Setting the scene
No. 22/22/25 UTSA will face No. 23/24/24 Troy in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl on Friday, Dec. 16, in Orlando, Florida. The first meeting between the two teams will feature a pair of conference champions on 10-game winning streaks and boasting 11-2 records this season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Central time at Exploria Stadium and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Coming off their second straight league crown following a 48-27 victory over North Texas in the Conference USA Championship Game on Dec. 2, the Roadrunners are making their third consecutive and fourth overall bowl game appearance.
2022 Duluth Trading Cure Bowl
#22/#22/#25 UTSA Roadrunners (11-2)
vs.
#23/#24/#24 Troy Trojans (11-2)
2 p.m. CT | Friday, Dec. 16
Exploria Stadium | Orlando, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Radio: Ticket 760 AM / Bowl Season Radio
Series History: First meeting
Opening drive
• UTSA will make its third consecutive and fourth overall bowl game appearance on Friday.
• The Roadrunners are seeking their first bowl win and victory versus a ranked opponent.
• UTSA and Troy will meet for the first time on Friday.
• The Roadrunners are ranked in all three major polls, coming in at No. 22 in the Associated Press Top 25, No. 23 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and 25th in the College Football Playoff rankings.
• UTSA's current 10-game winning streak is tied with this week's opponent, Troy, for the third-longest active FBS streak and it is the second-longest run in program history behind the 11-0 start to the 2021 season.
• The Roadrunners captured their second straight Conference USA crown on Dec. 2 after defeating North Texas 48-27.
• UTSA is 30-9 under third-year head coach Jeff Traylor, giving him the most wins and best record for a head coach through 39 games in program history.
• The Roadrunners have won 26 of their last 31 contests dating back to November 2020.
• UTSA is 6-1 all-time on Friday.
Tuning in
Friday's game will be televised nationally on ESPN and will be available on Watch ESPN and the ESPN app. Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (reporter) have the call. The contest will air live on Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (reporter) will call the action. The pregame show will begin at 12 p.m. CT and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. Bowl Season Radio will provide live national radio coverage of the game on terrestrial radio stations throughout the country, as well as SiriusXM. In addition, the game will stream live on Tune-In, Audacy and The Varsity Network apps. Jamie Seh (play-by-play), Landry Burdine (analyst) and Despina Barton (reporter) will handle the call.
Going bowling
The No. 22-ranked Roadrunners will make their third straight and fourth overall bowl appearance when they face No. 23 Troy on Friday. Dec. 16, in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl. UTSA equaled an NCAA modern startup program record by playing in a bowl game in just its sixth season, dropping a 23-20 decision to New Mexico in the 2016 New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque. Last December, UTSA dropped a 38-24 decision at the hands of No. 24 San Diego State in the Frisco Bowl, one year after nearly rallying before falling to No. 16 Louisiana by a 31-24 count in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. UTSA originally was selected to play SMU in the Frisco Bowl in 2020, but COVID-19 protocols within the Mustangs' program forced the game to be canceled and the Roadrunners slid into the First Responder Bowl. This will mark the second time UTSA will face a team from the Sun Belt Conference in a bowl game.
UTSA's Bowl History
Date Bowl Opponent Result
12/17/16 New Mexico Bowl New Mexico L, 20-23
12/26/20 First Responder Bowl Louisiana L, 24-31
12/21/21 Frisco Bowl #24 San Diego State L, 24-38
On a streak
UTSA won its 10th straight game with the 48-27 victory over North Texas in the Conference USA Championship Game on Dec. 2. UTSA's current 10-game run is tied with this week's opponent — Troy — for the third-longest active streak in the FBS, trailing only Georgia (15) and Michigan (13). It also stands as the second-longest winning streak in program history behind the 11-0 start to the 2021 campaign.
Nationally ranked Roadrunners
For the first time since last November, UTSA is ranked in all three major polls, appearing at No. 22 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, as well as 25th in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Roadrunners moved up one spot from last week in the AP Top 25 and two places in the coaches poll and they made their first appearance in the CFP rankings since last fall. In 2021, UTSA rose to as high as 15th for three weeks in a row in the AP Top 25 last November and No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll on Nov. 7. UTSA was ranked in both polls for six consecutive weeks and also made an appearance in the CFP rankings for three weeks in a row, debuting at No. 23 on Nov. 9 before moving up to 22nd for two straight weeks last fall. On Sept. 20, 2020, UTSA received two votes in the AP poll, a first for the program.
Friday night lights
UTSA's Duluth Trading Cure Bowl matchup against Troy will mark the fourth Friday broadcast of the season for the Roadrunners, who beat Middle Tennessee 45-30 on Sept. 30 in Murfreesboro, scored a 30-10 road victory over FIU on Oct. 14 and ran past North Texas 48-27 in the C-USA Championship Game on Dec. 2 to improve to 6-1 all-time on Fridays. In 2014, the Roadrunners opened the year with a 27-7 victory over Houston in a Friday night broadcast on ESPNU. UTSA also played a pair of Thursday night contests that fall, including a 26-23 setback to Arizona and a 12-10 win against Southern Miss. UTSA played its 2015 season lid-lifter on a Thursday at Arizona, and then dropped a 32-28 decision to Arizona State the following season in a Friday night showdown on ESPN2 at the Alamodome, the only Friday setback in program annals. The Roadrunners beat Middle Tennessee 37-35 on Sept. 25, 2020, and outlasted Western Kentucky 49-41 on Dec. 3, 2021, to capture the program's first-ever Conference USA title. The Roadrunners played their first-ever Tuesday game in a 38-24 setback to No. 24 San Diego State in the 2021 Frisco Bowl. In 2012, UTSA was scheduled to open the year on a Thursday versus South Alabama, but that game was postponed to Saturday, Sept. 1, due to Hurricane Isaac. UTSA is 7-4 in games played on weekdays.
UTSA's Non-Saturday Games (7-4)
Day Date Opponent Result
Friday 8/29/14 at Houston W, 27-7
Thursday 9/4/14 Arizona L, 23-26
Thursday 11/13/14 Southern Miss W, 12-10
Thursday 9/3/15 at Arizona L, 32-42
Friday 9/16/16 Arizona State L, 28-32
Friday 9/25/20 Middle Tennessee W, 37-35
Friday 12/3/21 Western Kentucky W, 49-41
Tuesday 12/21/21 vs. #24 San Diego State L, 24-38
Friday 9/30/22 at Middle Tennessee W, 45-30
Friday 10/14/22 at FIU W, 30-10
Friday 12/2/22 North Texas W, 48-27
On Eastern time
The Roadrunners will play a game in the Eastern time zone for the 12th time in program history when they face Troy on Friday in Orlando. UTSA is 2-0 this season and 5-6 all-time in games played in the Eastern time zone with wins against Georgia State in 2012 in Atlanta, at Charlotte in 2015 and Old Dominion in 2019 in Norfolk, Virginia, as well as road triumphs over Army West Point on Sept. 10 and FIU on Oct. 14 this year.
