by Pat Turner, goUTSA.com contributing writer
SAN ANTONIO — Those associated with UTSA football program could be even more thankful this Thanksgiving weekend.
A chance to make history could occur in tonight's regular season finale against Charlotte at the Alamodome. If the Roadrunners can pull off a victory, they'll be bowl eligible for the first time.
For seniors like safety Michael Egwuagu and running back Jarveon Williams, that would be the ultimate happy ending to their remarkable careers. After all, this has been their goal since they became members of the program back in 2013.
"I would have loved to had a Conference USA Championship, but going to a bowl game would mean just as much because we have never been to one," Egwuagu said. "I want to be able to leave here with something that I can tell my kids and family about. I would like to tell them I was a member of that first UTSA team that got a bowl ring. It would be amazing. There's a lot to say about a team that goes to a bowl game."
Williams already has created history.
He became UTSA's first 1,000-yard rusher a year ago, rambling for 1,042 yards, and the local product from Converse Judson High School considers that a major career highlight. However, a bowl appearance would be a greater thrill.
"It would mean so much," Williams said. "I don't even know if I can put it into words. To be on the first team to make a bowl game and make history would be a blessing. It's a tremendous opportunity. Four years ago, I wouldn't have seen it coming, but it is in the making now and we need to get it done. It would be a big step for our program and show how far we have come."
It's been a challenging climb since the inaugural 2011 campaign.
High hopes of reaching that pinnacle occurred in 2014. The previous season UTSA put together a 7-5 record, but the Roadrunners were not eligible to participate in a bowl due to reclassifying to the Football Bowl Subdivision. With much of the nucleus returning, including a national-leading 36 seniors, they felt their time was coming.
It didn't go as expected, as UTSA stumbled through a 4-8 season. There were more obstacles a year ago in what turned out to be a three-win season.
However, a coaching change took place in January when Larry Coker, who launched the program, resigned, and Frank Wilson left LSU to become the new man in charge.
The instant Wilson arrived, he brought positive vibes with intentions to make an instant turnaround. The Roadrunners bought into the plan and moved forward.
"Coach Wilson had a vision that we didn't see at the time, but his whole emphasis was to trust the process," junior wide receiver Kerry Thomas Jr. said. "He expected us to go to a bowl game this year, but it was going to start with how we prepared and attacked our offseason. It was hard because we had never been through anything like that before, but we trusted the process and put ourselves in the position we are in now. It's exciting because this is what we came here to do."
Still, the Roadrunners had to prove themselves on the field.
Because of last year's struggle, UTSA didn't get much attention in the preseason after being picked to finish fifth in Conference USA's West Division.
The Roadrunners had a different view.
"We knew this could be a good year," Williams said. "I had confidence in all these guys because I had been working with them. I knew the capability of this team. Everyone has been through the blood, sweat and tears. We all love this game. When you love the game, you're going to be put everything into it and that's what we're doing."
It's been an interesting ride.
After opening the season with a 26-13 victory against Alabama State, UTSA fell at Colorado State (23-14) and against Arizona State (32-28) before stumbling at Old Dominion, 33-19, in its league opener.
The Roadrunners ended the three-game skid — and opened some eyes in the process — by pounding out a 55-32 win over preseason West Division favorite Southern Miss.
After a 14-13 win at Rice, UTSA dropped a heart-breaking 52-49 loss in five overtimes to UTEP, but a rebound occurred once again, this time with wins against North Texas (31-17) and at East Division favorite Middle Tennessee (45-25).
The loss two weeks ago at Louisiana Tech cost the Roadrunners a chance to play for the C-USA title, but a bowl opportunity still is present and that provides plenty of incentive going into tonight's regular season finale.
"We focused on the little things," Egwuagu said. "We focused on us and didn't care about what anyone else was saying. Closing the walls and putting on the blinders is what we did. I knew this could be a good year because I saw the work we were doing in the offseason. I saw the shift in culture from the previous years. This program is continuing to blossom and this season is just the tip of the iceberg."
Whatever happens tonight against Charlotte, the Roadrunners can go into the offseason with the assurance the program is heading in the right direction.
For the seniors who have been part of the program the past four years, that means a great deal.
"It has been special coming here and helping a program get started," Williams said. "I have friends who went to established programs, but we didn't have that. We had to come in with a chip on our shoulder. It was different, but we're starting to do some of those things other programs are doing. It won't be too much longer before we'll be considered an on-the-rise program and we'll be established. Then, we'll have a name for ourselves."
Egwuagu is also thankful to have played a role in UTSA's progress. However, the experience also enabled him to enjoy personal growth as well.
Egwuagu left the team briefly his sophomore year because of a family issue. However, he quickly decided to return and was welcomed back with open arms. Since then, the preseason all-conference selection has shown his appreciation with top-notch performances on a weekly basis.
"I've had great teammates the last four years," Egwuagu said. "For me personally, that means a bit more, because those guys were around me when I dropped out and left the team. When I came back, they were there for me through it all and never left me. It is amazing how you meet some genuine guys who will go to battle for you. We have all grown together and had each other's back."
No doubt the senior class left their mark on the underclassmen, who plan to follow their example in the years to come.
"This senior class has done so much," Thomas said. "A lot of them have become great leaders this year. That's the main thing. It's not about an individual. It's been about helping us collectively. They are communicating and doing the things on the field to give us a visual to see the right thing to do."
