The 9-0 UTSA Roadrunners have seen better records than the 1-8 USM Golden Eagles. But Head Coach Jeff Traylor has warned his team and fans alike to be careful and not eat the cheese, because the cheese is always part of the trap.
At halftime the UTSA fans in attendance and at home might be wondering if the trap is springing before their eyes as USM lead throughout most of the first half. But a 40 yard touchdown pass from Frank Harris to Joshua Cephus tied the score at 10 as both teams look to regroup in the locker room.
CEPHUS! Joshua finds some space for a 40-yard score.
A four-play, 75-yard drive.
UTSA 10, Southern Miss 10 – 2nd (1:21). #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/QkhvILlx0l
— 🔶 UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) November 13, 2021
Gore-y Display
Southern Miss started Frank Gore Jr. at QB running an offense scheme built on draw plays to take advantage of the UTSA defense. The Roadrunners defense struggled to contain Gore as he racked up 114 yards in the first half averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Gore also scored the lone Golden Eagles touchdown.
While passing has not been the focus of the USM game plan, Gore has 32 yard pass that moved his team down to the 2 yard line in the first quarter.
However, Gore left the field a few times late in the second quarter with an apparent injury and headed back the the locker room early.
Frak Gore, Jr. @stn_2lit 😤😤@SouthernMissFB is up 7-3.
🖥 > https://t.co/fsMCB4OgfV pic.twitter.com/wuEDQuGBy4
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) November 13, 2021
Home Field Advantage
The Alamodome has seen crowds for the undefeated UTSA team grow each and every week this season.
The Home crowd is a welcome sight and sound for the Roadrunners who have not played a game in front of a friendly crowd since October 16th.
The crowd has made things difficult on the Golden Eagles. During the first quarter, USM found their way down to the 2 yard line with a first down. 2 bad snaps along with multiple False Start penalties forced the Golden Eagles to settle for a 43 yard field goal attempt, which they missed.
UTSA Offense struggles
While UTSA would finish the half with a solid 2 minute drive to tie the score, the offense that usually runs so efficiently has not looked great.
In their first 4 possessions UTSA consisted of only 18 plays netting 3 points on 90 yards. Hardly the offensive efficiency the Roadrunners are used to.
One hand? No problem for @ZakhariFranklin. #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/pvDoxHPB3c
— 🔶 UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) November 13, 2021