UTSA in the Eastern Time Zone (5-6)
Date Result Location
9/15/12 UTSA 38, Georgia State 14 Atlanta, Ga.
10/5/13 Marshall 34, UTSA 10 Huntington, W.Va.
9/27/14 Florida Atlantic 41, UTSA 37 Boca Raton, Fla.
11/14/15 UTSA 30, Charlotte 27 (OT) Charlotte, N.C.
9/24/16 Old Dominion 33, UTSA 19 Norfolk, Va.
11/4/17 FIU 14, UTSA 7 Miami, Fla.
11/17/18 Marshall 23, UTSA 0 Huntington, W.Va.
11/9/19 UTSA 24, Old Dominion 23 Norfolk, Va.
10/31/20 Florida Atlantic 24, UTSA 3 Boca Raton, Fla.
9/10/22 UTSA 41, Army 38 West Point, N.Y.
10/14/22 UTSA 30, FIU 10 Miami, Fla.
Roadrunners from the Sunshine State
Three Roadrunners hail from the state of Florida. Tye Edwards is a native of Palatka and a product of Menendez High School. Lamonte McDougle is from Pompano Beach and attended Deerfield Beach High School, while Travon Sylvester is out of St. Johns and Bartram Trail High School in the Jacksonville area.
Scouting Troy
The Trojans are riding a 10-game winning streak and are coming off a 45-26 victory over Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference Championship Game on Dec. 3 to improve to 11-2. Troy is ranked No. 23 in the AP Top 25 and 24th in both the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll and the College Football Playoff rankings. The Trojans are averaging 26.2 points and 375.2 yards per game while allowing 17.5 points (8th/FBS) and 325.3 yards per contest. Gunnar Watson has completed 193 of 312 passes for 2,705 yards and 13 touchdowns. Kimani Vidal leads the ground attack with 1,059 yards and nine TDs on 209 carries, while Tez Johnson is the top receiver with 52 catches for 823 yards and four scores. Carlton Martial paces the defense with 121 tackles, while T.J. Jackson has 14.5 tackles for loss including eight sacks and Richard Jibunor owns 10.5 TFLs and seven sacks. Reddy Steward has a team-high three interceptions. Head coach Jon Sumrall is in his first season at the helm.
Series history
Friday will mark the first meeting between UTSA and Troy. This will mark the second time in the last three bowl games that the Roadrunners have faced a team from the Sun Belt Conference, as they dropped a 31-24 decision to No. 16 Louisiana in the 2020 First Responder Bowl. UTSA is 4-1 all-time in games played against Sun Belt teams, defeating South Alabama 33-31 in 2012 and Texas State in 2017 (44-14), 2018 (25-21) and 2020 (51-48/2OT). The Roadrunners also beat current Sun Belt member Georgia State in 2011 and 2012 before the Panthers joined that league, and they scored a 38-31 triumph over Texas State in 2012 when both teams were in the Western Athletic Conference. UTSA also is 1-2 against Marshall and Old Dominion and 4-4 versus Southern Miss, three teams that joined the Sun Belt this season.
Who's counting?
Now in their 12th season of play, the Roadrunners will play the 146th game in program history on Friday when they face Troy in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl. UTSA is 75-70 all-time and 0-2 in neutral-site games. By comparison, Troy has been playing football since 1909 and owns an all-time record of 564-427-28.
Roadrunners versus ranked opponents
UTSA has faced nine nationally ranked FBS opponents in its 12-year history entering Friday's Duluth Trading Cure Bowl clash with No. 23 Troy. The Roadrunners have faced a pair of top-25 foes this season, dropping a 37-35 heartbreaker to No. 24 Houston in triple overtime in the season opener and falling 40-21 at No. 20 Texas on Sept. 17. Friday's matchup will mark UTSA's third consecutive bowl game versus a ranked opponent, as they faced No. 24 San Diego State in the 2021 Frisco Bowl and No. 16 Louisiana in the 2020 First Responder Bowl. The highest-ranked foe UTSA has played was No. 13 Oklahoma State in 2013.
UTSA vs. Ranked Opponents
Date Opponent Result
10/1/11 at #16* Sam Houston State L, 7-22
11/3/12 at #22 Louisiana Tech L, 27-51
9/7/13 #13 Oklahoma State L, 35-56
9/3/15 at #22 Arizona L, 32-42
9/19/15 at #25 Oklahoma State L, 14-69
11/19/16 at #22 Texas A&M L, 10-23
10/10/20 at #15 BYU L, 20-27
12/26/20 vs. #16 Louisiana L, 24-31
9/3/22 #24 Houston L, 35-37 (3OT)
9/17/22 at #20 Texas L, 21-40
*FCS poll
Roadrunners secure second straight C-USA crown
Frank Harris passed for 341 yards and four touchdowns and Clifford Chattman had an interception for a school-record fourth consecutive game, as UTSA repeated as conference champions with a 48-27 victory in the C-USA Championship Game on Dec. 2 in front of 41,421 fans at the Alamodome. With their 10th straight win, the Roadrunners ran their record to 11-2 on the season and successfully defended the program's first-ever conference title won last year. Harris completed 32 of 37 passes, good for a C-USA Championship Game-record .865 completion percentage, nearly breaking his own program record in the process. The senior tossed three of his touchdowns to Zakhari Franklin, who had 10 receptions for 144 yards while matching the school record for TD receptions in a game. Harris also rushed for 49 yards and a score to give him 390 yards of offense and five total scores. Meanwhile, Kevorian Barnes exploded for a career-high 175 rushing yards and a TD on 28 carries to pace a ground game that piled up 227 yards. The redshirt freshman from San Augustine averaged 6.2 yards per tote in logging his fourth 100-yard game of the year. Chattman shared the team lead in tackles with nine and added a pass breakup to go along with his fourth interception of the season, all coming in the last four games. Trevor Harmanson matched Chattman with nine stops, and Corey Mayfield Jr. registered six tackles and a PBU to tie the program record for passes defended in a season with 17, while also setting the program record for career games played with his 60th.
Traylor successful in league play
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor has experienced immediate success in league games during his time in San Antonio. The two-time reigning Conference USA Coach of the Year has guided the Roadrunners to 21 wins in 24 regular season conference games during his tenure. The Roadrunners rallied for a 34-31 victory against UTEP on Nov. 26 to wrap up the first undefeated conference record in school history at 8-0 and then ran past North Texas 48-27 in the C-USA Championship Game to capture their second straight league crown. Last season, Traylor led UTSA to a 7-1 league mark and the program's first-ever conference title with a 49-41 victory over Western Kentucky in the C-USA Championship Game. The Roadrunners registered a 5-2 record in league play in Traylor's first season at the helm in 2020.
