SAN ANTONIO – UTSA football wins its second straight conference game, beating UAB 41-20 on Saturday night in the Alamodome. The running backs led the way for the Roadrunners (3-3, 2-0 AAC) in the annual Hispanic Heritage Game, with junior Robert Henry having nine carries for 99 yards and a touchdown alongside sophomore Kevorian Barnes’s 19 carries for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
The UTSA offense came out hot in its home conference opener, scoring two touchdowns on its first two possessions.
On the opening drive, quarterback Frank Harris drove the offense down the field on an eight play drive, finishing it off with a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Henry.
On the ensuing UAB (2-5, 1-2) drive, linebacker Trey Moore forced a fumble from quarterback Jacob Zeno and UTSA was able to recover. It took just one play for Harris to connect with receiver Joshua Cephus for a 10-yard touchdown. The ‘Runners managed to jump to a two touchdown lead within the game’s first five minutes.
After the Blazers responded on their next drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, UTSA countered with a score of its own. A defensive pass interference call put the Roadrunners on the UAB 7-yard line, which led to a 4-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Cephus.
UAB tacked on three points with a late second quarter 25-yard field goal from Matt Quinn. UTSA kicker Chase Allen knocked through a field goal of his own for the ‘Runners –– a 46-yarder –– to take the lead into halftime 24-13.
The Blazers opened the third quarter with a 12 play drive, going 75 yards and finishing it off with a 25-yard touchdown run from Jermaine Brown Jr. UTSA responded with a 10 play drive of its own, capped off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Barnes.
The Roadrunners got their first interception of the season in the fourth quarter which led to the team’s final touchdown. Defensive back Kam Alexander made an explosive jump on the ball to secure the turnover at UAB’s 17-yard line. Barnes ran for 12 yards on five plays, including his second 1-yard touchdown.
UTSA’s 41-20 victory over UAB is the third straight year the Roadrunners defeated the Blazers. Harris finished the game completing 19 of 30 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Cephus led the receiving corp with 55 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns.
“That was a good team win,” said UTSA coach Jeff Traylor.
After forcing zero turnovers the first several weeks of the season, the Roadrunners have compiled five in the last two weeks against their American Athletic Conference opponents.
“We played better defensively than I thought we were even capable of tonight,” said Traylor of his team’s defensive performance.
UTSA will look to extend its winning streak as they hit the road for the next conference matchup. The ‘Runners will travel to Boca Raton to take on FAU with kickoff set for 5 p.m. Saturday, at FAU Stadium.
