UTSA Roadrunners (4-7, 3-4) at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (8-3, 5-2)
2:30 p.m. | Nov. 30, 2019
Joe Aillet Stadium (28,562) | Ruston, La.
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Ticket 760 AM
Opening drive
• This will be the eighth meeting between UTSA and Louisiana Tech, making it the most-played series — along with Rice — in program history.
• The Bulldogs own a 6-1 edge in the all-time series, including a 4-0 mark in Ruston.
• The Roadrunners' lone win in the series was a 30-10 decision on Nov. 30, 2013.
• With 84 tackles for loss through 11 games, UTSA has shattered the school's single-season record of 77 set in 13 games in 2016.
• Senior DE Eric Banks will break the UTSA record for career games played with his 48thappearance on Saturday.
• The game will air on ESPN+, marking the 84th straight UTSA contest to be broadcast.
Setting the scene
UTSA will conclude its ninth season of play on Saturday, Nov. 30, against Louisiana Tech in a Conference USA road game in Ruston, La. Kickoff for the eighth meeting between the Roadrunners (4-7, 3-4 C-USA) and Bulldogs (8-3, 5-2) is set for 2:30 p.m. at Joe Aillet Stadium and the game will air on ESPN+ and Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area.
Tuning in
The game will air on the ESPN+ digital network, which can be found online at plus.espn.com and via the ESPN app. Lyn Rollins (play-by-play) and Chris Mykoskie (analyst) have the call. The contest will air live on the Roadrunners Sports Network and can be heard in the San Antonio area on Ticket 760 AM. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (sideline reporter) will call all the action. The pregame show will begin at 12:30 p.m. and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. The broadcast also can be heard live online at goUTSA.com and ticket760.comand via the free iHeartRadio app.
About ESPN+
Saturday's game will stream live on the ESPN+ digital network. ESPN+ is a direct-to-consumer (no cable or satellite subscription needed) streaming service that costs $4.99 per month. ESPN+ can be found online at plus.espn.com and via the ESPN app. Subscribers will receive access to thousands of live events, original shows and films and an on-demand library, which is not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks. ESPN+ is NOT included with your cable/satellite subscription, and ESPN+ does NOT include other ESPN content (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, ESPN3, etc). It is a completely standalone subscription.
Who's counting?
Saturday's league tilt will mark the 106th game in UTSA history and the 53rd road contest. The Roadrunners are 45-60 all-time and 19-33 away from the Alamo City. Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech has played football since 1901 and sports an all-time record of 628-464-38.
Louisiana homecoming
A total of 10 Roadrunners could play in their home state of Louisiana this Saturday in Ruston. Natives of the Pelican State on the UTSA roster include Layton Garnett (West Monroe), Lowell Narcisse (St. James), Antonio Parks (Reserve), Donovan Perkins (Zachary) and New Orleans natives Dywan Griffin, Nolan Heitmeier, Sheldon Jones, Ashton Merrett, Reggie Ross and Jahmal Sam. Additionally, head coach Frank Wilson, running backs coach Rishaw Johnson and cornerbacks coach Deron Wilson all hail from New Orleans, while defensive coordinator/safeties coach Jason Rollins is originally from Lake Charles.
Scouting Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs have lost their last two games and will enter Saturday's matchup at 8-3 overall and 5-2 in Conference USA. After opening the campaign with a 45-14 setback at Texas, Louisiana Tech reeled off eight straight wins before the current two-game losing streak. The Bulldogs are averaging 33.4 points and 440.3 yards per game and are surrendering 23.4 points and 388.6 yards per outing. Quarterback J'Mar Smith, who has missed the last two contests, has completed 198 of 304 passes for 2,483 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 226 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. Smoke Harris (42 receptions, 327 yards) Cee Jay Powell (41-462), Adrian Hardy (39-482), Malik Stanley (33-534) and Griffin Hebert (25-419) are the top pass-catchers, while Justin Henderson is the top rusher with 862 yards and 15 TDs on 146 carries. L'Jarius Sneed is the top tackler with 65 stops, while Amik Robertson spearheads the secondary with 54 tackles, five interceptions and 16 pass breakups. Head coach Skip Holtz is 54-36 in his seventh season in Ruston and 142-107 overall in his 20thyear.