Down to the wire
UTSA is no stranger to close contests in the Jeff Traylor era, as 24 of the 39 have been one-score ballgames in the fourth quarter. The Roadrunners own an 18-6 record in those games including a 6-1 mark this year following the 34-31 comeback victory against UTEP on Nov. 26. Dating back to last season, UTSA has seen 11 of the last 18 contests decided in the fourth quarter or later. Further, the Roadrunners are 11-1 in games decided by eight points or less since 2021, good for the most wins and second-best winning percentage (.917) among FBS teams who have played at least eight one-score contests. The first two games this season went to overtime, with the Roadrunners dropping a 37-35 decision to No. 24 Houston in three overtimes on Sept. 3 before rallying to beat Army 41-38 in overtime one week later. UTSA saw Middle Tennessee draw to within 38-30 in the fourth quarter on Sept. 30 before a late touchdown run by Brenden Brady provided the final 15-point margin. The Roadrunners pulled out a 31-28 win against WKU on Oct. 8, a 31-27 victory over North Texas two weeks later and a 44-38 double-overtime decision at UAB on Nov. 5. Last November, the Roadrunners broke a 17-17 fourth-quarter deadlock against Southern Miss with two late scores in a 10-point victory before upending UAB 34-31 one week later on a TD pass with three seconds left to play. UTSA used an interception on the final play of the game to secure a 49-41 C-USA Championship Game win over WKU on Dec. 3 and then pulled to within seven points of No. 24 San Diego State in the fourth quarter of the Frisco Bowl before dropping a 38-24 decision in the 2021 finale. The Roadrunners also saw games against Illinois (37-30), Memphis (31-28), UNLV (24-17) and WKU (52-46) come down to the final minutes last fall. In 2020, UTSA's matchups against Texas State (51-48/2OT), Stephen F. Austin (24-10), Middle Tennessee (37-35), UAB (13-21), No. 15 BYU (20-27), Army (16-28), Louisiana Tech (27-26), Southern Miss (23-20) and No. 16 Louisiana (24-31) all were one-score games in the final stanza.
Overcoming deficits
The Roadrunners pulled off the largest comeback victory in program history when they rallied from a 24-point deficit for a 34-31 win over UTEP on Nov. 26 at the Alamodome. UTSA trailed 24-0 after the Miners scored a touchdown with 7:03 left in second quarter, and they were behind by a 31-14 count with 11:56 left in the third before rallying for the three-point win on Jared Sackett's field goal with three seconds remaining. Prior to that, UTSA's largest come-from-behind win came on Sept. 25, 2021, when the Roadrunners rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 31-28 road triumph on Hunter Duplessis' 42-yard field goal as time expired. Earlier this season, UTSA found itself down to Army 28-14 with 6:49 left in the third quarter before rallying for a 41-38 overtime win on Sept. 10.
Largest Deficits Overcome In Win
Deficit Final Opponent Date
24 (0-24) 34-31 vs. UTEP 11/26/22
21 (0-21) 31-28 at Memphis 9/25/21
14 (14-28) 41-38 (OT) at Army 9/10/22
14 (0-14) 17-14 (OT) vs. Georgia State 10/29/11
13 (6-19) 27-26 vs. Louisiana Tech 10/24/20
13 (10-23) 24-23 at Old Dominion 11/9/19
13 (0-13) 21-13 at New Mexico 8/31/13
10 (0-10) 34-24 vs. Rice 11/21/15
10 (0-10) 16-13 vs. FIU 10/11/14
Working overtime
The Roadrunners have been working overtime in 2022, with a program-record three contests needing extra periods to determine the outcome. UTSA played the first back-to-back overtime games in program history to open the campaign. The Roadrunners dropped a 37-35 decision to No. 24 Houston in triple overtime in the opener. One week later, UTSA rallied from a 14-point, second-half deficit to score a 41-38 road triumph over Army West Point in one extra period. On Nov. 5 in Birmingham, the Roadrunners outlasted UAB 44-38 in double overtime to improve to 2-1 this season and 5-3 overall in overtime games. UTSA has played overtime, double-overtime and triple-overtime games this season and joins Houston and Texas Tech as the only FBS teams to have played three overtime contests this year.
UTSA's All-Time Overtime Games (5-3)
Date Opponent Result
10/8/11 South Alabama L, 27-30 (2OT)
10/29/11 Georgia State W, 17-14 (OT)
11/14/15 at Charlotte W, 30-27 (OT)
10/22/16 UTEP L, 49-52 (5OT)
9/12/20 at Texas State W, 51-48 (2OT)
9/3/22 Houston L, 35-37 (3OT)
9/10/22 at Army West Point W, 41-38 (OT)
11/5/22 at UAB W, 44-38 (2OT)
Roadrunners reel in school-record 30 conference accolades
Conference USA announced its postseason awards last week and UTSA earned a program-record 30 combined accolades and collected three superlative honors in Most Valuable Player Frank Harris, Freshman of the Year Kevorian Barnes and Coach of the Year Jeff Traylor. The Roadrunners reeled in 27 all-conference honors, including a league-best six first-team selections. UTSA placed five on the second team to tally a conference-high 11 combined honorees on the first two teams. Sixteen received honorable mention and a trio of Roadrunners landed on the C-USA All-Freshman Team to bring the tally to a school-record 30 certificates.
2022 Conference USA Postseason Awards
MVP: Frank Harris
Freshman of the Year: Kevorian Barnes
Coach of the Year: Jeff Traylor
First Team
QB: Frank Harris
WR: Zakhari Franklin
OL: Ahofitu Maka
DT: Brandon Brown
DB: Clifford Chattman
DB: Corey Mayfield Jr.
Second Team
WR: De'Corian Clark
WR: Joshua Cephus
LB: Jamal Ligon
K: Jared Sackett
P: Lucas Dean
Honorable Mention:
RB: Brenden Brady
RB: Kevorian Barnes
TE: Oscar Cardenas
OL: Ernesto Almaraz
OL: Kevin Davis
OL: Walker Baty
OL: Terrell Haynes
DE: Nick Booker-Brown
DT: Joe Evans
LB: Trey Moore
LB: Trevor Harmanson
DB: Nicktroy Fortune
DB: Dadrian Taylor
LS: Caleb Cantrell
KR: Chris Carpenter
PR: Joshua Cephus
All-Freshman Team
RB: Kevorian Barnes
DE: Trey Moore
DT: Tai Leonard
Maka named Campbell Trophy finalist
UTSA senior Ahofitu Maka became the third Roadrunner to be named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. He was one of 15 finalists and will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The center from Honolulu, Hawai'i, joins Eric Soza (2013) and Nate Leonard (2014) as the only UTSA student-athletes to be named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in the 12-year history of the program.
