UTSA Roadrunners (2-4, 1-2) vs. Rice Owls (0-6, 0-2)
5 p.m. | Oct. 19, 2019
Alamodome (36,582) | San Antonio, Texas
TV: ESPN3
Radio: The Bull92.5/93.3 FM
Opening drive
• UTSA and Rice will meet for the eighth time on Saturday, making it the most-played series in program history.
• The Roadrunners have won four straight games against the Owls.
• UTSA owns a 4-3 edge in the all-time series.
• The Roadrunners have won two of the three previous meetings at the Alamodome.
• UTSA is 4-4 all-time in Homecoming games, including a 20-7 win over Rice two years ago.
• The Roadrunners will not leave the state of Texas until Nov. 9 at Old Dominion (Norfolk, Va.).
• Saturday's game will air on ESPN3, marking the 79th straight UTSA game to be broadcast.
Setting the scene
UTSA will host Rice for its annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 19. Kickoff for the Conference USA West Division matchup is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Alamodome and the game will air on ESPN3 and The Bull 93.3/92.5 FM in San Antonio. The Roadrunners (2-4, 1-2 C-USA) and the Owls (0-6, 0-2) will meet for the eighth time, making it the most-played series in program history (UTSA will play Louisiana Tech for the eighth time on Nov. 30). UTSA has won the last four meetings with Rice and leads the all-time series, 4-3, including a 2-1 mark in games played in San Antonio.
Tuning in
The game will air ESPN3, which can be viewed on the ESPN app or online at watchespn.com (cable/satellite provider credentials are required). Lincoln Rose (play-by-play), LaDarrin McLane (analyst) and Brooke Shoemaker (reporter) have the call. The contest will air live on the Roadrunners Sports Network and can be heard in the San Antonio area on The Bull 93.3/92.5 FM. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (sideline reporter) will call all the action. The pregame show will begin at 3 p.m. and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. The broadcast also can be heard live online at goUTSA.com and thebullcountry.iheart.com and via the free iHeartRadio app, as well as SiriusXM Internet channel 978.
Who's counting?
Saturday's league tilt will mark the 101st game in UTSA history and the 51st home contest. The Roadrunners are 43-57 all-time and 25-25 at the Alamodome. By comparison, Rice has played football since 1912 and owns an all-time record of 467-598-32.
Scouting Rice
The Owls will enter Saturday's contest at 0-6 overall and 0-2 in Conference USA. Rice and UTSA have three common opponents, as the Owls dropped a 14-7 road decision to Army in the season opener, were outlasted by Baylor by a 21-13 score and fell by a 35-20 count at UAB in their last outing on Oct. 5. Rice is averaging 15.7 points and 285.8 yards of offense per game and yielding 30.3 points and 406.0 yards per outing. Aston Walter leads the ground game with 395 yards and four touchdowns on 92 carries, while Austin Trammell is the top receiver with 28 catches for 397 yards and a TD. The Owls have played two quarterbacks, with Wiley Green completing 52 of 98 passes for 548 yards and two scores and Tom Stewart throwing for 444 yards and three TDs on 39-of-67 passing. Blaze Allredge paces he defense with 53 tackles (34 solos), 11.5 tackles for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry. Head coach Mike Bloomgren is 2-17 in his second season at the helm of the program.
Series history
UTSA and Rice will meet for the eighth time on Saturday, making it the most-played series in program history (UTSA will play Louisiana Tech for the eighth time on Nov. 30). The Roadrunners have won the last four meetings with the Owls and lead the all-time series, 4-3. UTSA is 2-1 versus Rice in games played at the Alamodome and 3-0 against their I-10 foes under fourth-year head coach Frank Wilson. The Roadrunners have held the Owls to a total of 23 points in the Wilson era, an average of 7.7 points per game, and two of the three victories have come on the road. Counting Saturday's matchup, six of the eight meetings have been played in the month of October.
