UT Permian Basin football program kicks off with first game Saturday

Students are back in classes, fall is just around the corner and — finally — it’s time for college football! Teams from across The University of Texas System are gearing up for a great season.

This weekend will be historic for The University of Texas Permian Basin as its newly established football team takes to the turf for its first game.

UT Permian Basin’s head coach Justin Carrigan will lead the Falcons in its inaugural season with an opening game against Sul Ross State University on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

The addition of a football team has sparked enthusiasm throughout the UTPB community, intensifying school spirit and building a sense excitement and anticipation across the region.    

UT Permian Basin was authorized by the UT System Board of Regents to proceed with a Football Initiative Business Plan in December 2013 and now the vision is becoming reality.

“The vision and leadership of the Board of Regents, UT System officers and community leaders, like Kirk Edwards made this happen,” UT Permian Basin President David Watts said. “This is an exciting opportunity for our students and our community.”

Three other UT football programs also are getting ready to lace up their cleats for game day this weekend.

The University of Texas at Austin will introduce its newest member of the team, BEVO XV, when the Longhorns host Notre Dame on Sept. 4. BEVO XV’s debut corresponds with the 100^th anniversary of BEVO’s first appearance at a UT Austin football game. Charlie Strong, the 29^th head coach in UT Austin’s history, will lead the team in his third season as a Longhorn.

Like UTPB, The University of Texas at San Antonio also is starting its football season under a new head coach, Frank Wilson. The Roadrunners will open their sixth season of play on Sept. 3 against Alabama State.

The University of Texas at El Paso will begin their season by hosting New Mexico State on Sept. 3. Sean Kugler, who played football at UT El Paso under current director of athletics Bob Stull, is in his third season as the Miners’ head coach.  

And now, a fifth UT institution is looking into the possibility of beginning a football program. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley announced the creation of a football feasibility study, chaired by renowned coach Mack Brown.

“As we work on our strategic and master plans, it is important that we examine all aspects of our future. This is an ideal time for our university to explore the possibility of bringing college football to the Rio Grande Valley,” said UT Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey.

Full details of season openers:

UT Permian Basin vs. Sul Ross State University Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. CST at Ratliff Stadium

UT Austin vs. Notre Dame, Sunday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. CST at Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

UT San Antonio vs. Alabama State, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. CST at the Alamodome

UT El Paso vs. New Mexico State, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. MST at the Sun Bowl Stadium

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 221,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $17.9 billion (FY 2017) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.