Series history
This will be the eighth meeting between UTSA and Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs own a 6-1 edge in the all-time series, including a 4-0 mark in games played in Ruston, La. The Roadrunners' lone win in the series was a 30-10 decision on Nov. 30, 2013, at the Alamodome.
Last meeting
Josiah Tauaefa posted a game-high 13 tackles, but Louisiana Tech used a 300-yard passing night from J'Mar Smith in a 31-3 on Oct. 13, 2018, at the Alamodome. Smith completed 25-of-36 passes for 309 yards and a touchdown to lead the Bulldogs to their fifth straight win against the Roadrunners. He hit Teddy Veal with seven passes for 75 yards, while Adrian Hardy hauled in five for 87 yards. Blaze Moorhead paced the UTSA offense with a career high six receptions for 87 yards, including a 52-yarder via a shovel pass on the Roadrunners' first play from scrimmage. Cordale Grundy passed for 191 yards and rushed for a team-high 60 and Marquez McNair pitched in with four catches for 54 yards.
Ball to face former team
UTSA first-year passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Tony Ball will face his former team when the Roadrunners line up against Louisiana Tech on Saturday. Ball spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons as the running backs coach for the Bulldogs under head coach Skip Holtz.
Last time out
Zakhari Franklin and Carlos Strickland II combined for 183 receiving yards, but Harrison Bryant caught 10 passes for 182 yards to help lead Florida Atlantic to a 40-26 victory over UTSA in Conference USA on Saturday night at the Alamodome. Franklin hauled in seven passes for 98 yards and his third touchdown of the season, while Strickland caught five balls for 85 yards and his team-leading fourth score of the fall to lead the Roadrunners, who topped the 400-yard mark on offense for the third straight game with 401 yards.
Brenden Brady rushed for a season-high 86 yards on 15 carries and Sincere McCormick added 76 on 12 totes to up his season yardage total to 864 and move into the No. 3 slot on the school's single-season list. Meanwhile, Rashad Wisdom registered 10 tackles to guide the UTSA defense. The true freshman also forced a fumble and recorded one of the Roadrunners' 10 tackles for loss on the night, tying the season high and giving UTSA 84 on the year to break the school record of 77 set in 13 games during the 2016 campaign.
Close to home
The 2019 schedule has kept the Roadrunners close to home, as the first eight games on the slate all were played in the state of Texas. That stretch ended with a trip to Norfolk, Va, on Nov. 9 for the 24-23 road win over Old Dominion. UTSA will play outside the state borders for just the second time this season when it travels to Ruston, La., to face Louisiana Tech this Saturday.
Ground attack
UTSA has used a potent ground attack to power its offense this season. The Roadrunners have piled up 1,822 rushing yards through 11 games, an average of 165.6 per contest, which ranks sixth in Conference USA. They are rushing for 175.7 yards per game in league play, good for fifth in the circuit. UTSA has recorded two of the top eight team rushing yardage totals in program history this season, as the Roadrunners gained 320 (No. 3) in the 26-16 win over UTEP on Oct. 5 and tallied 284 (No. 8) in the 35-7 triumph over UIW on Aug. 31. UTSA has registered four individual 100-yard rushing performances this fall — two by quarterbacks — and is one of 23 FBS teams to boast at least three different 100-yard rushers in 2019. In the season opener versus UIW, sophomore signal caller Frank Harris set a program record for rushing yards by a QB with 123 on 15 carries. A pair of Roadrunners topped the century mark in the C-USA victory at UTEP, as freshman tailback Sincere McCormick gashed the Miners for a school-record 189 yards on 22 totes and sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse carried 19 times for 115 yards. McCormick topped the century for the second time in his young career with 134 on 23 carries in the 24-23 win over Old Dominion. He leads the team with 864 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while Narcisse has tallied 492 yards and four scores on the ground.