UTSA/Rice Series History
Date - Location - Result
10/13/12 - Houston - L, 14-34
10/12/13 - San Antonio - L, 21-27
11/8/14 - Houston - L, 7-17
11/21/15 - San Antonio - W, 34-24
10/15/16 - Houston - W, 14-13
10/21/17 - San Antonio - W, 20-7
10/6/18 - Houston - W, 20-3
UTSA in Homecoming games
The Roadrunners are looking to push above the .500 mark in Homecoming games when they host Rice on Saturday evening at the Alamodome. UTSA is 4-4 all-time in Homecoming contests, including a 20-7 triumph over the Owls two years ago.
UTSA's All-Time Homecoming Games
Date - Opponent - Result
9/24/11 - Bacone College - W, 54-7
10/20/12 - San Jose State - L, 24-52
10/26/13 - UAB - W, 52-31
10/11/14 - FIU - W, 16-13
11/7/15 - Old Dominion - L, 31-36
10/22/16 - UTEP - L, 49-52 (5OT)
10/21/17 - Rice - W, 20-7
10/13/18 - Louisiana Tech - L, 3-31
Staying close to home
UTSA's 2019 schedule will keep them close to home, as the first eight games on the slate all will be played in the state of Texas. The Roadrunners will not leave the Lone Star State until Nov. 9 when they travel to Norfolk, Va., to face Old Dominion, and the only other regular season contest outside the state borders will be against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 30 in Ruston.
Ground attack
UTSA has used a potent ground attack to power its offense this season. The Roadrunners have piled up 1,112 yards through the first six games, an average of 185.3 per contest, which ranks fifth in Conference USA and 48th nationally. UTSA already has recorded two of the top eight team rushing yardage totals in program history this season, as the Roadrunners gained 320 (No. 3) in the 26-16 win over UTEP on Oct. 5 and tallied 284 (No. 8) in the 35-7 triumph over UIW on Aug. 31. UTSA has registered three individual 100-yard rushing performances this fall, two by quarterbacks. In the season opener versus UIW, sophomore signal caller Frank Harris set a program record for rushing yards by a QB with 123 on 15 carries. A pair of Roadrunners topped the century mark in the victory at UTEP, as freshman tailback Sincere McCormick gashed the Miners for a school-record 189 yards on 22 totes and sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse carried 19 times for 115 yards. McCormick leads the team with 473 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Narcisse has tallied 326 yards and three scores on the ground.
Sincere success
UTSA tailback Sincere McCormick has enjoyed a successful start to his collegiate career, recently breaking the program's single-game rushing yardage record in the 26-16 victory at UTEP on Oct. 5. A product of Converse Judson High School, he gained 189 yards on 22 carries to eclipse Jarveon Williams' — also a former Judson Rocket — previous school standard of 186 set in 2015 versus Charlotte and he was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for his record-setting performance. Through six games, McCormick has rushed 83 times for 473 yards and five touchdowns and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry, which ranks third in C-USA and 44th nationally. He is averaging 78.8 rushing yards per contest, good for sixth overall in the league and first among freshmen. In fact, McCormick stands third in rushing yards per game and fourth in total rushing yards among all FBS freshmen. As the first true freshman to start at tailback in a season opener since the inaugural game in 2011, McCormick gained 74 yards on 12 totes with a long of 47 in the 35-7 victory over UIW. He followed that performance with 87 yards and two scores on 12 rushes, including a season-long 54-yard TD scamper, against Baylor. McCormick, who rushed for 3,407 yards and 43 touchdowns during his prep career, posted 53 total yards and scored his third rushing TD of the season versus Army and he added 62 rushing yards on 16 carries against North Texas before his record-setting night in El Paso. McCormick's 51-yard TD dash in the fourth quarter helped seal that win, as UTSA improved to a perfect 4-0 against the Miners at the Sun Bowl.
