Junior quarterback Owen McCown tossed two interceptions, and senior running back Robert Henry Jr. had his historic streak snapped as UTSA football fell to Temple University 27-21 on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite having a week off to rest and repair, the Roadrunners’ (2-3, 0-1 AC) performance against the Owls (3-2, 1-0 AC) was uninspiring. An early 14-3 lead was erased over the course of the second half with an uncharacteristically ineffective rushing effort from Henry, preventing UTSA from maintaining its advantage. Miscues and all, the Roadrunners had plenty of chances to win the game in the fourth quarter. Two drives within the final five minutes resulted in zero points and a road loss.
“I thought it was a very evenly-matched game,” coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. “The two turnovers, obviously, were killers. We didn’t create any. We had one created and had two guys on the ball, but didn’t come up with it. That hurt. The two turnovers were the biggest difference, and our inability to get our running game going.”
UTSA opened the game with a 12-play, 76-yard scoring drive. McCown completed five passes for 44 yards, and the drive culminated in a direct-snap touchdown for sophomore tight end Patrick Overmyer.
Temple responded with a 31-yard field goal.
The ‘Runners extended their lead with 7:21 on the clock in the second quarter; Overmyer picked up his second touchdown of the half off of a 7-yard receiving touchdown.
After establishing a double-digit lead and taking momentum into the locker rooms, the Roadrunners came out of the half flat on both sides of the ball. The Owls put together back-to-back scoring drives to take their first lead of the game.
UTSA responded quickly. McCown orchestrated a five-play, 75-yard drive and found sophomore wide receiver Devin McCuin for an 18-yard score.
From then on, Temple added 10 points, and the Roadrunners’ offense failed to establish a rhythm. McCown was sacked three times, most notably on the team’s final offensive play on fourth-down. The Owls ran out the clock and secured their first win over UTSA since the Roadrunners joined the American Conference in 2023.
Henry recorded a season-low 42 rushing yards in the loss, his first game under 100 rushing yards since the team’s win over Memphis University in 2024. Junior wide receiver AJ Wilson led the team in receiving yards with 67; McCuin followed closely with 60. Overmyer’s touchdown was the first of the season for the 2024 Freshman All-American. McCown has now registered two straight multi-interception games.
UTSA will return home to face Rice University at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.
