Kingsville, Texas — Texas A&M-Kingsville dropped its season opener to No. 8 Northwest Missouri State, 48-3, Saturday at Javelina Stadium.

What could go wrong for the Javelinas (0-1, 0-0 LSC) did go wrong in their season opener, as a 24-point first half by the Bearcats (1-0, 0-0 MIAA) powered them to the victory. Saturday's contest marked the largest margin of defeat the Javelinas have suffered during the Scott Parr era.

The Javelinas effectively moved the ball on their first two drives, converting twice on fourth down thanks to Mills Dawson. However, the Hogs came away with zero points. The first drive stalled, while the second resulted in six points for the Bearcats after a Javelina turnover.

Another Javelina turnover set the Bearcats up inside the Javelina 20-yard line and resulted in a field goal for Northwest Missouri, making it a 10-0 game. The Javelinas would not get on the board until they trailed 17-0, when a Kadarious Coleman interception set them up in the red zone for an easy three points.

That sequence would be the lone bright spot for the Hogs in the first half, as another Northwest Missouri touchdown made it a 21-point game heading into the break. The Javelinas had a chance to make it an interesting game in the second half when King Johnson caught a deep ball from Dawson to put Texas A&M-Kingsville in prime position to reach the end zone. However, that would not come to fruition, as a fumble on the goal line kept the Javelinas out of the end zone.

Texas A&M-Kingsville will be on the road for the first time in the 2026 season when it takes on Saginaw Valley State. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the action on X at JavelinaFB.