After a 31-0 season-opening win over Sam Houston, the 2022 Texas A&M Aggies looked poised for another home blowout. Favored by 17 points, with their own “Yell Leaders” joking about whether the opponent even existed, the Aggies viewed the matchup as a tune-up before their first real test against Miami. Instead, they found themselves in a dogfight with Appalachian State and walked off Kyle Field stunned by a 17-14 loss. Now, with the UTSA Roadrunners set to visit No. 19 Texas A&M at 7 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 in College Station, the question lingers: could history repeat itself? What parallels exist between App State’s upset and UTSA’s chances of pulling off a similar shocker?
Underdog Mindset
To beat a more talented team, the underdog must play disciplined football and avoid self-inflicted mistakes. App State executed this perfectly, dominating time of possession (41:29 to 18:31), committing no turnovers while forcing two fumbles, and winning third down efficiency decisively (45 percent to 25 percent). By contrast, the 2024 Roadrunners were one of the nation’s least disciplined teams, ranking 133rd out of 134 with 8.8 penalties per game. Texas A&M wasn’t much better, finishing 123rd with 7.9 penalties per game. UTSA coach Jeff Traylor has emphasized discipline and toughness throughout the 2025 offseason, expecting major improvement. For the Roadrunners, the formula is simple: win the turnover battle, win on third down and cut down on mental mistakes.
Roadrunner Roadmap: Finish +2 in turnovers, convert third downs at a rate 10 percent higher and commit three penalties or fewer.
McCown’s Moment
App State quarterback Chase Brice epitomized the game manager role in the 2022 upset. He went 15-of-30 for 134 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. His numbers were not flashy, but he made the plays that mattered and let his teammates shine. UTSA junior QB Owen McCown, a 2025 Maxwell Award candidate, brings more firepower. In his breakout first season as a starter, he threw for 3,424 yards, 25 TDs and 10 INTs, while adding 340 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. The Roadrunners will need a performance from McCown similar to last year’s win over ranked Memphis, when he passed for 280 yards, four TDs and zero INTs while completing throws to 10 different receivers. For UTSA to pull the upset, McCown must outplay the Aggies’ expected starter Marcel Reed.
Roadrunner Roadmap: McCown throws for 275 or more yards, rushes for 40 or more yards, at least three TDs and no turnovers.
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Roadrunner Roadmap: McCown throws for 250+ passing yards, 40+ rushing yards, 3+ TDs and has zero turnovers (INTs or fumbles)
Week One Weakness
The first game of the season often brings inconsistent play as teams adjust to new players and coaches. With the transfer portal accelerating roster turnover, week one can be especially unpredictable. While App State’s upset of Texas A&M came in week two, the Mountaineers are most famous for stunning No. 5 Michigan in the 2007 season opener at Ann Arbor. Texas A&M returns a strong core of starters, so UTSA must start fast before the Aggies settle in. The numbers back it up: in 2024, UTSA was either leading or tied at halftime in all seven of its wins, while Texas A&M trailed or was tied at the break in each of its five losses.
Roadrunner Roadmap: Start fast by scoring a TD on the opening drive and taking a lead of at least 10 points into halftime.
Roadrunner Roadmap: Start fast by scoring a TD on the opening drive and taking a lead of at least 10 points into halftime.
Closing Thoughts
An intriguing subplot to this matchup is Traylor’s history with Texas A&M. He interviewed for the Aggies’ head coaching job in 2023 before the school ultimately hired Mike Elko from Duke. College Station has long been considered a dream destination for Traylor, and what better way to strengthen his résumé than by beating the coach chosen over him. Expect the Roadrunners to feed off the extra energy and emotion Traylor brings to this game. On Aug. 30, we will see whether it is the Aggies or the Roadrunners ending the final whistle in victory formation. Will UTSA follow the App State blueprint to hand A&M another home upset or will the Aggies take their first step toward a College Football Playoff run?
