A severe lack of offense by the UTSA Roadrunners (3-3, 1-1) has been the biggest factor of a game that seriously could be worse here at the end of the first half against Louisiana Tech (3-2, 2-1), where UTSA trails 19-6.
At the half.#BirdsUp | #RunAsOne🤙 pic.twitter.com/lKjSkG77Zf
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) October 25, 2020
Tech has started three drives inside Roadrunner territory thanks to a Frank Harris interception to set up one, and UTSA’s inability to get away from their own endzone following kick-offs. The Roadrunner defense held their opponent to just nine points on each of the short-field situations, but when you bend something enough, it might just break, and that’s what happened in partway through the 2nd quarter when Louisiana Tech scored the game’s first touchdown off a 13-yard pass from QB Luke Anthony to WR Isaiah Graham.
Generating offense has been a serious problem for UTSA in the first half, posting just 116 yards, compared to 212 from Tech. On the three drives that UTSA did find some momentum with the ball, with all three ending in field goal attempts. Hunter Duplessis made the first two, extending his nation-leading streak with his 22nd and 23rd consecutive field goals made. With six seconds left in the first half and UTSA down by 13, Coach Traylor sent Duplessis out on 1st & 10 to attempt a 52-yarder that came up short, bringing an end to his impressive record.
Add another drive starting in UTSA territory, this one at the 46 for LA Tech. https://t.co/nCcIzRXA4C
— Jonas Clark (@jarkclonas) October 25, 2020
The defense for the Roadrunners has done quite well in the first half, especially for having to defend a short field on multiple occasions, but haven’t been able to get to Louisiana’s quarterback, nor create any turnovers. The run defense has looked good, but when Tech’s offense has had a longer field to work with, they’ve been able to hit larger plays through the air.
As a whole, this game could be a lot worse, and we’ll see what kind of adjustments Coach Traylor and his staff can make at the half. Frank Harris has struggled to throw the ball, completing 8-17 for 71 yards, with an interception and no scores. With just a true freshman behind him and only a two-score game yet, I wouldn’t expect to see a change under center, but maybe the offense will lean on Sincere McCormick, the nation’s leading rusher, a little more. At the half he has 12 carries for just 30 yards.
