Texas State coach G.J. Kinne and UTSA coach Jeff Traylor are about to clash for the fourth time on the gridiron this Saturday, but this isn’t just any rivalry game. This is a mentor-mentee showdown where the mentee, Kinne, has completely flipped the script, holding a 2-1 lead over his former high school coach and, frankly, causing his old mentor some genuine suffering.
The Mentor, The Mentee, And The Misery
These two go way back, twenty years to be exact, to when Kinne was slinging the ball as quarterback for Traylor’s Gilmer High team in 2006. Their connection is pure football family. They reunited as assistants at SMU in 2017 and then at Arkansas in 2018. Kinne even stood as a groomsman for Traylor’s son, Jordan’s wedding, just months before their first face-off as I-35 rivals. But don’t expect any deep chats this week. Traylor figures communication will be limited to a quick pregame hug. His message to Kinne? “How much I love him, how proud I am of him, and I’ll ask if he’ll give me one back.”
It’s clear, though, that the competitive fire is burning. Traylor didn’t hold back, saying Kinne “doesn’t need near the advice that he used to, because he’s kicking my tail now, and I guess he’s not willing to share the advice back to his old mentor.” Traylor admitted, “He’s caused me a lot of misery the last two years, to be very honest. It’s been tough on me, but personally, I’m happy for him.” Kinne totally gets why they’re avoiding contact this week, even with those strong family ties.
Battles On The Gridiron
Even with the personal connection, the stats don’t lie. Kinne’s Texas State squad is leading the head-to-head against Traylor 2-1. Last year, Texas State put up 43 points to UTSA’s 36 on September 6, 2025. While UTSA still leads the all-time series 5-2, those recent losses definitely sting Traylor. This season, UTSA comes in hot at 1-0 after a 45-16 win against UTRGV on September 5. Texas State, however, is looking to bounce back from a tough 59-7 loss to Texas on September 5, putting them at 0-1.
This Saturday’s matchup at 2:30 p.m. in San Marcos, at UFCU Stadium, is going to be a must-watch. Texas State is planning a “White Out” and giving away rally towels and pom-poms to the first 10,000 fans. With high temperatures expected, they’re even letting fans bring in one unopened bottle of water. You can catch the game on The CW or stream it on ESPN+. Will Kinne continue his hot streak and add to his mentor’s misery, or will Traylor finally turn the tables and reclaim bragging rights? You know we’ll be watching every snap.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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