By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
UTSA squandered a double-digit halftime lead and fell 27–21 to Temple in its American Conference opener Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The Roadrunners (2–3, 0–1 American) led 14–3 at halftime after Patrick Overmyer scored on a 1-yard run and a 7-yard reception from Owen McCown. But Temple (4–2, 2–0) stormed back with 21 third-quarter points, including a 54-yard touchdown run by Hunter Smith, to seize control.
McCown briefly put UTSA back in front with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Devin McCuin late in the third, but the Owls responded with another short touchdown drive and sealed the win with a 36-yard field goal in the fourth. UTSA was penalized nine times for 83 yards and finished 4-for-12 on third down. The Roadrunners outgained Temple 304–309 in total yardage.
Head coach Jeff Traylor said the game swung on the first drive of the second half, when Temple converted a third-and-11 with a back-shoulder throw.
“You can’t allow the drive,” Traylor said. “You’re up 14–3, you’ve got to get them off the field there.”
Traylor criticized himself for abandoning the run game too quickly, especially with Robert Henry Jr. battling hydration issues.
“We got off the running game too quickly. We were blocking them too good up front to not give Will [Henderson] more of a chance. Got too pass-happy in my opinion,” he said.
He also defended McCown, who threw two touchdowns but was intercepted twice.
“There’s 100% no chance in hell [a QB change] has been discussed, thought about, and will ever happen,” Traylor said. “The kid played his tail off and gave us a chance to win.”
Defensively, UTSA allowed just 309 yards but gave up several contested plays.
“Their kids went up and made the plays and our kids didn’t,” Traylor said. “We are playing good enough to be in the game, but not good enough to win the game.”
UTSA will try to regroup when it hosts Rice (3–3, 1–2) on Saturday at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners have won six straight Homecoming games and own a 30–4 record at home under Traylor. They lead the all-time series 8-4 but lost 29-27 at Rice last season.
Traylor called Rice “an NFL-style ballgame” led by new coach Scott Abell, whose teams are known for running the football. The Owls have averaged 312.8 yards per game behind quarterback Chase Jenkins and running back Quinton Jackson.
“It’ll be another really close game right down to the very end,” Traylor said.
This week
Rice (3–3, 1–2) at UTSA (2–3, 0–1)
When: 6:30 p.m., Saturday at the Alamodome
TV & radio: ESPNU, AM 760 in San Antonio
Last meeting: Rice 29, UTSA 27 (Oct. 2024, Houston)
Opening betting line: UTSA -7.5