Sincere success
UTSA tailback Sincere McCormick has enjoyed a record-breaking start to his collegiate career and he has been named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Midseason Watch List for his performance. Through 11 games, the 5-9, 200-pounder has rushed 160 times for 864 yards and eight touchdowns, all team highs. He is posting 78.5 rushing yards per contest, good for sixth overall in the league and first among freshmen. In fact, the Converse Judson High School product stands fourth among all FBS freshmen in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game. On Oct. 5, he gashed UTEP for 189 yards on 22 carries to eclipse by three yards the school record for single-game rushing yardage previously held by Jarveon Williams, also a former Judson Rocket. He topped the century mark for the second time with 134 yards and a pair of TDs on 23 totes in the 24-23 victory at Old Dominion on Nov. 9. As the first true freshman to start at tailback in a season opener since the inaugural game in 2011, McCormick gained 74 yards on 12 totes with a long of 47 in the 35-7 victory over UIW. He followed that performance with 87 yards and two scores on 12 rushes, including a season-long 54-yard TD scamper, against Baylor. McCormick, who rushed for 3,407 yards and 43 touchdowns during his prep career, posted 53 total yards and scored his third rushing TD of the season versus Army. He added 62 rushing yards on 16 carries against North Texas before his record-setting night in El Paso that featured a 51-yard TD dash in the fourth quarter. He ran for 94 yards and a TD on 14 carries in the 31-27 victory over Rice and added 43 rushing yards to go along with a 44-yard reception against Texas A&M. In his last outing, he carried 12 times for 76 yards against Florida Atlantic. McCormick leads the Roadrunners with 1,046 all-purpose yards and his average of 95.1 per game stands seventh among FBS freshmen. He ranks third on UTSA's single-season rushing yardage list and fourth on the all-purpose yardage chart and is chasing Williams' records of 1,042 rushing yards set in 2015 and his all-purpose yards standard of 1,121 established one year later. McCormick is just one score shy of Jalen Rhodes' single-season rushing touchdowns mark of nine from 2016.
Sophomore signal caller steps up
Sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse has stepped up in his role as UTSA's starter after an injury to Frank Harris on the second snap of the North Texas game on Sept. 21. The 6-3, 230-pound lefthander has passed for 1,226 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 492 yards and four TDs this fall. He saw limited action in the first three games but did score his first touchdown in a UTSA uniform on a 2-yard keeper against Army. A native of St. James, La., Narcisse entered the North Texas contest off the bench and carried the ball 15 times for 98 yards and completed 16 passes for 124 yards. In his first start as a Roadrunner, he rushed for 115 yards and a TD on 19 attempts to become the second QB this season and third in UTSA history to top the century mark on the ground. He also provided a highlight-reel play in the third quarter of that contest when he scrambled to his left and tiptoed near the sideline before tossing an off-balance throw to Blaze Moorhead for an 18-yard scoring connection. He added a game-high 86 rushing yards and his third TD of the season in the UAB contest and followed that by completing 19 of 29 for 212 yards and a pair of TDs in the 31-27 victory over Rice on Oct. 19. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 240 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown pass with 2:41 left to play, in the 24-23 victory at Old Dominion before enjoying his best passing performance as a Roadrunner with 325 yards and a pair of TDs on 22-of-40 passing against Southern Miss. That marked the seventh 300-yard passing game in program history and the first since 2017. His touchdown passes went for 75 yards to Joshua Cephus and 51 yards to Carlos Strickland, and his performance now ranks third on the school's single-game passing yardage list. Narcisse has thrown for 953 yards and seven TDs on 75-of-105 passing (71.4%) in his last five contests, with 863 of those yards and all seven scores coming in league play. With one game left on the fall slate, he is only 53 yards shy of UTSA's single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 545 set by Dalton Sturm in 2017. Narcisse, who redshirted in 2017 at LSU before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2018 season, was a four-star recruit and rated as the fifth-best dual-threat QB in the nation as a prep senior in 2016.
Franklin bursts onto scene
After appearing in just three of UTSA's first six games, true freshman wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has burst onto the scene over the last five contests. Entering the Oct. 19 matchup with Rice with only three receptions for 30 yards to his name, the Cedar Hill High School product has hauled in 30 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns during his last five outings. He emerged as a reliable target with four catches for 26 yards, including a pair of 8-yard TD grabs — in the 31-27 victory over the Owls. Franklin again was on the receiving end of four passes for 46 yards at Texas A&M on Nov. 2 before opening eyes with a record-setting performance against Old Dominion on Nov. 9. The 6-1, 185-pounder had six receptions for 134 yards, including a season-long 65-yarder in the opening quarter. His performance ranks third on UTSA's single-game receiving yardage chart and is the top showing by a freshman in program history, bettering Kam Jones' 120-yard game at McNeese State in 2011. Franklin nearly turned in his second straight 100-yard receiving game with 97 yards on a season-best seven catches against Southern Miss on Nov. 16. He flirted with the century mark yet again in his last outing, catching a season-high-tying seven passes for 98 yards and a TD. For the year, he leads the team with 431 receiving yards and 53.9 receiving yards per game — which currently stands second on UTSA's single-season chart — and he ranks second on the squad with 33 catches and three TDs.
