101-22). His teams had eight double-digit winning seasons in nine years and posted six straight years of top-four finishes in the state. He led his teams to seven district championships, eight area championships, seven final four appearances, four State final appearances, and two State Championships (2022, 2025). Softley was a six-time State of Texas Coach of the Year and a seven-time District Coach of the Year. He was honored by Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine as a 40 Under 40 Coach (2022), the Pre-Season Coach of the Year (2023), and one of the 10 Most Underrated Texas High School Football Coaches (2024) while his team was named Team of the Year (2022).

OPENING UP THE SEASON
The Falcons open up their 11th season of collegiate football on Saturday night as they are 7-3 all-time in season openers. UTPB claimed a 34-14 win at Astound Broadband Stadium in its season opener last year against No. 5 Central Oklahoma. The Falcons have won their last three season openers, all at home, after earning a 41-3 victory over Western New Mexico at Ratliff Stadium in 2024 and a 96-0 win against Texas College at Astound Broadband Stadium in 2023. This year, UTPB will open up its season on the road for just the third time in program history. UTPB defeated Southwest Baptist 24-16 in Bolivar, Missouri, in its season opener in 2022 and fell 26-16 against FCS Texas Southern in Houston, Texas, in its season opener in 2018.

UTPB vs. FCS
The Falcons are 0-3 all-time against FCS opponents, falling 72-6 at Lamar in Beaumont, Texas, in their second game of 2017; losing 26-16 at Texas Southern in Houston, Texas in their first game of 2018; and falling 34-9 at Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas, in their third game of the 2021 season.

"WEEK 0" ACTION
After playing a game in August for the first time in program history in 2024 against WNMU, the Falcons will play during "Week 0" for the third year in a row in 2026. In addition, August 29 will be the earliest season opener ever for the Falcons. UTPB has yet to lose during "Week 0" (2-0).

2025 SEASON RECAP
In 2025, UTPB made the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the second time in program history and for the second time in the last three seasons, and advanced to the Super Region Final (NCAA Quarterfinals) for the first time in program history. UTPB finished the season 11-3 overall, setting a program record for wins in a single season while also earning the first two playoff wins in program history, and was in a three-team tie for second in the Lone Star Conference with a 7-2 record.

In regard to the national rankings, UTPB broke into the top-10 of both the D2Football.com Media Poll and the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll for the first time in program history, and set regular-season records for ranking as high as No. 4 in the D2Football.com Poll and No. 6 in the AFCA Poll following its 5-0 start to the season. During the playoffs the Falcons were ranked No. 10 in the AFCA Poll. Following the conclusion of the season, UTPB was ranked as the No. 3 team in the country in the D2Football.com Poll, setting new program record for the highest national ranking in program history, and was ranked No. 5 in the final AFCA poll.

The Falcons finished the year 4-2 against nationally-ranked opponents (all top-15), and were the only team in the country with three wins over teams ranked in the top-five. Those wins included a 34-14 victory over the No. 5-ranked University of Central Oklahoma (Aug. 30) during the Falcons' highest-ranked season opening matchup in program history, a 28-14 win at No. 5-ranked Angelo State University (Oct. 4) in the ESPN NCAA Division II Game of the Week (UTPB's first game in program history where both teams were ranked in the top-10), a 37-24 victory at No. 4-ranked and No. 3-seeded Colorado State University Pueblo (Nov. 22) in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs (representing the highest nationally-ranked win in program history), and a 21-15 comeback win on the road in overtime in the second round at No. 15-ranked Western Colorado University (Nov. 29). UTPB fell in the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Championship Super Region 4 Final with a 34-28 loss at No. 2-ranked Harding University (Dec. 6). The UTPB offense scored the most points by any team against Harding this season, and was the only one-score game the Bisons had been in all season.
In the end, the Falcon football team became the first UTPB athletic program to advance to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division II era.

As a team in 2025, UTPB ranked first in all of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference in total passing offense (4,622 yards), ranked first in DII and the LSC in first downs (367 first downs), ranked fourth in DII and first in the LSC in total offense (6,467 yards), ranked 21st in DII and second in the LSC in third-down conversion percentage (46.2 percent), ranked ninth in DII and first in the LSC in fourth-down conversion percentage (71.8 percent), ranked 16th in DII and third in the LSC in scoring offense (37.1 points per game), ranked fifth in DII and first in the LSC in offensive touchdowns (68 touchdowns), ranked third in DII and first in the LSC in passing defense (151.5 yards per game), ranked 20th in DII and first in the LSC in total defense (304.1 yards per game), ranked fifth in DII and first in the LSC in team passing efficiency defense (99.49 efficiency), and ranked 21st in DII and second in the LSC in scoring defense (19.1 points per game). The Falcons also set new program records for passing completions (363), passing attempts (564), passing yards (4,622), passing touchdowns (36), total touchdowns (70), points (520), total offensive plays (1,046), and total yards of offense (6,467) in a single season.