Harris chose as Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award finalist
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris was chosen on Tuesday as one of four finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. The senior from Schertz Clemens High School has thrown for school records of 3,865 yards and 31 touchdowns on 305-of-429 passing (.711), and the Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist has added 588 yards and nine scores on the ground, the most by a UTSA QB. The winner will be unveiled at an awards banquet on Jan. 11, 2023, in Tyler, Texas.
Roadrunners collect weekly accolades
The Roadrunners collected several weekly honors this season, including nine Conference USA Player of the Week awards. Jared Sackett was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week five times, the most by a Roadrunner and tied with TCU's Nick Browne (2003) for most by a league player in a single season. Frank Harris won the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week certificate four times and he picked up several national honors following his performance in the 41-38 comeback win over Army in overtime on Sept. 10, as he was named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week and landed on the Davey O'Brien Great 8 and the Manning Award Stars of the Week lists. He also made the Manning Award "Stars of the Week" list following his record-setting performance in the 45-30 road triumph over Middle Tennessee. De'Corian Clark was tabbed the East-West Shrine Bowl Breakout Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 26 after piling up a school-record 217 yards and three touchdowns on nine receptions in the 52-24 win over Texas Southern. Lucas Dean was named to the Ray Guy Award Ray's 8 list after averaging 60.5 yards on four punts, which included a school-record 76-yarder and a 67-yard kick, versus Texas Southern.
UTSA's C-USA Player of the Week Honorees
Offense
9/5 — Frank Harris
9/12 — Frank Harris
10/3 — Frank Harris
10/24 — Frank Harris
Special Teams
9/5 — Jared Sackett
10/10 — Jared Sackett
11/7 — Jared Sackett
11/21 — Jared Sackett
11/28 — Jared Sackett
Traylor off to resounding start at UTSA
Head coach Jeff Traylor is off to a resounding start to his tenure at UTSA. The Gilmer, Texas, native has turned around the program by instilling his 210 Triangle of Toughness culture, producing results on and off the field. Taking over a team that won a combined seven games in the two seasons prior to his arrival, he has led the Roadrunners to a 30-9 record, the most wins all-time and best record through 39 games by a UTSA head football coach. The two-time reigning C-USA Coach of the Year and a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive season and for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Coach of the Year, Traylor has led UTSA to an 11-2 overall record, an appearance in all three major polls, its second straight C-USA crown and its third straight bowl game. He already has mentored five All-Americans and a pair of NFL Draft picks during his time in San Antonio. In his first season, Traylor guided the Roadrunners to a 7-5 overall record, a runner-up finish in Conference USA's West Division with a 5-2 mark and an appearance in the First Responder Bowl. The Roadrunners received votes in a national poll for the first time in program history and the seven wins marked the most by a first-year UTSA head coach. The Roadrunners enjoyed a record-setting campaign in his second season. The Roadrunners won their first 11 games, were nationally ranked (as high as No. 15) for the first time in school history and captured the program's first league title by winning the 2021 C-USA Championship with a 49-41 victory over WKU. UTSA capped the season with its second straight and third overall bowl appearance. Traylor was honored for his success as the 2021 C-USA Coach of the Year, AFCA FBS Regional Coach of the Year for Region 4 and 2021 San Antonio Express-News Sportsman of the Year, as well as being a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, AFCA National Coach of the Year and George Munger College Coach of the Year Award.
Season 12
UTSA is playing its 12th season of football in 2022. The Roadrunners started their program from scratch and, following a practice year in 2010, played their first season as an FCS Independent in 2011 before joining the Western Athletic Conference for the 2012 campaign. UTSA moved into its current league home — Conference USA — in 2013 and became a full-fledged FBS member starting with the 2014 season. The Roadrunners set NCAA modern startup program records in 2011 by drawing 56,743 fans to their inaugural game against Northeastern State and by averaging 35,521 fans for their six home contests that season. UTSA made its first postseason appearance at the 2016 New Mexico Bowl in its sixth season of play and registered its first win against a team from a Power 5 conference the following season with a 17-10 victory over Baylor. The Roadrunners captured their first conference championship by claiming the 2021 C-USA crown and capped a 12-2 campaign with their third bowl game. They repeated as league champions with a 48-27 win over North Texas on Dec. 2 and will make their fourth overall bowl appearance. UTSA has posted at least six wins in seven of the 12 seasons in program history and it has reached the seven-win plateau five times, including in each of the first three years of the Jeff Traylor era. The Roadrunners now have reached double-digit wins in back-to-back seasons, joining Baylor and TCU as the only Texas-based FBS teams since 2012 to notch at least 10 wins in consecutive years.
Points-a-plenty
UTSA has emerged as one of the top scoring offenses in the nation. The Roadrunners are averaging a league-leading 38.7 points per game, good for 12th in the FBS. UTSA has posted 30-plus points in 12 of the 13 contests this season, and they have topped the 40-point barrier seven times and the 50-point plateau twice. The Roadrunners set school records for scoring last season, tallying 516 total points in 14 contests for a program-record 36.9 points per game, and they are right on the heels of that standard with 503 through 13 games this fall. UTSA has scored 20-plus points in 31 consecutive games dating back to the 2020 campaign. The Roadrunners have scored a total of 1,358 points in 39 games under third-year head coach Jeff Traylor, good for an average of 34.8 per game.
Aerial attack
UTSA boasts one of the top offenses in the country, featuring one of the most prolific aerial attacks in the FBS this season. The Roadrunners are averaging 308.6 passing yards per contest, good for second in Conference USA and 12th nationally. UTSA has passed for 4,012 yards in 2022, shattering the previous program standard of 3,577 set last year.
Additionally, the Roadrunners rank ninth nationally in total offense with 486.1 yards per game and they pace the FBS in total first downs with 342. UTSA eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark for passing in just six games, two quicker than the previous school standard set in 2013 and matched a year ago. The Roadrunners surpassed 3,000 passing yards in the 10th game, also a program record, and they have registered five of the top 10 single-game passing performances in program history so far this season.