Sure-handed Strickland
UTSA junior tight end Carlos Strickland II has emerged as one of the top targets for the passing game this fall. A transfer from Kansas State who began his collegiate career at California, he leads the Roadrunners with 34 receptions and four touchdowns and ranks second with 422 receiving yards. A former four-star recruit out of Dallas Skyline High School, he posted his best game of the season in the 31-27 triumph over Rice, hauling in six passes for 86 yards on Oct. 19. Strickland was on the receiving end of five passes for 79 yards, including a 51-yard TD reception, against Southern Miss and he followed that with five receptions for 85 yards and a score versus Florida Atlantic in his last outing. He registered four catches for 26 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening triumph over UIW and also was on the receiving end of four passes for 38 yards versus Army West Point. He caught his second TD pass of the season on an 11-yard reception for the go-ahead score in the 24-23 win at Old Dominion. Listed at 6-4, 230, Strickland joined UTSA as a walk-on for the spring semester before earning a scholarship this summer. The graduate student carries a perfect 4.0 GPA as a special education major.
Experience up front
UTSA boasted one of the most-experienced offensive lines in the nation entering the 2019 campaign. The Roadrunners returned a combined 46 starts from the 2018 season, which ranked 14th among FBS teams going into this fall. Three of the returnees started all 12 contests last fall: Kevin Davis at center, preseason all-conference selection Josh Dunlop at right guard and right tackle and Trevion Shannon at left tackle. Additionally, 2018 Conference USA All-Freshman Team honoree Spencer Burford made starts at left guard in all 10 games he was cleared to play, while Jalyn Galmore drew the starting assignment at right tackle in the first five contests before suffering a season-ending injury. Jacob Graner also is back after starting three games at guard. The experience up front is part of nine total offensive starters back this fall, which was tied for fourth among all FBS teams. UTSA's starting line of Burford, Davis, Dunlop, Shannon and center Ahofitu Maka now owns a combined 110 appearances and 105 starts.
Veteran defensive line boasts depth, experience
Much like the offensive side of the ball, big men lead the defense, especially when it comes to experience. UTSA welcomed back this season 11 defensive linemen who have seen previous action for the Roadrunners. Leading the way and now owning 37 starts in 4443 games played is senior defensive tackle Baylen Baker. Fellow senior Jarrod Carter-McLin, who boasts 46 career appearances, started all 12 contests at defensive end last fall and has drawn the start in 10 of the first 11 games this season. Senior Eric Banks leads all active players with 47 career appearances, tied for the school record, and he has made 20 career starts.
Creating havoc
The UTSA defense has become known for its attacking style during the Frank Wilson era, as the Roadrunners have posted a combined 312 tackles for loss, 94 sacks and 116 quarterback hurries in three-plus seasons. In surrendering just 209 yards of offense in the season-opening win against UIW, the Roadrunners recorded seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage — including four sacks — and pressured the quarterback seven times. UTSA tallied five stops for loss, including a sack by Rashad Wisdom, against Baylor and totaled five TFL and a pair of sacks, to go along with three forced fumbles — two of which were recovered — against the run-happy Army offense. Seven different players had a hand in a stop behind the line against North Texas and UTSA registered nine tackles for loss — including a season-best-tying four sacks — in the 26-16 triumph over UTEP. The Roadrunners added seven stops behind the line against UAB and nine TFL and a pair of sacks — which came on the final two defensive snaps — in the 31-27 victory over Rice. UTSA tackled Texas A&M players in the backfield six times, including a trio of sacks, and then registered a season-high 10 TFL with three sacks in the 24-23 win at Old Dominion. The Roadrunners registered nine stops behind the line against Southern Miss and then matched their season high with 10 versus Florida Atlantic to give them 84 for the season, which shattered the previous program record of 77 set in 13 games during the 2016 campaign. All totaled, 22 different Roadrunners have had a hand in a TFL and UTSA now is averaging 7.6 tackles for loss, which ranks second in C-USA and 14thnationally, and 1.91 sacks per game this season.
