Fans in San Marcos battled an absolute hellscape of heat at Texas State’s home opener against UTSA on Saturday, September 12. With temperatures hitting a brutal 100 degrees and the National Weather Service reporting a heat index as high as 107, the stadium was far from packed for the Bobcats’ first home game as a Pac-12 member.
The Scene on the Ground
The situation was so dire, the X account Bobcat Nation didn’t pull any punches, tweeting, “Stadium is EMPTY at KickOFF. An Absolute failure by @TXST.” But it wasn’t a lack of desire from the San Marcos faithful. Those in attendance quickly chimed in, clarifying many fans were simply hiding from the scorching sun, tucked away in the stadium concourse seeking shade. A live broadcast shot really drove it home, showing large groups crammed into shaded areas while seats baked in direct sunlight sat almost empty. It was a brutal scene.
Heat Wave Hits Hard
This isn’t new, either. Just last week, fans at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium were fleeing for the shade during the Texas vs. Texas State game because the heat made it unbearable. Even Ryan Nolan, #7 for the Bobcats, who celebrated an interception against Texas just the week before, couldn’t have been ready for this kind of fan-side struggle. The extreme conditions sparked real talk among fans, with many arguing that all September college football games in Texas absolutely need to be played in the evening to even stand a chance against these brutal temperatures. The NWS is forecasting highs of 101 and that 107-degree heat index for today, with only a slight chance of showers tonight when temps *might* dip to a mere 76 degrees. That’s still a hot night, man.
The I-35 rivalry series game definitely gave Texas State a memorable, albeit blisteringly hot, start to their Pac-12 home schedule. Let’s hope future matchups bring cooler temps and a packed house, not an empty one seeking relief.
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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