For the second consecutive year, UTSA football finds itself entering the bye week with a losing record. In 2023, the Roadrunners came out of the break and won seven straight conference games. Having already lost their conference opener against East Carolina University, fans are skeptical about a similar performance out of the Roadrunners in 2024. With uncertainty around the team going forward, here’s what we know about the team right now.
The UTSA passing game has been underwhelming
This is not an indictment on quarterback Owen McCown; rather, this is a play-calling issue. UTSA has enjoyed offensive success since Jeff Traylor took over in 2020. When your offense stands out as a Group of Five program, Power Five programs are going to want to take that from you. Former UTSA passing game coordinator Will Stein was credited with a lot of the Roadrunners’ offensive success from 2019-2022, and rightfully so. The UTSA offense was creative and found ways to spread the ball out and take advantage of a roster with talent at almost every skill position.
Stein left in 2023 to become the offensive coordinator of the Oregon Ducks, who have boasted one of the most electric offenses in the country since Stein’s arrival. Justin Burke took over as offensive coordinator in 2023 and has been serviceable at best. The 2024 roster has plenty of talent; there is no reason UTSA should be bottom three in points scored in the American Athletic Conference.
The UTSA defense is elite
After years of being known for its offensive prowess, UTSA now looks to win off the backs of its defense. Even after losing key pieces in the offseason, the Roadrunner defense is arguably the best it’s been under Traylor. With names like Martavius French and Jamal Ligon patrolling the middle of the field, UTSA has earned an 87.9 run defense grade from PFF. Former five-star recruit Denver Harris and 6-foot-3 corner Zah Frazier have provided consistent coverage on the boundary. Jimmori Robinson and Ronald Triplette have been the ‘Runners’ most dominant edge players, both with two sacks on the season so far. Despite allowing 31.6 points per game through five games, the Roadrunners have faced stout competition, with losses to No.2 Texas and rival Texas State Bobcats amounting for 105 of the Roadrunners’ 158 total points allowed.
Owen McCown is UTSA’s best option at quarterback
Though most fans’ perception of McCown changes depending on whether or not UTSA is winning at the moment, he should undoubtedly remain the starter for the rest of the season. Through five games, McCown is tied for fifth in the AAC in touchdowns, while only tossing two interceptions. McCown is also third in the AAC in on-target passes that were dropped with 13 and third to last in turnover-worthy plays with five.
What we’re seeing right now is a young quarterback trying to find his footing, with a fanbase that is used to seeing consistent greatness from an eighth-year senior. Development takes time. If you compare McCown’s first five games to former quarterback Frank Harris’ first five games, with a minimum of 25 dropbacks, their stats are very similar. Rotating quarterbacks rarely works out. It does little to instill confidence in either quarterback and creates unnecessary controversy. It’s as legendary coach John Madden once said: “If you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none.”
