UTSA football defeated the University of Memphis 44-36 on Saturday at the Alamodome.
The Roadrunners (4-5, 2-3 AAC) faced off against the Tigers (7-2, 3-2 AAC) demonstrating that their setbacks with injuries did not restrain them. UTSA’s victory over Memphis is the first time in program history that the Roadrunners have beaten a ranked school. The ‘Runners’ tight ends worked throughout the game to combat the pressure the Tigers brought to secure the win.
“That’s our deepest group on the team,” sophomore quarterback Owen McCown said. “They really stepped up in a show today.”
Roadrunners’ sophomore tight end Houston Thomas earned the team’s first touchdown of the game after receiving a 9-yard pass from McCown, tying the score 7-7.
“Their defense, they like to only rush three so it gives me a lot of time to survey the field,” McCown said. “Receivers did a great job getting open. I thought everyone executed for the most part.”
Memphis scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, extending its lead to 24-14. Tigers’ wide receiver Demeer Blankumsee got open for a 69-yard pass touchdown. Two minutes before that, Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan and Blankumsee connected for a 21-yard score.
Two minutes into the third quarter the Roadrunners extended their lead 31-24 after earning their tenth first down. Thomas ran into the end zone wide open for the catch for McCown to find him for the duo’s second touchdown.
“Every play matters,” McCown said. “Our heartbreaking loss last week in those early quarters, we had some plays we didn’t execute and it came back to bite us so that was the message this week.”
UTSA took multiple deep passes during the third quarter, playing aggressive offense and keeping the Memphis offense on the sidelines.
Memphis’ wide receiver Koby Drake caught a deep pass from Henigan to score a touchdown on the very edge of the Roadrunners end zone. With 48 seconds left in the game, Henigan passed to senior tight end Anthony Landphere who fumbled the ball into the end zone but quickly recovered it for the Tigers’ final score of the game.
During the game, Roadrunners’ senior linebacker Jamal Ligon became the program’s all-time leading tackler with 317 after logging six tackles for the team.
“It’s amazing,” Ligon said. “Last year I said it won’t be long. It’s a humbling feeling. It’s a blessing.”
In the second quarter, sophomore kicker Tate Sandell broke the school’s record for longest field-goal by 54 yards out. The previous record was 53 yards set by Sean Ianno in 2014.
UTSA will remain at home for its next game against the University of North Texas at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at the Alamodome.
