By Kelly Marshall
Austin Sports Journal

SAN ANTONIO — Owen McCown threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns, and UTSA set a program record for points in a game with a 61-13 rout of Rice on Saturday night at the Alamodome.

The Roadrunners (3-3, 1-1 American Conference) scored on their first three possessions and never looked back, building a 21-3 lead in the opening quarter. Robert Henry capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and McCown followed with scoring strikes to Devin McCuin and AJ Wilson. Wilson’s 20-yard grab came after McCuin’s 2-yard score, giving UTSA a three-touchdown cushion.

McCown completed 15 of 21 passes and connected with DJ Allen for a 43-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

“We just executed at a high level from all phases,” McCown said. “Starts up front with the O-line, and my job is to get the playmakers the ball. Felt like we did that really well today.”

Will Henderson III added two long touchdown runs – 43 and 57 yards – as part of his 115-yard night on just five carries. Henry finished with 64 yards and a score. UTSA piled up 437 yards of offense and averaged 7.4 yards per play.

The Roadrunners’ defense delivered big plays as well. Kendrick Blackshire returned an interception 17 yards for a touchdown on the first series of the third quarter, and Shad Banks Jr. scooped a fumble and raced 41 yards to the end zone minutes later. Jonathan Jones added a safety before Henderson’s second long run pushed the margin to 61-10 late in the third.

Rice (3-4, 1-3) managed 269 total yards, including 190 on the ground. Daelen Alexander led the Owls with 129 rushing yards and a 3-yard touchdown late in the first half. He also broke free for a 57-yard run to set up the score. Tyvonn Byars added 47 yards rushing, and Chase Allen kicked a 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor praised his team’s resilience after a frustrating conference-opening loss last week.

“The timing of it couldn’t have been any better,” Traylor said. “We’re not where we want to be with our record, but these kids keep showing up and getting better. Tonight was just another step.”

The Roadrunners improved to 21-0 in home conference games under Traylor. They converted all four red-zone chances and scored 23 points off turnovers. Rice quarterbacks combined for just 79 passing yards and were sacked twice.

UTSA will face North Texas next week, while Rice returns home to play Charlotte.