UTSA Roadrunners (11-1, 7-1) vs. WKU Hilltoppers (8-4, 7-1)
6 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 3
Alamodome | San Antonio, Texas
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: Ticket 760 AM
Opening drive
• UTSA will make its first conference championship game appearance on Friday night.
• The Roadrunners won the C-USA West Division title and will face East Division champion WKU for the second time this season and third time overall, marking the first time they have played the same opponent twice in one year.
• UTSA is 2-1 all-time in games played on a Friday and 3-3 in non-Saturday contests.
• The Roadrunners have won a school-record nine straight home games.
• UTSA is receiving votes this week in both the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.
• Jeff Traylor is 18-6 at the helm of the Roadrunners, the best 24-game start for a UTSA coach.
• UTSA has won 14 of its last 16 contests dating back to last season.
Setting the scene
UTSA will make its first conference championship game appearance when it hosts WKU for the 2021 Ryan Conference USA Championship Game in a nationally televised matchup on Friday, Dec. 3. Kickoff for the second meeting this season between the Roadrunners (11-1, 7-1) and Hilltoppers (8-4, 7-1) is set for 6 p.m. at the Alamodome. UTSA will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season, while WKU enters the contest having won its last seven games since dropping the 52-46 shootout to UTSA on Oct. 9 in Bowling Green, Ky.
Tuning in
Saturday's game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network. Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (reporter) have the call. The contest will air live on Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area, on SiriusXM channel 85 and SiriusXM app channel 85. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (reporter) will call the action. The pregame show will begin at 4 p.m. and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. The radio broadcast also can be heard online at Ticket760.com and via the iHeartRadio and The Varsity Network apps.
Roadrunners claim C-USA West crown
UTSA captured the program's first Conference USA West Division title and earned the right to host the 2021 Ryan Conference USA Championship Game on Friday night with the 34-31 comeback win over UAB on Nov. 20. The Roadrunners unseated the three-time defending division champion Blazers and will be the first team besides UAB to represent the West in the league's title tilt since North Texas in 2017.
Friday night lights
Friday nights in the state of Texas are known for high school football. While college football typically is played on Saturdays, UTSA is no stranger to having a game moved to a weeknight for television. In 2014, the Roadrunners opened the year with a 27-7 victory over Houston on a Friday night broadcast on ESPNU. UTSA also played a pair of Thursday night contests that fall, including a 26-23 setback to Arizona and a 12-10 win against Southern Miss in a CBS Sports Network telecast. UTSA played its 2015 season lid-lifter on a Thursday at Arizona, and then hosted Arizona State in a Friday night showdown on ESPN2 at the Alamodome in 2016. The Roadrunners beat Middle Tennessee 37-35 in another CBSSN broadcast on Friday, Sept, 25, 2020, which is the last time the Roadrunners played a non-Saturday game. In 2012, UTSA was scheduled to open the year on a Thursday versus South Alabama, but that game was postponed to Saturday, Sept. 1, due to Hurricane Isaac. UTSA is 3-3 in regular season games that were not held on a Saturday including 2-1 on Fridays.
Home Sweet Dome
UTSA has won a school-record nine straight home games beginning with last season's 27-26 comeback win over Louisiana Tech on Oct. 24. In fact, the Roadrunners reeled off three straight victories at the Alamodome last year to close out Jeff Traylor's debut campaign and they have come out on top in all six home contests this fall. UTSA is 37-28 all-time in home games, including 11-1 under Traylor.
Record-setting season
Under the direction of second-year head coach Jeff Traylor, UTSA has set several program benchmarks in 2021. UTSA won its first 11 games, a school record for single-season victories and the longest winning streak in program annals. The Roadrunners also came out on top in each of their first seven Conference USA contests, a program record for most league victories in a season and a stretch that pushed their conference winning streak to 10 dating back to the 2020 campaign before the loss to North Texas. UTSA also enjoyed a six-week stretch of being ranked in both the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll, appearing as high as No. 15. The Roadrunners, who have won 14 of their last 16 contests dating back to last season, will make more history with their first C-USA Championship Game appearance on Friday night at the Alamodome. The previous best overall start to a season before the first loss came when the 2012 team started 5-0, while the best start to a conference schedule was 2-0 in 2018.
Roadrunners receiving votes
After being ranked in both the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll for six consecutive weeks, appearing as high as No. 15 (AP), UTSA is receiving votes in both major polls this week. The Roadrunners received 58 votes in the most recent AP poll, second behind Wisconsin among teams receiving votes outside the top 25. UTSA first cracked the AP Top 25 at No. 24 on Oct. 17 before moving up one position after the 45-16 win at Louisiana Tech and then to 16th on Oct. 31 before being ranked 15th for three straight weeks until the loss to North Texas. This marks the 10th consecutive week and 11th time overall UTSA has received votes in the poll. On Sept. 20, 2020, UTSA collected two votes in the AP Top 25, a first for the program. The Roadrunners received 36 votes in this week's USA TODAY Coaches Poll to stand second behind Wisconsin among others receiving votes. UTSA made its first appearance in the coaches poll at No. 25 on Oct. 17 and were ranked as high as 16th on Nov. 7. This marks the 12th straight week the Roadrunners have collected votes in that poll. UTSA also made appearances in the College Football Playoff rankings for three weeks in a row, debuting at No. 23 on Nov. 9 before moving up to 22nd for two straight weeks.
