The UTRGV Vaqueros football program made a noticeable jump in the latest rankings, earning 15 votes in the Week 1 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, up from 13 a week earlier.
Poll Performance and National Recognition
That tally reflects the team's reputation for a high‑octane offense, as they currently boast the top total offense in the Southland Conference at 548.5 yards per game and rank eighth nationally, while their passing attack sits fifth in the country at 324.5 yards per game.
Defensively, the Vaqueros have also impressed, leading the conference in third‑down and fourth‑down conversion defense, a metric that underscores the unit's ability to thwart opponents when it matters most.
In addition to the coaches poll, the team collected 12 points in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll released on Monday, reinforcing their standing among the nation’s elite FCS programs. The Southland Conference, which houses four poll‑ranked squads, includes No. 9 Stephen F. Austin and No. 17 Lamar, both of which also appear in the Top 25.
The Vaqueros are slated to face Nicholls on Saturday at 6 p.m., a matchup that will test their momentum as they look to translate poll recognition into on‑field success.