D-line depth on display
UTSA has used a heavy rotation on the defensive line this season, playing as many as three players at each position. That strategy keeps the unit fresh and spreads the wealth of stats among a dozen players. Of the school-record 84 tackles for loss and 21 sacks recorded by the Roadrunners so far this season, the defensive line has been responsible for 44 TFL and 15 sacks. Leading the way is junior defensive tackle Jaylon Haynes, who has 37 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and a team-best six quarterback hurries. Senior defensive end Jarrod Carter-McLin is right on his heels with 33 tackles, 8.0 TFL and 3.5 sacks to go along with four QB pressures, two pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery, which sealed the 24-23 win at Old Dominion. Meanwhile, junior defensive end DeQuarius Henry has registered 25 tackles, including 7.0 TFL and a team-high four sacks. Fellow junior DE Lorenzo Dantzler has made the most of his 18 stops, with 5.5 coming behind the line, including 3.5 sacks, to go along with four QB hurries. Senior DT Baylen Baker has turned in 18 stops with three coming behind the line, to go along with one PBU and a pair of pressures, while senior DE Eric Banks owns 2.5 TFL, a pair of sacks, two PBUs and two QB hurries.
Senior bookends leaving their mark
UTSA's senior defensive end tandem of Eric Banks and Jarrod Carter-McLin forms one of the most disruptive d-line duos in Conference USA. A former high school quarterback in Memphis, Tenn., who weighed 230 pounds as a freshman at UTSA, Banks has turned in 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The 6-5 former two-sport East High School star now weighs 270 pounds and is the most experienced player on the roster in terms of games played with 47, tied for the school record. Banks has totaled 77 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five forced fumbles — fifth in school history — and three PBUs during his career. Meanwhile, Carter-McLin has posted 33 tackles, 8.0 TFL and 3.5 sacks, four QB pressures and a pair of batted passes to go along with an interception against UAB, a forced fumble versus Army West Point and a fumble recovery that secured the win at Old Dominion. A product of perennial prep powerhouse Carthage High School, he has appeared in 46 career contests and owns 76 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, eight PBUs, two forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries and an interception. The former prep tight end also was on the receiving end of a 30-yard pass on UTSA's first fake field-goal attempt in 2016 against UTEP.
Martel makes most of position switch
UTSA senior Andrew Martel spent his first three seasons as a safety and special teams standout for the Roadrunners. Prior to spring practice this year, he made the move to linebacker to help fill a void left by departed 2018 starters Josiah Tauaefa and Les Maruo. The Richmond, Texas, native has flourished in his new role this season, as he leads the team with 74 total tackles and 51 solo stops. After registering four tackles in each of the first two contests, he posted 10 in back-to-back outings to close out the September slate. His 10 tackles against Army included eight solo stops and he added seven unassisted tackles at North Texas. Making the move from "Will" to "Mike" linebacker during the first off week for the Roadrunners, he picked up where left off by recording seven tackles and a PBU in the 26-16 victory at UTEP on Oct. 5. He added seven tackles in the UAB game, five solo stops in the Rice victory and seven stops — including a sack — versus Texas A&M before turning in eight tackles, a half-tackle for loss, one PBU and a QB hurry in the win at Old Dominion and seven stops (all solo), including a TFL, versus Southern Miss. The Foster High School product owns three career double-digit tackle outings counting the career-high 14-tackle effort he turned in at Southern Miss last fall. Also a standout student, Martel earned his bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies in May while graduating with a 3.69 GPA. The four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member was a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy and a member of the Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list.
Senior safety a steady hand in secondary
UTSA safety Carl Austin III has proven to be a steady hand in the secondary in his senior season. A native of Austin, he has posted 64 tackles (46 unassisted), 6.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup and a forced fumble while providing leadership for a unit that ranks fifth in Conference USA in passing defense. Austin III missed all of the 2018 campaign with an injury but has made an impact during his curtain call. He led UTSA with nine tackles in the 26-16 win over UTEP and followed that with seven stops, including 1.5 behind the line, versus UAB. He turned in a team-best six stops (all solo) in the 31-27 win over Rice and recorded six tackles versus Texas A&M. He made five stops, including 2.5 behind the line, and forced a fumble in the 24-23 win at Old Dominion before tallying seven tackles, including six unassisted and a TFL, versus Southern Miss. In his last appearance at the Alamodome, he recorded five tackles, including one behind the line, against Florida Atlantic. Austin tallied six tackles against both Baylor and North Texas earlier this fall and he stands second on the squad in total and unassisted tackles.
