SAN ANTONIO — The Orange and White battled to a 56-56 tie using a modified scoring system at the Seventh Annual UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game presented by HealthTexas Medical Group on Saturday at Dub Farris Stadium.
The Orange (offense) piled up 397 total yards, including 307 through the air, and scored eight touchdowns, while the White (defense) had a pair of fumble returns for TDs in the spirited, two-hour scrimmage in front 3,102 fans.
Four UTSA quarterbacks combined for 23-of-48 passing and five touchdowns through the air.
Dalton Sturm threw for a team-high 120 yards and a TD on 11-of-22 passing. Bryce Rivers completed six passes for 97 yards and a score. Jaylon Henderson was 3-for-6 for 57 yards and a TD, while Manny Harris tossed for a pair of touchdowns as part of his three completions and 33 yards.
The ground game churned out 90 yards on 28 carries, led by 48 yards and a pair of scores on 10 totes from Tyrell Clay.
Josh Stewart led the receiving corps with five catches for 54 yards and a TD, as 13 different players recorded a reception. Clay added three for 37 yards, while Seth Damrow had a pair of early catches for 47 yards.
Meanwhile, Carl Austin III, La'Kel Bass and Marcos Curry registered four tackles apiece and DeQuarius Henry and King Newton both returned fumbles for touchdowns for lead the defense.
Henry picked up a fumble and returned it 77 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
Newton made the final play of the game memorable, as he scooped up a fumble after a sack by Jacob Vasquez and rumbled 60 yards for a TD.
The Orange got off to a quick start and eventually built a 16-point halftime advantage.
On the second possession of the game, Victor Falcon split the uprights from 31 yards out to cap a seven-play, 51-yard drive and give the Orange a 6-3 lead.
Two drives later, Sturm hooked up with Stewart on a 28-yard touchdown pass to end a four-play, 50-yard scoring march.
On the next possession for the Orange, Harris broke loose for a 32-yard scamper to help set up a 6-yard TD connection with Greg Campbell Jr. The extra point extended the lead to 22-6, which stood through the end of the first half.
Falcon added two more field goals early in the second half, one from 25 and another from 49 yards out.
Henderson had a 13-yard TD run and an 8-yard scoring connection with Jesse Ebozue early in the fourth quarter.
Clay's two touchdown runs came from seven and one yard out and Dannon Cavil caught a 15-yard pass from Harris.
Kirk Johnson Jr, hauled in a 9-yard TD pass from Rivers, while Falcon and Daniel Portillo drilled field goals from 33 and 23 yards, respectively, before Newton's fumble return on the final play of the day.
The Roadrunners will open their seventh season of play on Saturday, Sept. 2, when they host Houston at the Alamodome.
UTSA Football Spring Awards
Offensive Outstanding Effort Award: Reed Darragh
Most Improved Offensive Player: Tyrell Clay
Most Valuable Offensive Player: Josh Stewart
Defensive Outstanding Effort Award: Baylen Baker
Most Improved Defensive Player: Darryl Godfrey
Most Valuable Defensive Player: Kevin Strong Jr.
Special Teams Iron Man Award: Andrew Martel
Strongest Squat: Baylen Baker & Kevin Strong Jr., 625 pounds
Strongest Bench: Kyle McKinney, 415 pounds
Fastest Player: JaColbie Butler, 4.40 40-Yard Dash