UTSA's Top 10 Team Single-Game Passing Yardage
Yards Opponent Date
441 Texas Southern 9/24/22
423 Middle Tennessee 9/30/22
414 Charlotte 11/26/16
382 UTEP 11/26/22
372 Western Kentucky 10/9/21
369 Oklahoma State 9/7/13
367 Southern Miss 10/7/17
365 Houston 9/28/13
359 Army West Point 9/10/22
344 North Texas 12/2/22
Ground game gets going
UTSA's ground game has found its footing over the last half of the season, topping 200 rushing yards in six of the last eight contests. UTSA also boasts a 100-yard rusher in six of the last seven contests. The Roadrunners churned out 213 yards on the ground in the 31-28 win over Western Kentucky on Oct. 8 before Kevorian Barnes enjoyed his breakout game with 128 and two touchdowns on 20 carries in the road triumph over FIU the following week. Brenden Brady gashed North Texas for 112 yards and a pair of scores on 19 totes, as UTSA piled up 257 rushing yards on Oct. 22. Barnes then logged back-to-back outings over the century mark with 114 in the double-overtime victory at UAB and 103 in the 51-7 rout of Louisiana Tech, helping the Roadrunners tally 209 and 258 rushing yards, respectively. Frank Harris broke his own school record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 124 and three scores to spearhead a season-high 262 yards on the ground in the 41-7 win at Rice on Nov. 19. Barnes exploded for a season-high 175 yards and two TDs on 28 attempts in the 48-27 triumph over North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game to help UTSA pile up 227 rushing yards. UTSA is averaging 177.5 rushing yards per game this season and 204.0 over the last eight contests.
Leader under center
UTSA senior quarterback Frank Harris has overcome multiple season-ending injuries sustained earlier in his career to emerge as one of the top signal callers in the country. The Schertz Clemens High School product, who owns a 31-10 record as the starting QB and more than 30 school records, has thrown for 9,158 yards and 75 touchdowns on 793-of-1,1169 passing (.678) — all program records — and rushed for 1,808 yards and 24 TDs, the most in a career by a UTSA quarterback. In fact, Harris is one of only six active FBS quarterbacks with 9,000 or more passing yards and 1,800-plus rushing yards, and he has piled up those numbers in the fewest number of games (43) among that group. This season, Harris has completed 305 of 429 passes (.711) for 3,865 yards and 31 TDs — all school records — and he has added 588 yards — the most by a UTSA QB — and nine scores on the ground en route to being named Conference USA MVP and first-team all-conference. A semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards for the second straight year, he was voted C-USA Offensive Player of the Week four times this fall. He owns the top three and seven of the top 10 individual passing performances in program annals including his school-record 414-yard output in the win at Middle Tennessee. Harris currently ranks fourth in the nation in total offense with 342.5 yards per game and he recently topped the 10,000-yard barrier for his career, as he now has 10,966. He also stands third nationally in completion percentage (.711), sixth in passing yards (3,865) and points responsible for (244), seventh in passing efficiency (167.4), ninth in passing TDs (31) and 18th in completions per game (23.46).
Frank Harris School-Record Tracker (34)
Game (9)
Passing Yards 414 at Middle Tennessee (9/30/22)
Passing TDs 6 at WKU (10/9/21)
Completions 32 at Army (9/10/22); vs. North Texas (12/2/22)
Completion Percentage .866 (13-15) vs. Lamar (9/11/21)
Yards Per Completion 23.9 vs. UTEP (11/26/22)
Rushing TDs 3 at Texas State (9/12/20); at Rice (11/19/22)
Rushing Yards by a QB 124 at Rice (11/19/22)
Longest Rush by a QB 71 vs. North Texas (11/28/20)
Total Offense 445 vs. Middle Tennessee (9/30/22)
Season (12)
Passing Yards 3,865 (2022)
Passing Yards Per Game 297.3 (2022)
Passing TDs 31 (2021, 2022)
Completions 305 (2022)
Attempts 429 (2022)
Completion Percentage .711 (2022)
Passing Efficiency 167.4 (2022)
300-Yard Passing Games 7 (2022)
Rushing Yards by a QB 588 (2022)
Rushing TDs by a QB 9 (2020, 2022)
TDs Responsible For 40 (2022)
Total Offense 4,453 (2022)
Career (13)
Passing Yards 9,158
Passing TDs 73
Completions 793
Attempts 1,169
Consecutive Completions 13
Completion Percentage .678
Passing Efficiency 150.7
300-Yard Passing Games 10
Consecutive Games with TD Pass 10
Rushing Yards by a QB 1,808
Rushing TDs by a QB 24
TDs Responsible For 97
Total Offense 10,966
Keeping the streak alive
The UTSA receiving duo of Zakhari Franklin and Joshua Cephus are among the nation's best when it comes to consecutive games with a reception. Franklin has caught a pass in all 45 career contests in which he has been available dating back to 2019, marking the longest active streak in the FBS one ahead of Arizona's Jacob Cowing. Cephus has at least one catch in 39 consecutive games dating back to the 2020 season opener, putting his streak fifth nationally.
Franklin rewriting record book
UTSA senior Zakhari Franklin has rewritten UTSA's record book for receivers, as he currently owns career standards with 254 receptions, 3,312 receiving yards, 36 receiving touchdowns, receiving yards per game (73.6) and consecutive games with a catch (45), as well as receptions in a game (12). The Cedar Hill High School product has caught 86 passes for UTSA records of 1,100 yards and 14 TDs this year, garnering first-team All-Conference USA honors for the second straight season. He has matched his own single-season mark with four 100-yard outings this fall, including seven receptions for 126 yards in the 34-31 comeback win over UTEP and 10 catches for 144 yards and a school record-tying three scores in the 48-27 victory against North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game, pushing his UTSA career standard to 13. In fact, he owns eight of the top 15 single-game receiving yardage totals in program annals. Franklin ranks third nationally in receiving TDs and 12th in receiving yards and receptions per game (6.6) in 2022. A member of the Biletnikoff Award and Reese's Senior Bowl watch lists, he leads all active FBS players in career receptions and receiving touchdowns and he ranks third in receiving yards, fifth in receptions (5.55) and receiving yards (73.6) per game.
Sure-handed Cephus
Joshua Cephus has built a reputation as a wide receiver who does not drop anything thrown his way. The senior from Houston and Biletnikoff Award watch list member, has been tagged with only eight drops in 312 targets during his career for a drop rate of 3.5% according to Pro Football Focus. He currently owns UTSA's single-season receptions record with 87 this year, and he has turned those into 985 yards and six touchdowns en route to earning second-team All-Conference USA honors. He has logged three 100-yard receiving performances this fall with 114 yards on five catches in the 52-24 win over Texas Southern, 112 yards on 10 receptions in the 41-38 overtime victory at Army and 106 yards on seven receptions against No. 24 Houston. Cephus also has hauled in 11 passes twice, in both wins against North Texas. The Dekaney High product now has 224 catches for 2,488 yards — seventh and 15th, respectively, among active FBS players — and 18 touchdowns during his career, marks that rank in the top two on the program's all-time chart.
