Vaqueros route Lobos in their first game back

Edinburg (TX)- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s inaugural football season has finally arrived. Draft Diamonds reporter, Justin Kelm & his wife Chyann Kelm have made the seven hour trip to Edinburg. The Vaqueros started the day with a tailgate that began at 2 pm CT in the blazing south Texas sun.

All the locals told me “welcome to the valley” as I made my way around the tailgate. For one true fan of the Vaqueros, Mr. Roy Rivas (@utrgvditv) the journey to game day was a blessing. He has been covering the Vaqueros and was ready for the debut. The debut at Robert & Janet Vackar Stadium. As the time passed, the crowds began to funnel in.

The Vaqueros marching band took the field and played honor to the school with the school fight song. The marching band formed the powerful “V” and “Texas”. As this finished, the Sul Ross State Lobos took the field. They were greeted with a sea of rowdy Vaqueros fans. They made sure to let the opposing team know they were not welcome.

A hype video came upon the scoreboard and the time had come. As the clock struck 7 pm, the Vaqueros made their way out the Robert & Laurie Lozano Family Tunnel. The long awaited debut was here. The announcer began by hyping the crowd and the pyrotechnics blasted off. A sea of orange filled the stadium. The Vaqueros started their inaugural season by winning the toss, but deferred to the second half. The Lobos were given the chance first to score on the Vaqueros, but they were greeted by an angry defense.

The first play resulted in a sack. Redshirt Freshman CB #1 Alijah Prosser (Manor HS) who plays the “Star” position for the Vaqueros blew through the Lobos offensive line and greeted Martinez with the sack. The second play resulted in the same, as graduate student from Utah Tech and starting MLB #45 Spencer Rich displayed his talents. The Nashville, Tennessee native (Brentwood HS) greeted Lobos QB #11 Andrew Martinez the El Paso, Texas (Eastwood HS) with the sack. Rich swam through the Lobos offensive line. The Vaqueros defense forced the three and out.

For Redshirt Senior Quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger (Sharyland Pioneer High School) this is homecoming. Marburger spent his high school days at Sharyland Pioneer High School in Mission, Texas. While with the Diamondbacks, Marburger put himself on the Texas high school football map after a junior season that resulted in two all-state nods. Marburger threw for 4,505 yards and 58 touchdowns, while also running for 1,009 yards and 16 more touchdowns in 13 games. All of this landed him the opportunity to play collegiate football at UTSA.

Marburger played from 2021 to 2024 with the Roadrunners. His most notable moment came during his redshirt junior season (last season) as he helped the Roadrunners to a Myrtle Beach Bowl victory over Coastal Carolina. After spending all his time with UTSA, Marburger entered the transfer portal. That’s when the Vaqueros offered and the rest is history. Marburger now comes home to play with a Vaqueros team that is looking to make some noise in their first season. Marburger stated, “I want to help win the FCS championship in year one.”

For the Vaqueros their mantra is to #RallyTheValley and it is prevalent all throughout the city. With Marburger commanding the offense, the Vaqueros look to make noise. And it did not disappoint. Marburger found Redshirt Sophomore WR #4 Xayvion Noland for the first touchdown in program history. A easy score gave the Vaqueros the early lead. The route began, Marburger found Nebraska transfer, TE #8 Ismael Smith Flores (Martin HS) for the score. The PAT was good and it was 14-0. Another play on defense and the Vaqueros got the ball back. As always Mqrburger found Redshirt Freshman WR #14 (San Marcos HS) for the score.

Three by air and then another by the ground as Redshirt Junior RB #34 Djouvensky Schlenbaker (Squalicum HS) scored on the rush. The second quarter was filled with more scores. As the Vaqueros kept putting it on. The score was 49-0 at the half. The band provided a great performance as the fans cheered on. You could feel the energy as the drums played.

At the half, official attendance was 12,726. Marburger was 18 for 19 (95%) and 365 passing yards. He added on 5 passing scores. The night was over for him as he was taken out. As the third quarter began, Redshirt Freshman QB #3 Aidan Jakobsohn entered the game. The same results continued. Redshirt Freshman RB #20 TJ Dement (Boerne HS) found the end zone again.

Then Redshirt Freshman RB #24 Fabian Garcia (San Benito HS) found the end zone again. The score was now 63-0 as the third quarter came to a close. The clock continued to run and a field goal by Redshirt Sophomore Kicker #37 Brysen Gardner (Centennial HS) booted it to make it 66-0. And the final score was just that. History was made. After the game, the post game press conference was packed.