UTSA Wins C-USA Championship 49-41 over Hilltoppers

The UTSA Roadrunners capped off a historic season for the program with even more history of Friday Night with a 49-41 win over the WKU Hilltoppers in the Alamodome to finish out a 12-1 season and claim the programs first Conference Championship.

Hilltoppers top offense

WKU came into the matchup with the top passing offense in all of college football.  The Hilltoppers and their QB Bailey Zappe continued to put up huge numbers after these teams matched up back in October with UTSA claiming a 52-46 win.

In the Championship game, the Hilltoppers did not slow down putting up 577 passing yards and 4 touchdowns.

UTSA Defends the Dome

The UTSA defense mitigated the ‘Toppers passing attack by shutting down the WKu rushing game.  WKU finished the game with -9 yards, a Conference USA Championship Game low.

The Roadrunners defense also forced 3 turn overs on the night including an interception on the final play.

UTSA Underdogs

The Roadrunners entered the Championship Game after suffering their only lass of the season with a 45-23 loss to UNT last Saturday. Despite having home field advantage for the game and a road win over WKU the Roadrunners found themselves considered underdogs for the Championship game.

“It’s amazing how quick people turn on you.” UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor said. “Yeah, we felt disrespected.”

“Getting our teeth kicked in got these guys attention.”

Sincere MVP

UTSA running back Sincere McCormick ran for 204 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Championship effort. He was named the MVP for the game.

Don’t Call it a Comeback

Early in the third quarter, UTSA opened up a 29 point lead after scoring two touchdowns on turnovers by WKU. But the Hilltoppers quick striking offense cut into the lead with two of their own touchdowns in the third quarter and another early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 8 points.

UTSA scored to push their lead to 15 with a touchdown with 4:43 left but WKU found the end zone with 2:20 seconds left.

UTSA was unable to convert and keep the ball away from Zappe giving the Hilltoppers one final chance to tie the score.  The Roadrunners defense held strong forcing an interception as time expired.

CHAMPS

UTSA claims it’s first Conference Championship in program history with a 12-1 record.  They will await a Bowl game invitation with speculation leaning toward a bid to either the Independence Bowl in Shreveport on December 18th or the New Orleans Bowl on the same day.