The University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners football program at an all-time high
SAN ANTONIO 鈥� If you are a University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunner fan, then you are probably pretty excited right now. The UTSA fan base has been waiting for this since their inaugural football season in 2012. Celebrating their 10th season as a football program, they have seen three head coaches, some ups and downs for a few seasons, but in 2021-22, the Roadrunner football team is 7-0 and has finally made their way into the NCAA Top 25 for the first time ever.
After sister school, UT-Austin (No. 25 going into their game), lost to Oklahoma State Saturday, UTSA was finally able to get the recognition they deserve at No. 25 in the USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25. They have proven this season that they are a formidable Division I NCAA opponent, and they can compete with the big boys now.
The Roadrunners annihilated the Rice Owls on Saturday both defensively and offensively with a shutout win of 45-0. UTSA鈥檚 winning streak started with the season-opener against Illinois (37-30); a shutout over Lamar (54-0); a win over Middle Tennessee (27-13); a defeat over Memphis (31-28); a win over UNLV (24-17); a victory over Western Kentucky; and finally their blowout win against Rice. Next up is against Louisiana Tech on Oct. 23. They finish out their conference play (they are No. 1 in the C-USA West Division) with UTEP, Southern Miss, UAB and North Texas.
Second-year head coach, Jeff Traylor, a former Arkansas, Texas and SMU associate coach, thinks his team of mostly Texas boys is pretty special.
鈥淟ook,鈥� he , 鈥淚鈥檓 a Texas high school football coach with seven Texas high school assistants and a bunch of Texas high school players. For us to go into Big 10 territory and get that done鈥�(is pretty amazing).鈥�
Coach Traylor鈥檚 motivational tactic for his players is, 鈥渄on鈥檛 eat the cheese鈥�, which basically means to stay away from naysayers and negativity and to avoid the outside hype. Considering the Roadrunners are only in their 10th season as a football program, he has a good reason for focusing on his team鈥檚 motivation and enthusiasm, especially with a 7-0 start. Traylor always believes in getting a lot of input from his players. They gel together better as a team when every player has a voice and concerns can be addressed equally.
His players, 鈥渨ere committed to raising the expectations 鈥� I鈥檓 so happy for those older kids, that they believed in us and came back and got to have success鈥� said Coach Traylor on his
Some standout players for UTSA this season include senior quarterback Frank Harris. Harris has completed 1,600 yards this season, a 69.2 completion percentage with 14 touchdowns. Junior running back Sincere McCormick leads the teams in rushing with 778 yards and six TDs. Junior wide receiver Joshua Cephus had 46 receptions for 520 yards and five touchdowns. Junior safety Rashad Wisdom has 31 solo tackles (tied for 42nd in the NCAA) and 44 total tackles. With the kind of talent these kids are displaying this season, they may just win out the remainder of their games staying undefeated.
The UTSA Roadrunner administration, athletic department and the fans waited for a long time to have a football program. Eleven years ago, the UTSA football program was born, and look where they are now. The opportunities could be endless. A top-10 finish in 2021-22? A move to a larger conference? More
recruits committing to the team? A great bowl game bid? Whatever happens in the future, the Roadrunners are focusing on the here, the now and the present. One game at a time, and hopefully more consecutive wins to finish out their already stellar season.
The eyes of the NCAA big-name football teams, as well as everyone else following college football, are on the UTSA Roadrunners. It is finally their time to shine.
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