Barnes bursts onto scene
UTSA redshirt freshman Kevorian Barnes has burst onto the scene during the second half of the season, emerging as one of the top running backs in the league. The San Augustine, Texas, native had just six rushes for 20 yards through the first five contests this fall before his breakout game in the 30-10 victory at FIU on Oct. 14, when he piled up 128 yards and two touchdowns on 20 rushes. He followed that with 54 yards on 10 carries in the Oct. 22 victory against North Texas and then peeled off back-to-back 100-yard outputs with 114 yards and a score on 16 attempts in the double-overtime win at UAB and 103 yards and a pair of TDs on only 11 totes in the 51-7 home triumph over Louisiana Tech. In his last outing, Barnes exploded for 175 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries in the 48-27 victory against North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game. The 2022 C-USA Freshman of the Year and an honorable mention all-league selection, he has totaled 713 yards and six scores on 114 rushes to go with eight catches for 107 yards this season.
Cardenas a dual threat at tight end
UTSA junior Oscar Cardenas has developed into a punishing blocker and reliable pass-catcher at the tight end position. The San Antonio Brandeis High graduate and John Mackey Award preseason watch list is enjoying a career season with 26 catches for 376 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing last year's production of 16 receptions and 233 yards. Known for coming through in the clutch, he caught two balls in the opener against No. 24 Houston including a key 25-yard reception that set up the game-tying field goal as time expired. The honorable mention all-conference selection made a one-handed grab and then hurdled a defender for a 35-yard reception on the final drive of the 31-27 victory over North Texas on Oct. 22 to set up the game-winning touchdown pass on the following play. He piled up a career-high 86 yards on four catches, including a 54-yard catch-and-run on the opening drive of the 44-38 double-overtime win at UAB. Cardenas set a career high with six catches for 84 yards and a TD in the 48-27 win against North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game to give him 45 receptions for 655 yards and four touchdowns in 43 games as a Roadrunner. He played a role in one of the iconic moments in UTSA's history, hauling in the game-winning TD reception after a tipped pass with three seconds left in the 34-31 victory over UAB in 2021. He also had a 28-yard catch on that game-winning drive versus the Blazers to help the Roadrunners clinch the C-USA West Division title.
Experience up front
UTSA boasts one of the most experienced offensive lines in the FBS this fall. The quartet of Kevin Davis (54 starts), Ahofitu Maka (50), Terrell Haynes (30) and Makai Hart (22) — who suffered a season-ending injury earlier this fall — have combined for 156 career starts, which ranks in the top five among FBS schools. That foursome has combined to play in 176 games. With four starters returning entering the 2022 campaign was tied with several other schools behind nine squads that returned all five starters this season.
Maka makes it happen on and off the field
Ahofitu Maka is in his fourth season as UTSA's starting center, leading the way on a veteran offensive line. A first-team all-conference performer this year after back-to-back second-team selections, the Honolulu, Hawai'i, native has started 50 career games — 49 at center — as a Roadrunner after transferring from Independence Community College prior to the 2019 campaign. Dating back to the start of the 2020 season, the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy preseason watch list member has allowed only two sacks in more than 1,400 pass-blocking snaps according to Pro Football Focus, helping pave the way for a record-setting offense. A member of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch list who received an invitation to play in the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Maka has not surrendered a sack or hit on the quarterback in 553 pass-blocking snaps, owns a 98.2% pass-blocking efficiency and has only committed four penalties in 961 plays this season. In 2020 broke single-season program records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). Maka surrendered just one sack and three hits on the quarterback in 430 pass-blocking snaps that season. Last fall, Maka started all 14 contests, allowing just one sack and three hits on the quarterback in 471 pass-blocking snaps to help UTSA set school records for total yards (6,146), total yards per game (439.0), passing yards (3,577), passing yards per game (255.5), points scored (516) and points per game (36.9). Also an excellent student, Maka is a three-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, a three-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member, a two-time C-USA All-Academic Team pick and a C-USA Academic Medal recipient. On Oct. 26, he became the third Roadrunner to be named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.
Fourth-down stops
UTSA has found success in stopping opponents on fourth down during the current 10-game winning. The defense has gotten off the field on 19 of the past 30 fourth-down attempts combined during that stretch, including in several key moments. The Roadrunners came up with a pair of fourth-down stops in the 44-38 road win at UAB on Nov. 5. Brandon Brown stuffed the league's leading rusher, DeWayne McBride, on a fourth-and-two attempt deep in UTSA territory in the fourth quarter and Corey Mayfield Jr. broke up a pass near the goal line on the final play of the second overtime to secure the program's first victory in Birmingham. The Roadrunners found success on all four fourth-down attempts by Louisiana Tech on Nov. 12 and three of five tries by Rice the following week. In the 30-10 road triumph over FIU, the Roadrunners stopped the Panthers three out of four times on fourth down. They got off the field on fourth down twice in the third quarter by forcing an incomplete pass on fourth-and-goal and again with a stop for no gain by Nick Booker-Brown and Pig Cage on fourth-and-11 near midfield. In the 31-28 victory against WKU stopped the Hilltoppers three times — all in the second half — on four fourth down-conversion attempts. They forced an incomplete pass on a fourth-and-15 try midway through the third quarter before Booker-Brown batted down a pass on a fourth-and-14 situation later in the stanza. With less than four minutes remaining in the game, Rashad Wisdom broke up a long pass attempt on a fourth-and-seven to give the ball back to UTSA for good. In the 45-30 road triumph over Middle Tennessee, the Roadrunners stopped the Blue Raiders on a pair of fourth-down tries in the fourth quarter. For the season, the Roadrunners rank 31st in the FBS in fourth-down conversion percentage defense (.429).
Turning the tide
After a slow start to the season when it comes to forcing turnovers, the Roadrunners have turned around their fortunes over the last half of the season. Corey Mayfield Jr. came up with an interception in three consecutive games to lead the way in wins against FIU, North Texas and UAB. UTSA then exploded with a season-high five takeaways in the 51-7 rout of Louisiana Tech on Nov. 12. Clifford Chattman, Dywan Griffin and Malik Jones had interceptions, while Jamal Ligon and Trey Moore recovered fumbles. In the 41-7 road triumph over Rice, Chattman had his second pick in as many weeks and the Taylor brothers — Dadrian and Donyai — came up with fumble recoveries to give UTSA three takeaways on the day. The Roadrunners came up with a pair of takeaways in the win against UTEP, as Chattman matched the then-school-standard with an interception for the third game in a row, while Dadrian Taylor returned one 73 yards for a touchdown, his school-record third career pick-six. Chattman came up with an interception for a UTSA-record fourth game in a row and Ken Robinson also had an INT in the 48-27 victory against North Texas in the C-USA Championship Game. The Roadrunners have forced 20 turnovers on the year with 15 coming over the past seven contests, including 12 in the last four.