Scouting WKU
The Hilltoppers have won seven straight games since UTSA scored a 52-46 victory on Oct. 9 in Bowling Green, Ky., and will enter Friday's matchup at 8-4 on the season. WKU is averaging 43.2 points and 524.7 yards per game — both league bests — while allowing 27.0 points and 411.3 yards per contest. Bailey Zappe has completed 406 of 581 passes for 4,968 yards and 52 touchdowns against nine interceptions. Jerreth Sterns is the top receiver with 127 catches for 1,539 yards and 12 TDs, while Mitchell Tinsley has 1,126 yards and 10 scores on 71 receptions. Noah Whittington paces the ground game with 452 yards on 90 rushes. Antwon Kincade and DeAngelo Malone lead the defense with 79 tackles apiece, while Malone has a team-best 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Head coach Tyson Helton is 22-15 in his third season at the helm.
Series history
Saturday will mark the second meeting between UTSA and WKU this season and the third overall. The series is tied at 1-1 after the Roadrunners' 52-46 win on Oct. 9 in Bowling Green, Ky. The Hilltoppers scored a 45-7 home victory in the inaugural meeting on Nov. 22, 2014, in Bowling Green, Ky.
Last meeting
Frank Harris threw for a school-record six touchdowns and Clarence Hicks intercepted a pass at the 3-yard line in the final minute, as UTSA held on for a 52-46 win over WKU in Conference USA action last Saturday night at Houchens-Smith Stadium. Harris completed 28 of 38 passes for 347 yards on the night and also caught one TD pass, giving him seven total scores on the night. He found De'Corian Clark seven times for a career-best 160 yards and a program-record three touchdown receptions. UTSA built a 52-43 lead late in the contest but the Hilltoppers cut the deficit to six after Brayden Narveson drilled a 27-yard field goal with 4:22 left to play. WKU then got the ball back with 3:21 left and drove deep inside UTSA territory in the final minute. On third down and goal from the 15, Hicks dropped back into coverage and dove in front of Bailey Zappe's 60th pass attempt of the night, securing the game-sealing interception. Sincere McCormick logged his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and school-record 14th of his career with 120 yards on 23 carries, while Joshua Cephus had eight catches for 83 yards and a TD and Zakhari Franklin hauled in eight passes for 50 yards to help UTSA pile up 564 yards of offense. Meanwhile, Rashad Wisdom led all players with 13 tackles, including 11 solo stops. Dadrian Taylor added eight tackles and Antonio Parks made six to lead the defense.
Who's counting?
Now in their 11th season of play, the Roadrunners will play the 131st game in program history on Friday when they face WKU in the 2021 Ryan Conference USA Championship Game at the Alamodome. UTSA is 63-67 all time and 37-28 at home. By comparison, WKU has been playing football since 1913 and owns an all-time record of 595-416-31.
Last time out
North Texas converted three first-half fumble recoveries into 21 points and rushed for 340 yards in a 45-23 victory over UTSA on a cool and rainy Saturday afternoon at Apogee Stadium. Frank Harris rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown and threw for 59 yards, while Brenden Brady and Sincere McCormick added 71 and 60 yards on the ground, respectively. UNT, which saw Ikaika Ragsdale rush for 142 yards and two touchdowns and DeAndre Torrey go for 108 and three scores, used the three first-half takeaways to build a 31-13 halftime lead. Hunter Duplessis made three field goals for the second straight game and fourth time overall this season.
Celebrating 10th anniversary
This fall, UTSA is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its inaugural 2011 season. The Roadrunners started their football program from scratch and, following a practice year in 2010, played their first season as an FCS Independent in 2011 before joining the Western Athletic Conference for the 2012 campaign. UTSA moved into its current league home — Conference USA — in 2013 and became a full-fledged FBS member starting with the 2014 season. The Roadrunners set NCAA modern startup program records in 2011 by drawing 56,743 fans to their inaugural game against Northeastern State and by averaging 35,521 fans for their six home contests that season. UTSA made its first postseason appearance at the 2016 New Mexico Bowl in its sixth season of play and registered its first win against a team from a Power 5 conference the following season with a 17-10 victory over Baylor. UTSA now has posted at least six wins in six of the 11 seasons in program history and it has reached the seven-win plateau four times, including in both years of the Jeff Traylor era. This year's squad has surpassed the 2012 team that went 8-4 by winning a program-record 11 games, while the Roadrunners finished with seven victories in 2013 and 2020.
