The rivalry became notably heated during their time as members of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

The game was traditionally the final of the season for each school during their time in the SLC, often holding conference title and playoff implications.

The 2011 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team won the final meeting as conference rivals, beating the Bobcats 36-14 in San Marcos, TX in front of a sold-out crowd, clinching the Southland title in the process.

The teams met each again for the first time as NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams in 2024, Texas State as a member of the Sun Belt Conference and Sam Houston State in Conference USA.

[4] Sam Houston won the game 40–39 on a game-winning field goal with 6 seconds left after having trailed by 22 points at the end of the first quarter.