Sophomore signal caller steps up
Sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse has stepped up in his role as UTSA's new starter after an injury to Frank Harris on the second snap of the North Texas game on Sept. 21. The 6-3, 230-pound lefthander has rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 273 yards and a TD this fall. He saw limited action in the first three games but did score his first touchdown in a UTSA uniform on a 2-yard keeper against Army. A native of St. James, La., Narcisse entered the North Texas contest off the bench and carried the ball 15 times for 98 yards and completed 16 passes for 124 yards. In his first start as a Roadrunner, he rushed for 115 yards and a TD on 19 attempts to become the second QB this season and third in UTSA history to top the century mark on the ground. He also provided a highlight-reel play in the third quarter of that contest when he scrambled to his left and tiptoed near the sideline before tossing an off-balance throw to Blaze Moorhead for an 18-yard scoring connection. He added a game-high 86 rushing yards and his third TD of the season in the UAB contest and now has gained 299 yards on the ground in the last three contests (99.7 avg.). With at least six games left on the fall slate, he is 219 yards shy of UTSA's single-season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 545 set by Dalton Sturm in 2017. Narcisse, who redshirted in 2017 at LSU before transferring to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2018 season, was a four-star recruit and rated as the fifth-best dual-threat QB in the nation as a prep senior in 2016.
Experience up front
UTSA boasts one of the most-experienced offensive lines in the nation entering the 2019 campaign. The Roadrunners returned a combined 46 starts from the 2018 season, which ranked 14th among FBS teams going into this fall. Three of the returnees started all 12 contests last fall: Kevin Davis at center, preseason all-conference selection Josh Dunlop at right guard and right tackle and Trevion Shannon at left tackle. Additionally, 2018 Conference USA All-Freshman Team honoree Spencer Burford made starts at left guard in all 10 games he was cleared to play, while Jalyn Galmore drew the starting assignment at right tackle in the first five contests before suffering a season-ending injury. Jacob Graner also is back after starting three games at guard. The experience up front is part of nine total offensive starters back this fall, which is tied for fourth among all FBS teams.
Creating havoc
The UTSA defense has become known for its attacking style during the Frank Wilson era, as the Roadrunners have posted a combined 268 tackles for loss, 84 sacks and 101 quarterback hurries in three-plus seasons. In surrendering just 209 yards of offense in the season-opening win against UIW, the Roadrunners recorded seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage — including four sacks — and pressured the quarterback seven times. UTSA tallied five stops for loss, including a sack by Rashad Wisdom, against Baylor and totaled five TFLs and a pair of sacks, to go along with three forced fumbles — two of which were recovered — against the run-happy Army offense. Seven different players had a hand in a stop behind the line against North Texas and UTSA registered a season-high nine tackles for loss — including a season-best-tying four sacks — in the 26-16 triumph over UTEP. The Roadrunners added seven stops behind the line against UAB and now are averaging 6.7 tackles for loss and 1.8 sacks per game this season, marks that rank fourth and eighth, respectively, in the conference.
No-fly zone
The Roadrunners have emerged as one of the top defenses in the nation when it comes to fewest passing yards allowed. UTSA ranks third in Conference USA and 16th among all FBS teams in passing yards allowed per game. Through six games, the Roadrunners have surrendered a total of 1,063 yards through the air, an average of 177.2 yards per contest. UTSA limited the high-flying UIW passing attack to 181 yards through the air and followed that effort by holding Baylor to 178 passing yards. Run-happy Army completed only two passes for 18 yards — a school record for fewest passing yards allowed in a game — before North Texas posted 211. On Oct. 5, UTEP did not complete a pass until the final minute of the first half and managed just 181 passing yards for the game, while UAB tallied 294 in UTSA's last outing. This year's defense has its sights set on the program record for fewest passing yards allowed per game of 160.1 set in 2017.
Veteran defensive line boasts depth, experience
Much like the offensive side of the ball, big men lead the defense. UTSA welcomed back this season 11 defensive linemen who have seen previous action for the Roadrunners. Leading the way and now owning 32 starts in 39 games played is senior defensive tackle Baylen Baker. Fellow senior Jarrod Carter-McLin, who boasts 41 career appearances, started all 12 contests at defensive end last fall and has drawn the start in five of the first six games this season. The senior duo of end Eric Banks and tackle King Newton has played in 42 and 36 career games, respectively, giving that senior quartet a combined 158 games of experience.
D-line depth on display
UTSA has used a heavy rotation on the defensive line this season, playing as many as three players at each position. That strategy keeps the unit fresh and spreads the wealth of stats among a dozen players. Of the 40 tackles for loss and 11 sacks recorded by the Roadrunners so far this season, the defensive line has been responsible for 23 TFLs and eight sacks. Leading the way is senior defensive end Jarrod Carter-McLin, who owns 19 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks to go along with one interception and a forced fumble. Meanwhile, the junior DE duo of Lorenzo Dantzler and DeQuarius Henry is right on his heels with four and three TFLs, respectively, and a pair of sacks apiece.
