By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
The UTSA Roadrunners (0-1) are set for an emotional home opener Saturday when they welcome Texas State to the Alamodome for the annual “Battle for I-35″ rivalry game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Coming off a 42-24 road loss at Texas A&M, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor acknowledged that the quick turnaround against another physical opponent has left his team “a little banged up.”
“Our guys are a little banged up, you assert so much energy, and we have another hard game coming up with Texas State,” Traylor said during his Monday press conference. “Going up against Texas A&M, the kids go sky high and then we got Texas State coming to town. Be interesting to see how we manage all of this.”
Read more: UTSA vs. Texas State series history and top five moments
The Bobcats (1-0) arrive in San Antonio with momentum after dismantling Eastern Michigan 52-27 in their opener.
Texas State rolled up 606 yards of offense, including nearly 400 on the ground, behind a three-headed rushing attack that Traylor said demands respect.
“Texas State was the No. 5 offensively in the country and they picked up right where they left off,” he said. “They ran for over 400 yards, and all three backs are really good.”
That ground game will test a UTSA defensive front for the second straight week after being challenged by the Aggies’ massive offensive line last week.
“Texas A&M has the second largest o-line in the country; Texas State has the largest,” Traylor said. “My defensive line is the fortunate line to go against the two biggest offensive lines in the country in back-to-back weeks.”
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson also presents a unique challenge after throwing four touchdown passes against Eastern Michigan.
“Texas State’s quarterback is good with his feet … reminds me of a young G.J. Kinne running around back there,” Traylor said of his former Gilmer High School pupil, now leading the Bobcats as head coach.
Kinne guided Texas State to its first win in the series last year with a decisive 49-10 victory in San Marcos. Traylor admitted the loss still lingers.
“I’m impressed with how well they play,” Traylor said. “GJ has done a fantastic job over there and definitely out-coached us last year. Anytime you get your butt handed to us like we did last year better ignite something, or you’re not a competitor.”
UTSA will counter with its own offensive weapons.
Running back Robert Henry Jr. is coming off a 177-yard, two-touchdown performance against Texas A&M, highlighted by a 75-yard scoring sprint. Quarterback Owen McCown, who passed for more than 3,400 yards a year ago, looks to find rhythm at home with wideouts Willie McCoy and Devin McCuin.
The Roadrunners enter the matchup riding a school-record-tying 10-game home winning streak and a 29-3 record at the Alamodome under Traylor. Saturday also marks the 15th season of football for the program, and the school hopes to challenge its all-time home attendance record of 56,743.
Game info
UTSA (0-1) vs. Texas State (1-0)
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
TV/Radio: ESPN+ 760 AM (UTSA)