D-line rotation keeps Roadrunners fresh
UTSA defensive coordinator Jess Loepp uses a deep rotation up front to keep the Roadrunners fresh throughout the course of a game. The Roadrunners played nine defensive linemen in the season opener versus No. 24 Houston and a total of 10 defensive linemen saw action in the 41-38 comeback win over Army on Sept. 10. UTSA continued the 10-man rotation in the next four contests, and nine saw action in the road victory over FIU which saw UTSA match the school record with 14 tackles for loss. UTSA also played nine in both victories against North Texas, as well as against Louisiana Tech and Rice, while eight saw the field in victories over UAB and UTEP. A total of 11 UTSA defensive linemen have been credited with a TFL this fall with honorable mention all-conference pick Nick Booker-Brown pacing the unit with six and first-team all-league performer Brandon Brown close behind with 5.5.
Linebacker leaders
The Roadrunners are not short on leadership in the second line of defense this fall, as three all-conference performers who earned one of the coveted single-digit jersey numbers are lining up as starters at linebacker. The tandem of Trevor Harmanson, who is wearing No. 1, and Jamal Ligon, who is donning No. 8 for the second straight season, provides UTSA with two veterans in the middle. A super senior from Dickinson, Texas, Harmanson has recorded 240 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a pair of recoveries in 50 career contests. Ligon, a junior out of Tyler and second-team all-conference selection, has registered 220 tackles, 13 TFLs, five sacks, four forced fumbles, a trio of recoveries and an interception in 36 games as a Roadrunner, and he owns the program single-game tackles record with 19 against Middle Tennessee in 2020. Meanwhile, Dadrian Taylor is back in his No. 7 jersey for his final year manning the SAM linebacker spot. In 58 career appearances, the Shiner, Texas, native has logged 113 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, eight PBUs, three fumble recoveries and a trio of interceptions, all of which he has returned for touchdowns, good for the program record. In fact, Taylor is one of only seven active FBS players with at least three interception return TDs.
Moore emerges on the edge
UTSA redshirt freshman Trey Moore has emerged on the edge for the defense this season. The Smithson Valley High School product leads the Roadrunners with 14.5 tackles for loss and six sacks as part of his 53 total tackles this fall. An honorable mention All-Conference USA and C-USA All-Freshman Team selection, he opened his debut campaign with three tackles, including half a sack, against No. 24 Houston before breaking out for eight stops in the overtime win at Army. He registered six tackles with 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage in the victory over Texas Southern and followed that with a sack as part of a three-tackle output in the road triumph over Middle Tennessee. Moore picked up the pressure with 2.5 sacks in the 30-10 win at FIU, a half-TFL in the victory versus North Texas and three tackles for loss, including a sack, in the 44-38 double-overtime win at UAB. He totaled five tackles including a strip-sack, and a fumble recovery in the 51-7 win versus Louisiana Tech and recorded a pair of stops and a hurry in the 41-7 victory over Rice. After turning in five stops with 1.5 TFLs against UTEP and one more in the C-USA Championship Game, he stands third on the program's single-season list for tackles for loss — three shy of Marcus Davenport's school record of 17.5 set in 2017 — and is just outside the top five for sacks.
Mayfield comfortable on an island
UTSA cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. was thrown into the fire, so to speak, as a true freshman in 2018, seeing action in 10 games and drawing two starts. The Forney, Texas, native has made the most of that early playing time, developing into a steady presence at the position during the course of his career with 47 starts in 60 contests, the most games played in program history. The son of former Oklahoma and NFL defensive lineman Corey Mayfield and an honorable mention all-conference accolades in each of the past two seasons, he started 2022 with six total tackles, four solo stops and a key pass breakup deep in UTSA territory against No. 24 Houston. The first-team all-conference performer then registered three tackles and a PBU in overtime of UTSA's 41-38 comeback win over Army before logging four solo stops and a PBU at No. 20 Texas. Mayfield posted six unassisted tackles and a pair of pass breakups in the win over WKU and then came up with his first interception of the season to go with five solo stops in the 30-10 victory at FIU. Mayfield, who was voted into the No. 2 jersey number this season, made it back-to-back weeks with a pick when he stepped in front of a pass and also posted four tackles and three PBUs in the 31-27 win over North Texas. He had an interception in a third consecutive game, picking off a pass and returning it 15 yards to go with four tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and three PBUs in the win at UAB. He posted three tackles and a PBU versus Louisiana Tech, two TFLs and a sack at Rice, seven stops in the win over UTEP and six tackles and a PBU in the C-USA Championship Game to take his season totals to 59 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, 13 PBUs, three INTs and a forced fumble. He stands 18th nationally with 1.2 passes defended per game and his 16 passes defended this year are tied atop the school's single-season chart. Mayfield now boasts 162 tackles, 11 TFLs, four sacks, 20 PBUs, seven interceptions and three forced fumbles for his career, and he is only pass defended short of Triston Wade's career mark of 35.
Playmaker in the secondary
UTSA senior Clifford Chattman has emerged as a playmaker in the secondary for the Roadrunners in his final campaign, earning first-team All-Conference USA accolades for his performance in 2022. The New Orleans native leads the team with four interceptions, which is tied for the program's single-season record and all have come in the last four contests, also a school record. The 6-5 safety shares the team lead with 13 pass breakups to go with 68 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. He recorded 11 tackles and had a key PBU on a pass into the end zone in overtime of UTSA's 41-38 victory at Army. He made six stops against No. 20 Texas and eight tackles plus a PBU in the 52-24 win over Texas Southern. He broke up a pair of passes to go with four tackles in the 31-28 victory against WKU before registering nine stops and three PBUs in the 31-27 triumph over North Texas. Chattman, who started his career at Texas A&M (2016-19), logged seven solo stops and a PBU in the 44-38 double-overtime win at UAB. He had a tackle and picked off his first pass of the season, which he returned 30 yards, in the 51-7 rout of Louisiana Tech before registering another interception return of 21 yards to go with four stops and a pair of PBUs in the 41-7 road triumph over Rice. In the comeback win over UTEP, he picked off a pass in the red zone off a tipped ball and then logged nine stops, a PBU and an interception in a fourth straight contest in the C-USA Championship Game win over North Texas.