Banks blossoms into d-line role
It is sometimes tough to imagine that UTSA senior defensive end Eric Banks played quarterback in high school, but the Memphis, Tenn., native literally has grown into his role as one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the league. Listed at 230 pounds as a true freshman in 2016, the 6-5 former two-sport East High School star now weighs 270. With UTSA utilizing a three-man rotation this season at the end position, Banks is making the most of his snaps with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, a pair of pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and a forced fumble in the first six games. The most experienced player on the roster in terms of games played with 42, he has totaled 68 tackles, 18.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, five forced fumbles — which ranks fifth in school history — and three PBUs during his career.
Martel makes most of position switch
UTSA senior Andrew Martel spent his first three seasons as a safety and special teams standout for the Roadrunners. Prior to spring practice this year, he made the move to linebacker to help fill a void left by departed 2018 starters Josiah Tauaefa and Les Maruo. The Richmond, Texas, native has flourished in his new role this season, as he leads the team in total tackles with 42 and solo stops with 26. After registering four tackles in each of the first two contests, he posted 10 in back-to-back outings. His 10 tackles against Army included eight solo stops and he added seven unassisted tackles at North Texas. Making the move from "Will" to "Mike" linebacker during the first off week for the Roadrunners, he picked up where left off by recording seven tackles and a PBU in the 26-16 victory at UTEP, and he added seven more stops in the UAB contest. The Foster High School product owns three career double-digit tackle outings counting the career-high 14-tackle effort he turned in at Southern Miss last fall. Also a standout student, Martel earned his bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies in May while graduating with a 3.69 GPA. The four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll member is a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy and a member of the Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch list.
Senior safety a steady hand in secondary
UTSA safety Carl Austin III has proven to be a steady hand in the secondary in his senior season. A native of Austin, he has posted 35 tackles, including 23 solo stops and three tackles for loss, while providing leadership for a unit that ranks third in Conference USA and ranks 16th nationally in passing defense (177.2 ypg). Austin III missed all of the 2018 campaign with an injury but has made an impact during his final curtain call. He led UTSA with nine tackles in the 26-16 win over UTEP and followed that with seven stops, including 1.5 behind the line. Austin III tallied six tackles against both Baylor and North Texas, as he stands second on the squad in both total tackles and solo stops.
Aussie makes immediate impact with leg and arm
UTSA freshman punter Lucas Dean has had an immediate impact in his first six games as a Roadrunner and he recently was added to the Ray Guy Award watch list for his performance. As the program's first player from Australia, the Dunsborough native is averaging 41.5 yards on 28 punts this season. He has boomed six punts that have sailed 50-plus yards, including a season-long 56-yard punt against Baylor, and he has pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line four times and induced 11 fair catches. A product of ProKick Australia, which boasts more than 60 current NCAA Division I punters, Dean — who also serves as the team's holder — enrolled at UTSA in January and earned the punting job in spring practice. Not only has he made an impact with his right leg, but he also showed off a weapon with his right arm in the Army contest, completing a 22-yard pass to Rashad Wisdom on a fake punt to convert a fourth down.
Kickoff coverage unit shines
The Roadrunners' kickoff coverage unit has shined in the first half of the season. UTSA is yielding an average kickoff return of 16.5 yards through the first six games, a figure that leads Conference USA and ranks 15th among all FBS teams. Led by kickoff specialist Matthew Cluck, a graduate transfer from Texas Tech, the Roadrunners have eight touchbacks and have allowed only 10 returns on 23 total kickoffs this fall. The longest return by an opposing team has been 26 yards, which was registered by both UIW and Baylor in the opening two contests. During the last four games, UTSA has seven touchbacks and has surrendered a total of 44 yards on four kickoff returns for an average of 11.0 yards, and the longest return has been a mere 12 yards by both UTEP and UAB.