FALCONS PICKED FIFTH IN LSC PRESEASON POLL
After finishing its 2025 season ranked No. 3 in the D2Football.com End of Season Top 25 Poll, UTPB is predicted to finish in fifth place according to the 2026 LSC Football Preseason Poll. The poll was announced on Thursday, July 23, at the LSC Football Media Day at McKinney ISD Stadium's Community Event Center in McKinney, Texas. The preseason poll is voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members. In addition to the preseason poll, UTPB wide receiver Traylen Suel and defensive lineman Godgive Ugochukwu were selected for the 2026 LSC Football Preseason Players to Watch list. Suel was named Honorable Mention All-LSC in 2025.

TRAYLEN SUEL NAMED TO ELITE 100 WATCH LIST FOR TOP D2 PLAYERS
UTPB wide receiver Traylen Suel has been named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List for the upcoming 2026 season.

Suel (Squad Offense) was selected for the 2026 LSC Football Preseason Players to Watch list for offense. Suel was named Honorable Mention All-LSC in 2025 and was a team captain. Despite missing three games due to injury, Suel still led the Falcons with a new school-record 60 receptions and a team-high 719 receiving yards, and tied for the team lead with eight receiving touchdowns. He averaged 11.98 yards per catch and a team-best 65.36 receiving yards per game. In the LSC, Suel was second in receptions, third in catches per game (5.5), and fifth in receiving yards per game (65.36). He was also tied for third in the LSC and tied for 30th in all of NCAA Division II in receiving touchdowns. Suel also had five kickoff returns for 85 yards and averaged 17.0 yards per return.
The players listed in this release represent the official watch list for the D2Football.com 2026 Elite 100 Team, which will be announced at the conclusion of the season. The team includes first and second team selections for offense, defense and special teams along with 25 "Squad" players for offense and defense. Squad players are equivalent to "honorable mention" selections in similar national recognition lists.

FALCONS RANKED NO. 18 IN BOTH D2FOOTBALL.COM AND AFCA PRESEASON POLLS
UTPB football has been ranked No. 18 in both the 2026 D2Football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll and the 2026 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Preseason Poll.

The Falcons ended at No. 3 in the D2Football.com End of Season Top 25 Poll and No. 5 in the final AFCA Poll last season after making the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons and advancing to the Super Region Final (NCAA Quarterfinals) for the first time in program history. The No. 3 national ranking was a new program record for the highest national ranking in program history.

VAQUEROS UNDER THE LENS
In their inaugural season, the UTRGV Vaqueros delivered one of the most successful first-year campaigns in FCS history, finishing 9-3 and tying for third in the Southland Conference. Despite being a brand-new program facing Division I competition for the first time, UTRGV consistently exceeded expectations. Among new programs in 2025, UTRGV was one of only two to record a win and became the winningest of 11 inaugural FCS teams since the 1978 subdivision split. They also set records for victories against FCS competition, became the first inaugural team to go undefeated at home (7-0), and were one of only a handful of first-year programs ever to receive votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll – earning votes in 10 different weeks and coming close to cracking the Top-25.

UTRGV earned national recognition and had finalists for the Walter Payton Award, Jerry Rice Award, Eddie Robinson Award, and FCS Coordinator of the Year. Quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger placed in the Payton Award voting, freshman receiver Tony Diaz finished seventh for the Rice Award (with linebacker Jaiden Haygood also receiving votes), and head coach Travis Bush placed sixth for national coach of the year honors.

Statistically, UTRGV dominated across the board, leading the Southland Conference in 15 categories. Nationally, they ranked first in blocked kicks allowed (0), blocked punts allowed (0), and fumbles lost (1); second in fumbles recovered (13); third in turnover margin (+1.33); sixth in scoring offense (39.6 points per game) and defensive touchdowns (4); seventh in turnovers gained (25); eighth in passing efficiency (165.62); 18th in total offense (435.2 yards per game); and among the nation's best in discipline with just 61 penalties all season.