Grady shining in curtain call
UTSA cornerback Cassius Grady has shined in his final season as a Roadrunner. The Arlington native leads the Roadrunners with two interceptions and seven pass breakups and he also has registered 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble this fall. A starter in all 10 games this season and 19 during his two-year UTSA career, Grady has picked off passes in two of the last three games and now owns six for his career, which places him in a tie for third place on the program's all-time list. Additionally, his four INTs from last season are tied for the school's single-season mark. He opened his senior campaign with four tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, and a pair of PBUs in the 35-7 win against UIW. He also registered two pass breakups in the 26-16 triumph at UTEP and another PBU in the 31-27 victory over Rice, and he forced a fumble versus UAB. A product of Arlington High School by way of Northern Illinois and Trinity Valley Community College, he posted a career-best nine tackles, including his first career sack, in a nationally televised game at Texas A&M on Nov. 2.
Aussie makes immediate impact with leg and arm
UTSA freshman punter Lucas Dean, who was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list, has had an immediate impact in his first season as a Roadrunner. As the program's first player from Australia, the Dunsborough native is averaging 40.9 yards on 58 punts this season. He has boomed 10 punts that have sailed 50-plus yards, including a season-long 56-yard punt against Baylor, and he has pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 14 times and induced 26 fair catches. He turned in arguably his best game of the season in his last outing, as he averaged 44.7 yards on six punts, with four inside the 20, including a 53-yarder that was downed at the 1-yard line. A product of ProKick Australia, which boasts more than 60 current NCAA Division I punters, Dean enrolled at UTSA in January and earned the punting job in spring practice. Not only has he made an impact with his right leg, but he also showed off a weapon with his right arm in the Army contest, completing a 22-yard pass to Rashad Wisdom on a fake punt to convert a fourth down.
Kickoff coverage unit shines
The Roadrunners' kickoff coverage unit has shined this fall. UTSA is yielding an average kickoff return of 17.74 yards through the first 11 games, a figure that ranks second in Conference USA and 16thamong all FBS teams. Led by kickoff specialist Matthew Cluck, a graduate transfer from Texas Tech, the Roadrunners have 18 touchbacks and have allowed only 19 returns on 45 total kickoffs this fall. The longest return by an opposing team has been 26 yards, which was registered by both UIW and Baylor in the opening two contests. During the last nine games, UTSA has 17 touchbacks and has surrendered a total of 216 yards on 13 kickoff returns, an average of 16.6 yards.
New birds
In the season opener against UIW, 25 players made their UTSA debut, with eight drawing their first starting assignment as a Roadrunner. Sophomore quarterback Frank Harris set a school record by completing his first 13 pass attempts in his debut, while Sincere McCormick became the first true freshman to start at tailback in a season opener since the inaugural game on Sept. 3, 2011. Tight ends Carlos Strickland II and Leroy Watson and center Ahofitu Maka also drew their first starts in a UTSA uniform on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, senior linebacker LaDarian McFarland, junior safety SaVion Harris and true freshman Rashad Wisdom all made their first starts, while senior Andrew Martel started his first game as a linebacker after previously making two starts in the secondary during his career. In the road opener at Baylor, freshman wide receiver De'Corian Clark, junior safety Antonio Parks and junior linebacker Dominic Sheppard all made their UTSA debut, while true freshman Joshua Cephus drew his first starting assignment at wide receiver. In the 26-16 triumph over UTEP, sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse and sophomore linebacker Trevor Harmanson made their first starts in a UTSA uniform. Redshirt freshman Kelechi Nwachuku made his first start at safety in the win against Rice on Oct. 19, while true freshman Dywan Griffin earned the start at wide receiver against Texas A&M. One week later, fellow true freshman wide receiver Zakhari Franklin drew his first start in the 24-23 win at Old Dominion, while true freshman Jahmal Sam started at cornerback against Florida Atlantic. The Roadrunners now have 31 debuts and 15 first-time starters this season. When including special teams and punter Lucas Dean, seven true freshmen have made starts this fall, which is tied for seventh-most among all FBS teams. Additionally, UTSA's four true freshmen starters on offense is tied for the third-most in the nation.