New birds
In the season opener against UIW, 25 players made their UTSA debut and eight players drew their first starting assignment as a Roadrunner. Sophomore quarterback Frank Harris set a school record by completing his first 13 pass attempts in his debut, while Sincere McCormick became the first true freshman to start at tailback in a season opener since the inaugural game on Sept. 3, 2011. Tight ends Carlos Strickland II and Leroy Watson and center Ahofitu Maka also drew their first starts in a UTSA uniform on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, senior linebacker LaDarian McFarland, junior safety SaVion Harris and true freshman Rashad Wisdom all made their first starts, while senior Andrew Martel started his first game as a linebacker after previously making two starts in the secondary during his career. In the road opener at Baylor, freshman wide receiver De'Corian Clark, junior safety Antonio Parks and junior linebacker Dominic Sheppard all made their UTSA debut, while freshman Joshua Cephus drew his first starting assignment at wide receiver. In the 26-16 triumph over UTEP, sophomore quarterback Lowell Narcisse and sophomore linebacker Trevor Harmanson made their first starts in a UTSA uniform. The Roadrunners now have 28 debuts and 11 first-time starters this season. When including special teams and punter Lucas Dean, four true freshmen have made starts this fall, which is tied for fourth-most among all FBS teams.
Wilson in fourth year at helm
Frank Wilson is in his fourth season as UTSA head coach. The New Orleans native has coached 19 All-Conference USA selections and a pair of Freshman All-Americans during his tenure. Twice he has guided UTSA to bowl eligibility, including leading the program to its first-ever postseason appearance at the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl, as UTSA tied the NCAA modern startup program by reaching a bowl game in its sixth season of play. Wilson came to San Antonio after a six-year stint as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at LSU, where he also was the associate head coach in 2012-15. Armed with more than a decade of coaching experience in the Southeastern Conference, Wilson also has been an assistant coach at Tennessee (2009), Southern Miss (2008) and Mississippi (2005-07). He has coached or recruited more than 40 individuals who have made it to the NFL, including 2018 NFL First Round Draft pick Marcus Davenport of the Saints.
Roadrunners on national award watch lists
Three Roadrunners have earned their way onto national award watch lists. Senior linebacker Andrew Martel was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Martel also is a member of the preseason watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, which is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. Fellow senior Grant Merka, a second-team All-Conference USA pick in 2018, is one of 25 players chosen for the inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award watch list for the nation's top long snapper. Freshman Lucas Dean was added to the Ray Guy Award watch list for the nation's top punter.
Award/Team - Player
Ray Guy Award Watch List - Lucas Dean
William V. Campbell Trophy (semifinalist) - Andrew Martel
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List - Andrew Martel
Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List - Grant Merka
Pair garners preseason all-conference recognition
Seniors Josh Dunlop and Brett Winnegan were named to the Preseason All-Conference USA Team as voted upon by the league's head coaches. Dunlop was chosen as one of five offensive lineman on the squad, while Winnegan received the nod at kickoff returner. A versatile offensive lineman who has logged time at both guard and tackle, the Zionsville, Ind., native has appeared in 28 career games and has drawn 24 starts. Meanwhile, Winnegan holds UTSA career records for kickoff returns (68) and kickoff return yardage (1,515) and he has averaged 22.3 yards per return. The Pearland Dawson High School product, who missed all of the 2018 season due to injury, has appeared in 36 career contests, primarily as a returner and running back before making the move to wide receiver this season.
UTSA picked fifth in C-USA West Division
UTSA was picked to finish fifth in the Conference USA West Division in in a preseason vote conducted by a panel of media members that cover C-USA schools. North Texas was the preseason favorite in the West, while Marshall received the nod for the East Division.