UTRGV FOOTBALL RETURNS TO PRACTICE AHEAD OF SECOND SEASON
The inaugural UTRGV football team set the standard by going 9-3, the best record ever by a brand-new FCS program.

Some of the top offensive players from that team have moved on, but as head coach Travis Bush was quick to point out to his team at the end of the first practice of training camp on Thursday at the Vaqueros Performance Center, all of the best players from the 2026 team were right there on the field.

That includes a defense that returns eight players who started more than half of the Vaqueros' games last season, including defensive backs Dorian Blackwell, TJ Neal, and Alijah Prosser, linebackers Jaiden Haygood and Spencer Rich, defensive linemen Jayden House and Nathan Huerta, and defensive end Hank Filamar. The Vaqueros also return multi-game defensive starters defensive back Marcus Heard Jr., defensive lineman Jaden Wincher, and defensive ends Ja'Marcus Anderson and Percy Jackson III.

That defensive unit that led the Southland in five statistical categories, ranking second in the FCS in fumbles recovered (13), sixth in defensive touchdowns (4), seventh in turnovers gained (25), 10th in team passing efficiency defense (116.93), and 28th in sacks allowed per game (1.50).

UTRGV was also 14th in the FCS and third in the Southland in points allowed per game (18.8), 16th in the FCS and third in the Southland in rushing yards allowed per game (119.3), 19th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in total yards allowed per game (328.4), 22nd in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in passes intercepted (12), 22nd in the FCS and fifth in the Southland in tackles for loss per game (6.5), 32nd in the FCS and third in the Southland in fewest first downs allowed (221), 34th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in sacks per game (2.25), and 40th in the FCS and third in the Southland in red zone defense (79.3%).

Offensively, the Vaqueros return a strong offensive line, led by returners Nick Hughes, Gannon Lauer, Abram Nicklas, and Wes Thompson. The offensive line allowed just 1.50 sacks per game, the 28th best mark in the FCS and second best in the Southland last season.

Among the positions to watch on offense as training camp begins are quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end, which feature impressive depth.

At quarterback, the Vaqueros feature Jaxon Baize, Atzel Chavez Jr., Aidan Jakobsohn, Jayden Paluseo, and Garret Rangel, the first four of which are returners. Jakobsohn saw the most time on the field of the returners last season, appearing in seven games off the bench. Chavez and Jackobsohn joined the team in the fall of 2024 for the practice season with Baize and Paluseo following in the spring of 2025 after graduating high school early. Rangel transferred from Virginia Tech this past spring after playing his first three seasons at Oklahoma State.

The Vaqueros have impressive depth returning at the running back position as well, including TJ Dement, who made three starts while primarily serving as the No. 2 running back last season, Fabian Garcia, who worked his way up the depth chart to appear in six games, and Brennan Carroll, who had a big spring with his blazing speed. The newcomers include LSU-transfer Malachi Lane and the program's first-ever three-star recruit, freshman Jackson Regan.

The Vaqueros have a strong mix of returners and newcomers among their 16 listed wide receivers. Tavian Cord (12 games, eight starts) and Hunter Luke (12 games) have the most UTRGV experience, just ahead of Kyran Lee (11 games, eight starts) and Cameron Glenn (11 games). The newcomers include Tulsa-transfer Alex Green, North Texas-transfer Jaydon Smith, and Southwestern-transfer Clint Thomas Jr.

At tight end, the Vaqueros have a pair of transfers, with Reid Mikeska (Florida Atlantic) and Garrison Curry (Presbyterian) and returners including Tyler Day, who moved to tight end from linebacker, and Mateo Grajeda, who appeared in all 12 games last season.

UTRGV FOOTBALL PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE
Entering its second season of play, the UTRGV Vaqueros football team was picked to finish fourth in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll on Monday.

The Vaqueros tied for third in the Southland in their inaugural season, going 5-3 in conference play. Their only losses were on the road to the three teams the Southland sent to the FCS Playoffs, including defending conference champion and preseason favorite Stephen F. Austin (SFA), second place Southeastern, and third place Lamar, which were picked to finish in that order again while receiving at least one first place vote each, with SFA earning six for 77 points, Southeastern getting three for 75 points, and Lamar receiving the final first place vote for 67 points. UTRGV received 50 points.