Wilson in fourth year at helm
Frank Wilson is in his fourth season as UTSA head coach. The New Orleans native has coached 19 All-Conference USA selections and a pair of Freshman All-Americans during his tenure. Twice he has guided UTSA to bowl eligibility, including leading the program to its first-ever postseason appearance at the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl, as UTSA tied the NCAA modern startup program by reaching a bowl game in its sixth season of play. Wilson came to San Antonio after a six-year stint as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU, where he also was the associate head coach in 2012-15. Armed with more than a decade of coaching experience in the Southeastern Conference, Wilson also has been an assistant coach at Tennessee (2009), Southern Miss (2008) and Mississippi (2005-07). He has coached or recruited more than 40 individuals who have made it to the NFL, including 2018 NFL First Round Draft pick Marcus Davenport of the Saints.
Roadrunners on national award watch lists
Four Roadrunners earned their way onto national award watch lists this season. Senior linebacker Andrew Martel was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Martel also was a member of the preseason watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Fellow senior Grant Merka, a second-team All-Conference USA pick in 2018, is one of 25 players chosen for the inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award watch list for the nation's top long snapper. Freshman Lucas Dean was added to the Ray Guy Award watch list for the nation's top punter, while fellow freshman Sincere McCormick was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Midseason Watch List.
UTSA quartet has NFL ties
Four UTSA players have significant family ties when it comes to relatives who have played in the National Football League. Senior defensive tackle King Newton is the son of Nate Newton, who was a three-time Super Bowl Champion (1992-93, '95) and six-time Pro Bowl offensive guard (1992-96, '98) for the Cowboys. Junior defensive end Solomon Wise is the son of Deatrich Wise, a defensive lineman for the Seahawks and Saints, and his brothers Deatrich Jr. (Patriots) and Daniel (Cowboys) currently play in the NFL. Senior fullback Halen Steward is the younger brother of Tony Steward, a linebacker who logged time for the Bills and Saints, while sophomore cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr.'s father was a defensive lineman for the 49ers, Buccaneers and Jaguars.
Roadrunners roster makeup
UTSA's 110-man roster features 21 seniors, 27 juniors, 28 sophomores and 34 redshirt or true freshmen. The roster lists 75 players who hail from the state of Texas, while the next-closest state is Louisiana with 10. There are six players from Mississippi, five from Florida, three from California and Tennessee and a pair from Indiana. UTSA has one player each from Georgia, Hawai'i, Massachusetts, Michigan and Oklahoma, while freshman punter Lucas Dean is the first Roadrunner from Australia.
Degree in hand
Thirteen current Roadrunners already have earned their undergraduate degree, the 11th-most number of graduates among all FBS rosters. That list includes Carl Austin III, Baylen Baker, Matthew Cluck, Brandon Garza, Nick Locken, Andrew Martel, Grant Merka, Blaze Moorhead, Antonio Parks, Dominic Sheppard, Halen Steward, Carlos Strickland II and Brett Winnegan.
Leadership council elected
For the first time in program history, UTSA has elected a Leadership Council made up of representatives from each position group.
QB — Brandon Garza and Frank Harris
RB — Halen Steward
WR — Kirk Johnson Jr. and Blaze Moorhead
TE — Leroy Watson
OL — Josh Dunlop
DL — Eric Banks and Jarrod Carter-McLin
LB — Andrew Martel
S — Carl Austin III
CB — Clayton Johnson
ST — Hunter Duplessis
TV birds
All 12 of UTSA's regular season games this fall have been selected for broadcast. The Roadrunners, who have seen their last 83 outings appear over the airwaves, will make it 84 straight televised/streamed appearances by the end of the regular season.
Few can call a dome home
The Roadrunners are one of only two FBS teams to play their home games indoors. UTSA, which owns a 26-27 all-time mark inside the Alamodome, joins Syracuse (Carrier Dome) as the only FBS programs to play in enclosed facilities.
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