Rice University quarterback E.J. Warner found receiver Matt Sykes in the endzone with four seconds remaining in the game to hang on and beat UTSA 29-27 on Saturday night at Rice Stadium.
Trailing by 10 points midway through the third quarter, the ‘Runners (2-4, 0-2 AAC) stormed back to take a 27-23 lead with 2:06 left in the fourth. The Owls (2-4, 1-2 AAC) marched down the field on their final drive and stole the game out of UTSA’s hands.
“This is two weeks in a row that we’ve overcome a fourth quarter deficit, put ourselves in a position to win and didn’t get it done,” coach Jeff Traylor said. “We’re a shell of ourselves honestly.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the ‘Runners drew first blood with a 45-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Tate Sandell.
The Owls responded less than two minutes later when Warner optioned to call his own number and rushed through the left-side gap for a 5-yard touchdown. The Owls’ two-point attempt was no-good.
This was Warner’s first rushing touchdown of his career and the first time the Owls have led over UTSA since 2019.
The ensuing UTSA drive saw the Roadrunner offense go 75 yards in seven plays. Sophomore quarterback Owen McCown went 5 of 5 through the air, and capped off the drive with a 20-yard screen-pass touchdown to sophomore wide receiver DJ Allen.
As the time expired in the half, Owls’ kicker Enock Gota nailed a 46-yard field goal, making the score 10-9 as the teams hit the locker rooms.
Rice re-took the lead coming out of the half; Warner found running back Dean Connors for a 69-yard passing touchdown.
UTSA responded with a 52-yard field goal from Sandell.
The Owls’ regained possession and drove the length of the field in just over three minutes, finding the endzone with an 8-yard rushing touchdown from Connors and giving themselves a 23-13 lead with 8:01 left in the third quarter.
It would be a full quarter later before the UTSA offense sprung to life.
McCown, going 6 of 8 through the air, led the Roadrunners to their first touchdown drive of the half. McCown found sophomore wide receiver Devin McCuin for a 6-yard score.
After forcing a three-and-out from Rice, UTSA struck again. This time, it was a 38-yard passing touchdown from McCown to sophomore tight end Houston Thomas.
With just one final drive remaining, all the Roadrunners needed was a stop and their comeback would be complete. A pair of defensive pass interference penalties from the ‘Runners stymied their efforts.
After suffering just two losses in conference play through the first four years under coach Traylor, UTSA has now lost two consecutive conference games. Rice had not beaten UTSA since 2014 and improved to 4-8 against the ‘Runners all-time in the win. Both quarterbacks on each sideline had stellar performances, combining for 603 passing yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. UTSA could not overcome its 16 penalties for 146 yards.
“It’s heartbreaking, for sure,” McCown said.
UTSA will return home to face the Florida Atlantic University Owls at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.
