The UTSA Roadrunners find themselves down 17-14 against the San Diego State Aztecs halfway through the Tropical Smoothie Frisco Bowl in Frisco, TX as they attempt to add their first bowl win to an already historic season.
It is the Roadrunners third bowl appearance in program history. In 2016, UTSA lost to New Mexico 23-20 in the New Mexico Bowl. Last season, UTSA was defeated in the First Responders Bowl 31-24 in Dallas.
The Roadrunners have soared to a 12-1 record and a Conference USA Championship. Head Coach Jeff Traylor thinks there is more history to be made. ” In the history of the program, we’ve never won a bowl game, right? These guys have done a lot of firsts this year. Somebody’s going to be the first team to win a bowl game in the history of this school. Why not us?”
BRADY! Brenden punches it in from two yards out.
Caps an 8-play, 75-yard drive.
UTSA 14, No. 24 SDSU 7 – 1st (2:02). #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/xkUkYKLOsJ
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) December 22, 2021
Roadrunners Running
The Roadrunners built a 14-7 lead in the first quarter largely on a running game without C-USA Championship Game MVP Sincere McCormick. The one-two punch of Brenden Brady and BJ Daniels racked up 79 yards in that first quarter. The Aztecs defense only gave an average of 77.5 yards throughout the 2021 season to opponents.
BJ for 17. #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/teU5j9uEF9
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) December 22, 2021
At the end of the first half UTSA has rushed for 92 yards.
Aztecs recover and take a late lead
The second quarter saw SDSU limit the Roadrunners to 0 points while putting 10 points on the board. The Aztecs scored on an 11 yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. As time expired on the half, they added a go ahead 33 yard Field Goal.
A better angle at @AztecFB 1st TD. pic.twitter.com/dXlKjFmRPP
— Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (@FriscoBowlGame) December 22, 2021
Harris shines
Frank Harris has been what the Roadrunners need at Quarterback all season long. When they have needed a big game from a big arm, Harris has been there. When they’ve needed a game manager to keep things together and lean on his running game for the difference in games, he’s been able to comply.
A better look at @UTSAFTBL 1st TD in the 2021 Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl. pic.twitter.com/yu3RiDCKPp
— Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl (@FriscoBowlGame) December 22, 2021
In the first half of his second straight bowl game Harris is 12-20 for 122 yards and a Touchdown with a Quarterback rating of 127.7.
Soft Coverage
The only questionable spot in the UTSA game plan is a zone pass defense that has allowed Aztec Quarterback Lucas Johnson to rack up 222 yards on 16 of 26 and 2 touchdowns for a QBR of 158.6. SDSU has made use of deep crossing patterns taking advantage of the UTSA defense between zones and moving the ball well especially in the second quarter.