UTRGV FOOTBALL PLACES 12 ON PHIL STEELE PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
Phil Steele recognized on Monday 12 players from the UTRGV football team as preseason all-Southland Conference honorees, including junior offensive lineman Nick Hughes (first team), senior offensive lineman Wes Thompson (first team), graduate student wide receiver Tavian Cord (second team), and fifth year offensive lineman Abram Nicklas (second team) on offense, junior linebacker Jaiden Haygood (first team), fifth year defensive back TJ Neal (first team), junior defensive back Alijah Prosser (first team), graduate student defensive lineman Josh Cashiola (second team), and postbaccalaureate linebacker Spencer Rich (second team) on defense, and fifth year punter Nathaniel Wallace-Dilling (first team), senior kicker Brysen Gardner (second team), and senior long snapper Connor Cortez (second team) on special teams.

The Vaqueros are the only team to have three offensive linemen honored, ahead of defending Southland Conference Champion Stephen F. Austin (SFA) and 2025 runner-up Southeastern, which each had two honorees.

UTRGV's 12 honorees rank second in the Southland behind only SFA (14) while finishing ahead of Southeastern (10). UTRGV is tied for the second most offensive honorees with four, behind only Southeastern (five) and SFA. UTRGV's five defensive honorees is second behind only SFA (six). UTRGV has the second most special teams honorees with three, behind only SFA (four).

The offensive line allowed just 1.50 sacks per game, the 28th best mark in the FCS and second best in the Southland last season. They consistently gave quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger, a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, considerable time to make passes, allowing him and the UTRGV offense to be among the best in the nation. The extra time also helped the UTRGV offense to go the entire season without committing a fumble.

The UTRGV offense led the Southland in five categories, ranking sixth in the FCS in points per game (39.6), eighth in passing efficiency (165.62), 15th in passing yards per completion (13.72), 18th in total yards per game (435.2), and 24th in third down conversion percentage (45.0%). UTRGV also ranked 21st in the FCS and second in the Southland in rushing yards per game (188.3), 24th in the FCS and second in the Southland in passing yards per game (246.9), 28th in the FCS and fourth in the Southland in red zone offensive conversions (86.5%), and 31st in the FCS and third in the Southland in completion percentage (64.1%).

Hughes, Thompson, and Nicklas started all 12 games. Hughes earned FCS Football Central and Phil Steele Freshman All-American honors in addition to all-conference second team recognition from the Southland and third team from Phil Steele. Thompson earned Phil Steele All-Conference Fourth Team honors.

UTRGV FOOTBALL RECEIVING VOTES IN AFCA FCS COACHES POLL
The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) released the FCS Coaches Poll on Monday and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros football team is receiving votes in a second preseason poll ahead of the 2026 season.

UTRGV received nine votes in the preseason poll, tied for 10th-most among teams receiving votes outside of the top 25. The Vaqueros were also receiving votes in the Preseason Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll.

UTRGV went 9-3 in its inaugural season in 2025, becoming the first start-up program at the NCAA DI-AA/FCS level to win nine games in its debut season since Div. I college football split into two levels. The Vaqueros broke Florida International's record with six wins against NCAA DI-AA/FCS competition, the most for a first-year team. They were also the only inaugural team to go undefeated at home, finishing 7-0 at Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium.

UTRGV's only losses last season were on the road against FCS Playoff teams – all three of those opponents (No. 13 Stephen F. Austin, No. 20 Southeastern, and No. 21 Lamar) are in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll.

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL GAME SOLD OUT
Saturday's season-opening football game between The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros and UT Permian Basin, set to kick off at 7 p.m. at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium, is now sold out.

UTRGV has sold out eight consecutive home games after selling out all seven in the inaugural season. The Vaqueros ranked 11th in the FCS in total attendance (87,774), 15th in average attendance (12,539), and sixth in percentage of capacity (104.49%) in 2025. Due to high demand, UTRGV expanded the south end zone by approximately 1,500 seats prior to the 2026 season, increasing the overall capacity of Vackar Stadium to 13,498 – up from 12,000.

GAME INFORMATION
Saturday's game will be broadcasted on ESPN+. To follow the action for the Falcons all season long, please check out our Live Events page for all of the video and live stats details: https://utpbfalcons.com/coverage.

In addition, all UTPB home and away football games can be heard live on KQRX 95.1 FM, 95X, a West Texas Radio Group station" with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Monty Montgomery (Play-by-Play) and Chad Kelly (Color Commentary) will be in their second season together in the broadcast booth.