The UTSA RoadRunners won their 1st home game of the season in front of a nationally televised audience and the Alamodomes’ first ever socially-distanced crowd.
UTSA improved to 2-0 this Saturday with a victory over the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks. The 24-10 win set the tone for the 2020 season and offered an official bookmark on the Jeff Traylor era in San Antonio. Traylor was able to lead the Runners to a win victory over his former football program. While the Alamodome was cap’d off at 17% capacity, the fans who came out to support or tuned in from home were treated to highlight-reel plays on both sides of the ball, as well as a better glimpse of what this new era of Runner Football will look like.
All photos courtesy of Aaron Meullion // 1st & 210
The teams remained scoreless in the 1st quarter, UTSAs’ defense held the Lumberjacks completely out of the red-zone. Here is video of another big stop by the UTSA defense on 3rd down.
UTSA ended the 1st quarter with a 3-0 lead. The RoadRunner defense set the Runners off to a confident start as they held SFA to a field-goal attempt. As it became clear early on that the Runners’ defense could handle whatever the Lumberjacks threw at them, UTSA looked to its‘ offense to put some points on the board.
The RoadRunners looked to their leader, recently named starting quarterback Frank Harris to lead the Roadrunners high octane offense. The Runners entered the day tied for 1st in the FBS in most points scored by a team in their opening game. Harris is proving to be the dynamic playmaker both the team and coach Traylor need him to be as he was named offensive player of the week.
UTSA QB Frank Harris rolls out of the pocket
Harris would score on the next play on A 3-yard touchdown trot. The RoadRunners now lead 10-0.
With Just 35 second left in the 1st half Frank Harris would cap off a yard scoring drive with a 4-yard pass to Joshua Cepheus.
A link to the play in full 4K resolution can be found HERE.
While the Runners likely assumed they would take the 17-0 lead into half, SFA quarterback Trae Self would unleash a 48-yard deep ball to Remi Simmons to put the Lumberjacks on the 8 yard line. SFA would go onto score with just 0:02 seconds left in the half.
The Runners entered the 2nd half with a 17-7 lead, after two costly turnovers in the first 5 minutes, SFA was in position to apply pressure on UTSA.
However the RoadRunner defense held SFA to just a field goal attempt leaving the Lumberjacks trailing 10-17. UTSA runnning Back Sincere McCormmick became the focal point of the offense as the RoudRunners tried to run out the clock.
With 7 minutes left in the game UTSA still held only a 7 point lead over SFA. As the RoadRunners rushing duo of Harris & McCormmick carried the team into the red-zone. Frank HArris would then go on to close the game out with a powerful 12 yard QB draw as he barreled over SFA Lumberjacks into the endzone.
The Roadrunners would hold that lead to win the game 24-10. Frank Harris would end the day with 269 yards accounting for 3 total touchdowns. Harris has earned Conference USA offensive player of the week honors for the 2nd straight game of the season. The RoadRunners will have a quick turnaround as they will play Middle Tennessee this Friday night back in the Alamodome.
