by Pat Turner, goUTSA.com contributing writer
SAN ANTONIO — Running back David Glasco II and wide receiver Kam Jones are in the final chapter of their storied football careers at UTSA.
This will be the last season they’ll go through daily workouts and hear the road of the crowd at the Alamodome after turning a big play. After this year, there will be no more celebrating victories with their teammates.
With that in mind, Glasco II and Jones are determined to make their senior season a grand finale.
The year got off to a great start at Houston, but four consecutive losses have followed and the Roadrunners will look to get back on the winning track beginning with tonight’s annual Homecoming game against FIU.
With that being said, the two still are determined to finish strong. If that type of ending happens, they’re hoping it leads to a Conference USA Championship and the program’s first-ever bowl berth.
“The seniors came in this season wanting to do something special,” Jones said. “We have had good years, but we still haven’t played our best. We feel like we can win but can’t get cocky and go through the motions. We have to practice hard and do the right things. We can’t take anything for granted. We have to take it game-by-game and not let up. We have to push on the gas and keep going. That is our motto every game.”
No matter how it turns out, Glasco II and Jones already have been part of something special.
They are two of 18 seniors who helped launch the Roadrunners’ football program five years ago. Although it’s been a memorable adventure, there have been growing pains along the way.
That first season was true test of character and patience, as the players went through a redshirt season with no reward of playing games on Saturday. Not only were there no games, but UTSA didn’t have uniforms or a practice field to call their own. Instead, they ventured to nearby Farris Stadium for their workouts.
“It was crazy not playing a game,” Jones said. “I think the thing that was hard for me was we would just practice. All my high school friends were posting pictures and stats on Facebook and Twitter about their games on Friday night. On Saturday, we would watch college football and I always wished we would be the ones out there.
Not all members of the original signing class stuck with it. Those who bought into coach Larry Coker’s philosophy had a vision and knew the hard work would pay off. Sooner or later, everything fell into place.
“We were talking about this the other day, wondering how we made it through the practices,” Glasco II said. “We were working out and scrimmaging against each other on Fridays. We didn’t have our own practice field and we had UTEP’s old throwback jerseys as hand-me-downs. That was difficult, but we kept our eyes on the big picture. We had faith in our coaches. It was like an investment because we put something in it and knew something good was going to come out of it.”
Good things have come each year, including last season.
UTSA had a rough time early on as it played one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in the country, but the Roadrunners caught fire over the final five games and were in the West Division title picture until the final week of the regular season.
Looking back, Glasco II and Jones believe the key to success was simple.
The Roadrunners believed it could happen if they stuck together.
“I’m not a bit surprised with how well we’ve done,” Glasco II said. “Surprisingly, I knew when we first got here, we could do something special. We all were young, almost like a mature high school team. I could tell from our work ethic, the tenacity and the way we played together it was going to be special some day.”
Glasco II and Jones have provided their contributions.
A year ago, Glasco II rushed for a team-leading 496 yards and five touchdowns despite missing the final three games with an injury.
Meanwhile, Jones shined in the passing game with 34 receptions for 345 yards and a score and he added another 302 and five TDs on just 29 rushes.
“David and Kam have been great players and great leaders for us,” Coker said. “What impressed me was Kam had a chance to go to Virginia and David had a chance to go to Stanford, but they chose to come here and start something.”
This season, the duo still is producing.
Glasco has rushed for a team-leading 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jones has added 13 catches for 106 yards, another 32 on the ground and he had a program-record 87-yard kickoff return two weeks ago at Florida Atlantic.
Now, they’re looking to get UTSA into a winning groove the rest of the way that would leave a lasting impression on the program.
“This is our opportunity,” Glasco II said. “We have a chance to leave a legacy, but I’m not taking anything for granted. We have to stay focused and be ready to play, but it’s still important to go out and have fun.
“It’s crazy. We can come back in 10 or 20 years and say ‘wow, this program has grown’ and know we were a big part of it. Not every generation has a chance to do that. We were the ones who helped get it started and that is something special.”