In the final game of the ‘Runners non-conference schedule, UTSA (2-2) hosted the Texas Southern Tigers (1-3), which was the first meeting between the two teams. Despite the score being closer than it should have been, UTSA pulled away in the second half, winning by 28 points.

Starting the game, Texas Southern won the toss and elected to receive. After being forced to punt, UTSA went down the field on a 10-play, 87-yard drive, taking up three minutes of play. Quarterback Frank Harris had a 19-yard touchdown run, putting the ‘Runners up 7-0. On UTSA’s next possession, running back Kevorian Barnes fumbled, which was recovered by the Tigers. Texas Southern answered with a touchdown late in the first quarter. Wasting no time, Chris Carpenter returned a 97-yard kickoff for a touchdown, putting the ‘Runners up 14-7. This was the first ever kickoff return for a touchdown in program history. When the Tigers looked as if they would tie the game with a touchdown, cornerback Dywan Griffin intercepted a pass from Texas Southern quarterback Andrew Body. After several bad possessions, UTSA had a four-play, 71-yard drive ending with a 31-yard pass to De’Corian Clark from Harris. After a facemask penalty and good return by the Tigers, Texas Southern took over on UTSA’s 35-yard line. Body ran in the 4-yards for a touchdown, cutting the score 21-14. The ‘Runners were held to a 3 & out and punted back to the Tigers. Richard Garcia III kicked a 20-yard field goal for Texas Southern. Going into halftime 21-17, UTSA.  

The Roadrunners came out of halftime going back to Clark for a 69-yard touchdown. Within a minute UTSA went up 28-17 and did not look back. Going back to the receivers, UTSA had another three-play drive ending with a Joshua Cephus touchdown. This was a 23-yard pass from Harris and redemption for Cephus’ fumble earlier in the quarter. Texas Southern did respond with a 33-yard touchdown pass of their own to make the score 35-24, but that was the last points the Tigers would score. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Harris threw a 35-yard pass to Zakhari Franklin for a touchdown, increasing the score to 42-24. Cornerback Avery Morris got an interception for UTSA, putting the ‘Runners in field goal range. Jared Sackett eventually made the kick from 43-yards. Backup quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Clark late in the fourth. The final score was 52-24.  

Harris led the way with four touchdowns and 392 passing yards, which was a new single-game record for UTSA. Off the bench, Marburger had 49-yards with one touchdown. Clark had 217-yards with three touchdowns. Cephus had 114-yards. UTSA had 441 total receiving yards. However, they did have five penalties, all coming in the first half.  

UTSA has had a banged-up offensive line, even having to move a couple of defensive linemen to the offensive side. The ‘Runners are now 2-2 in out of conference play for the season, and with the Conference USA schedule coming up, they will be ready. UTSA has won 10 of their last 11 games in the Alamodome and is now 8-3 against Texas teams under head coach Jeff Traylor.  

The Roadrunners will now travel to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to play Middle Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30.