C-USA MEDIA MEMBERS PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
EAST DIVISION
1. Marshall (14)
2. FIU (9)
3. Florida Atlantic (3)
4. Middle Tennessee
5. WKU
6. Old Dominion
7. Charlotte
WEST DIVISION
1. North Texas (20)
2. Southern Miss (4)
3. Louisiana Tech
4. UAB (2)
5. UTSA
6. Rice
7. UTEP
(first place votes in parentheses)
UTSA quartet has NFL ties
Four UTSA players have significant family ties when it comes to relatives who have played in the National Football League. Senior defensive tackle King Newton is the son of Nate Newton, who was a three-time Super Bowl Champion (1992-93, '95) and six-time Pro Bowl offensive guard (1992-96, '98) for the Cowboys. Junior defensive end Solomon Wise is the son of Deatrich Wise, a defensive lineman for the Seahawks and Saints, and his brothers Deatrich Jr. (Patriots) and Daniel (Cowboys) currently play in the NFL. Senior fullback Halen Steward is the younger brother of Tony Steward, a linebacker who logged time for the Bills and Saints, while sophomore cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr.'s father was a defensive lineman for the 49ers, Buccaneers and Jaguars.
Roadrunners roster makeup
UTSA's 112-man roster features 22 seniors, 28 juniors, 28 sophomores and 34 redshirt or true freshmen. The roster lists 76 players who hail from the state of Texas, while the next-closest state is Louisiana with 10. There are six players from Mississippi, four from California and Florida, three from Tennessee and a pair from Indiana. UTSA has one player each from Georgia, Hawai'i, Massachusetts, Michigan and Oklahoma, while freshman punter Lucas Dean is the first Roadrunner from Australia.
Degree in hand
Thirteen current Roadrunners already have earned their undergraduate degree, the 11th-most number of graduates among all FBS rosters. That list includes Carl Austin III, Baylen Baker, Matthew Cluck, Brandon Garza, Nick Locken, Andrew Martel, Grant Merka, Blaze Moorhead, Antonio Parks, Dominic Sheppard, Halen Steward, Carlos Strickland II and Brett Winnegan.
Leadership council elected
For the first time in program history, UTSA has elected a Leadership Council made up of representatives from each position group.
QB — Brandon Garza and Frank Harris
RB — Halen Steward
WR — Kirk Johnson Jr. and Blaze Moorhead
TE — Leroy Watson
OL — Josh Dunlop
DL — Eric Banks and Jarrod Carter-McLin
LB — Andrew Martel
S — Carl Austin III
CB — Clayton Johnson
ST — Hunter Duplessis
TV birds
Eleven of UTSA's 12 regular season games this fall have been selected for broadcast and the Nov. 2 contest at Texas A&M is expected to picked up for television later this year. The Roadrunners, who have seen their last 78 outings appear over the airwaves, likely will make it 85 straight televised/streamed appearances by the end of the regular season.
Filling seats
UTSA has made a name for itself by drawing big crowds for home games at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners set an NCAA modern startup program record for inaugural game attendance when 56,743 fans watched a 31-3 victory over Northeastern State on Sept. 3, 2011. UTSA also established a startup standard by averaging 35,521 for home attendance that season. Now in their ninth season, the Roadrunners have drawn more than 1.3 million fans to the Alamodome through 49 home contests. Last fall, UTSA led Conference USA in home attendance with an average of 24,710 and drew 42,071 fans for the home contest against Baylor, marking the largest home crowd in the league last season and the No. 2 all-time home crowd in program history. This season's home opener saw 26,787 fans take in the 35-7 victory over UIW in the Hometown Showdown, while 30,718 fans filed into the Dome for the Sept. 14 contest versus Army. UTSA is averaging 24,411 fans through the first three home games this fall.
Few can call a dome home
The Roadrunners are one of only two FBS teams to play their home games indoors. UTSA, which boasts a 25-25 all-time mark inside the Alamodome, joins Syracuse (Carrier Dome) as the only FBS programs to play in enclosed facilities.
New playing surface unveiled
The Alamodome and UTSA unveiled on Aug. 26 a new playing surface that features the familiar roadrunner logo at midfield and end zones painted in navy blue with UTSA and Roadrunners word marks in the south and north end zones, respectively. The sidelines highlight the UTSA Athletics hashtag (#BirdsUp) and recognize San Antonio as Military City USA. Manufactured by Hellas Construction, the FusionH XP2 Synthetic Turf is composed of 60-ounce monofilament, slit film and thatch (Fusion HXP2 with thatch) with 1.75-inch pile height, SBR infill only and triple-layer backing with an additional k-29 backing.
Up next
UTSA is idle next week before hitting the road to College Station to face Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 2.
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