Punter from Down Under
In its brief history has developed consistent success in the punting game with the likes of Kristian Stern and Yannis Routsas, a 2017 Ray Guy Award semifinalist. Lucas Dean has emerged as the next in that strong punting lineage. A product of Prokick Australia and the first Roadrunner from Down Under, Dean has used an Australian Rules Football background to help provide UTSA with a weapon in the kicking game since his arrival on campus in 2019. This season, he is averaging 44.9 yards on 37 punts with 12 of 50-plus yards and 15 inside the 20-yard line. Dean enjoyed a career day in the 52-24 win over Texas Southern, breaking his own school record with a 76-yard punt late in the contest He also had kicks of 67 and 52 yards and averaged 60.5 on four punts in that contest to smash his own UTSA standard of 51.2 set against North Texas last season. He averaged 52.0 yards on two punts with a long of 57 in the 45-30 win at Middle Tennessee and then posted a 45.7 mark on three attempts, including pinning North Texas at the 3-yard line on a 54-yard punt. He punted three times for a 47.3 mark with a long of 70 yards in the win at UAB and averaged 50.3 yards on three kicks in the victory against UTEP. A Ray Guy Award semifinalist, the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and a second-team All-American by the Sporting News in 2020, Dean picked up his second straight second-team all-conference certificate this fall. He is the only Roadrunner with a punt of 70-plus yards, as he has three to his name. The two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree and 2021 C-USA All-Academic Team selection owns five of the six longest punts in UTSA history and has improved his school record career average to 44.0, which ranks 14th among active FBS punters.
Welcome back, Sackett
Not often does a college football player finish his career where he started after transferring, but UTSA senior Jared Sackett is doing just that this season. As a true freshman for the Roadrunners in 2017, he made 19 of 22 field goals (.864) for the Roadrunners to become UTSA's first Lou Groza Award semifinalist and a Freshman All-American. The Fort Worth native connected on 14 of 19 field goals en route to his second straight season as a Groza Award semifinalist in 2018. He transferred to Arkansas to kick for a coaching staff that included Jeff Traylor, but he sat out the 2019 season and then moved on to USF following a coaching change. Sackett made 5 of 7 field goals and all 10 extra points he tried in limited action in 2020 for the Bulls. After not kicking in any games last fall, he transferred back to UTSA for his final campaign, entering this season as a member of the Lou Groza Award watch list. He opened his second stint as a Roadrunner by drilling a pair of field goals, including a 37-yarder as time expired to send the game into overtime, and also made all three extra points and had two touchbacks on four kickoffs against No. 24 Houston, earning C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He set a program record by collecting the league's weekly award four more times this fall to give him five for the season and seven as a Roadrunner. He has made 13 of his last 14 field goal-attempts to get to 21 of 26 (80.8%) on the year. He now has 59 makes — 14th among active FBS kickers — on 74 tries (79.7%) and 110 PATs during his collegiate career including his stop at USF. A Burlsworth Trophy nominee this year, he owns the UTSA career record with 54 field goals and he stands third in school history with 99 extra points.
Transfers making immediate impact
UTSA has seen several first-year transfers make an immediate impact this season. Nicktroy Fortune, who last played for West Virginia, has started all 13 games at cornerback and registered 40 tackles, four tackles for loss, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. LSU transfer Joe Evans has seen action on the defensive line and owns 17 stops, 2.5 TFLs and half a sack in 10 contests. NC State transfer defensive lineman Nick Booker-Brown made his UTSA debut in the 41-38 comeback win at Army, recording three tackles including a sack for a 5-yard loss, and he now has 28 stops, six TFLs, three sacks, a pair of PBUs, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble on the year. Pig Cage, a defensive back from LSU who started his career at Nicholls, has logged 17 tackles, 1.5 TFL and a PBU in 12 contests. On offense, Venly Tatafu, who came from Independence Community College, has played in 11 games with seven starts to help the offense average 486.1 yards per game, good for ninth nationally. Arkansas transfer running back Trelon Smith has rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while Colorado transfer Chris Carpenter became the first Roadrunner to return a kickoff for a touchdown with a 97-yarder in the victory against Texas Southern.
Carpenter makes history
Chris Carpenter stamped his name in the UTSA record book as the first Roadrunner to return a kickoff for a touchdown when he took one back 97 yards for a score in the 52-24 victory over Texas Southern on Sept. 24. A transfer from Colorado, the Jacksonville, Texas, native's return also soared to the top of the program's list of longest plays, moving ahead of Jarveon Williams' 92-yard run versus Southern Miss in 2016. Now in its 12th season had returned a total of 396 kickoffs without a score before Carpenter broke free for his record setter. The previous longest kickoff return before Carpenter's 97-yarder was 87 yards by Kam Jones at Florida Atlantic in 2014. Carpenter currently leads C-USA in kick return average at 28.7 and is one of 27 FBS players with a kickoff return TD this season.
Brotherly duos
UTSA has three sets of brothers on the 2022 roster in safety Pig Cage and wide receiver Quincy Cage, offensive lineman Kevin Davis and wide receiver Isaiah Davis, along with outside linebackers Dadrian and Donyai Taylor. The Roadrunners are one of only nine FBS teams with multiple sets of brothers this season. Additionally, the Taylor brothers are one of only eight sets of brothers to have combined for at least 5.0 tackles for loss this season, as they have registered a combined 5.5. The Taylor brothers each recovered a fumble in the 41-7 road win over Rice on Nov. 19.
TV birds
Friday's game will be televised nationally on ESPN, marking 124 straight televised/streamed appearances for the Roadrunners. The last UTSA game that was not broadcast was the 2012 season finale against Texas State.
Duo in seventh season of college football
UTSA seniors Clifford Chattman and Dru Prox are in rare company as two of only 23 FBS players who are in at least their seventh season of college football. In fact, that duo makes UTSA the only school on the list with two current seventh-year players.
A focus on recruiting Texas
UTSA's 112-man roster features 87 players — 78% — who hail from the state of Texas. Louisiana stands second with five players, while there are three each from California, Florida and Mississippi and two apiece from Georgia and Tennessee. Hawai'i, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Virginia each have produced one current Roadrunner, while Lucas Dean is the lone UTSA player from Australia.
UTSA's 210 Triangle of Toughness
Since his arrival in December 2019 head coach Jeff Traylor has instilled into the program his 210 Triangle Of Toughness — run the football, be physical on defense and good on special teams — and its Culture Pillars: Integrity, Passion, Mental & Physical Toughness, Selfless and Perfect Effort. As part of that culture, the players voted after fall camp on who would earn single-digit jersey numbers, a reward for representing mental and physical toughness on and off the field. The numbers 2, 1 and 0 — San Antonio's area code — were chosen for the players voted to represent the 210 Brand, the UTSA Triangle of Toughness. Below are the single-digit jersey numbers as voted by their teammates:
0 — Frank Harris, Rashad Wisdom
1 — De'Corian Clark, Trevor Harmanson
2 — Joshua Cephus, Corey Mayfield Jr.
3 — Brandon Matterson
4 — Clifford Chattman, Zakhari Franklin
5 — Brenden Brady, Lucas Dean
6 — Kelechi Nwachuku
7 — Dadrian Taylor
8 — Jamal Ligon
9 — Brandon Brown, Oscar Cardenas
Offensive linemen Kevin Davis (61), Makai Hart (77), Terrell Haynes (58) and Ahofitu Maka (55) also received the necessary votes but cannot change to a single-digit number due to their position.
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