Traylor off to resounding start at UTSA
Second-year UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor, a member of the Paul "Bear" Bryant Awards Coach of the Year watch list, made history in several ways in his first season at the helm in 2020. He has guided the Roadrunners to an 11-1 record, the Conference USA West Division title with a 7-1 league mark and six consecutive weeks in the top 25 during his second campaign. The Roadrunners opened the season with the program's second triumph over a team from a Power Five conference in the 37-30 road win over Illinois and then posted a 54-0 rout of Lamar, the program's first shutout and largest margin of victory. He became the first coach in program history to post back-to-back 3-0 starts after the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee on Sept. 18. One week later, Traylor guided the Roadrunners to the largest comeback win in school history, as UTSA overcame a 21-0 deficit for a 31-28 road triumph over Memphis. UTSA matched the best start in program history by running their record to 5-0 following the 24-17 win against UNLV and then improved to 6-0 for the first time in school annals following the 52-46 road win over WKU. The Roadrunners logged their second shutout of the season with the 45-0 rout of Rice before winning for the first time in Ruston with a 45-16 triumph over Louisiana Tech. UTSA broke the school record for wins in a season following the 44-23 road win over UTEP before back-to-back home victories over Southern Miss and UAB made it 11 straight wins to start the season. Last fall, Traylor became the first head coach in program annals to win his first three games and to notch seven victories in his debut season. He boasts more than 30 years of coaching experience, including a highly successful 15-year career as head coach at Gilmer High School, where he led his hometown Buckeyes to three state championships and two state runner-up finishes and posted a 175-26 (.871) record. Named the third head coach in UTSA history on Dec. 9, 2019, Traylor previously was the associate head coach and running backs coach at Arkansas (2018-19) and SMU (2017) after two seasons at Texas serving as associate head coach for the offense and receivers coach in 2016 and special teams coordinator and tight ends coach in 2015. On Oct. 31, Traylor agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in San Antonio through 2031.
Backfield pair named national award semifinalists
UTSA quarterback Frank Harris and running back Sincere McCormick were chosen as two of 16 semifinalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top offensive player in college football with ties to the state of Texas. It marks the second straight year McCormick has made this semifinalist list, as he was one of five finalists a year ago. McCormick also was one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award for the second consecutive season, while Harris was a Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist for the first time in his career.
Burford, Woolen invited to postseason all-star games
UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford and cornerback Tariq Woolen each received invitations to play in three postseason all-star games. The two players have accepted invitations to the Reese's Senior Bowl, and both also were invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
UTSA collects C-USA weekly awards
UTSA has earned a combined nine Conference USA weekly awards this season. Hunter Duplessis leads the way as a three-time C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week honoree, while Frank Harris and Clarence Hicks have been named the league's offensive and defensive player of the week twice, respectively. Additionally, Trumane Bell II picked up C-USA Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Sept. 20 and Sheldon Jones earned the special teams award one week prior.
UTSA's C-USA Player of the Week Honorees
Offense
10/11 Frank Harris
11/22 Frank Harris
Defense
9/20 Trumane Bell II
9/27 Clarence Hicks
11/22 Clarence Hicks
Special Teams
9/6 Hunter Duplessis
9/13 Sheldon Jones
9/27 Hunter Duplessis
11/22 Hunter Duplessis
High-scoring Roadrunners
UTSA has emerged as one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation this season, ranking second in Conference USA and 14th in the FBS at 36.9 points per game. The Roadrunners have topped the 30-point barrier in eight games and have surpassed 50 points twice this fall, including in the 52-46 shootout win at WKU on Oct. 9. UTSA ended up scoring 40-plus points in a four-game stretch — a program record — and is averaging 38.6 points over the last seven contests. With 443 points scored through 12 games, the Roadrunners have shattered the program's single-season record of 379 points scored in 13 contests in 2016, and they have their sights set on taking down the points-per-game standard of 31.2 established in 12 games in 2012.
Scoring in unconventional ways
While UTSA might be averaging 36.9 points per game, not all of the scoring has come from the offense. The Roadrunners have found ways to reach the end zone in the other two phases of the game, as well. UTSA ranks third in the FBS behind Nevada and Ohio State with five defensive touchdowns — three interception returns and a pair of fumble returns — to go along with one special teams TD this year. The Roadrunners are one of 11 FBS teams to have scored in all three phases in a single game this season, doing so in the 54-0 shutout of Lamar on Sept. 11. Additionally, UTSA has broken the school record with three interception return touchdowns this season, all of which occurred in back-to-back games in October.
Limiting penalties
UTSA ranks as one of the least-penalized teams in the nation through 12 games this season. The Roadrunners have committed only 54 penalties for 548 yards, league-best figures that stand 12th and 34th nationally, respectively. UTSA's averages of 4.5 penalties and 45.67 penalty yards per game also lead Conference USA and rank 12th and 35th, respectively, among FBS teams. The program record for fewest penalties committed in a season is 63 set in 10 games in 2011.
Offense doing damage via air and ground
Under the direction of second-year offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., the Roadrunners have featured an offensive attack that can do damage on the ground and through the air. UTSA opened the 2021 season by piling up 497 yards of offense with 280 passing and 217 rushing in the 37-30 road win over Illinois. In the 54-0 rout of Lamar, a trio of quarterbacks combined to attempt 32 passes, completing 26 for 321 yards, while the Roadrunners rushed 29 times for 106 yards. In the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee, UTSA piled up 277 passing yards on 26-of-45 passing while running 44 times for 175 yards before posting 205 rushing and 194 passing in the 31-28 comeback win at Memphis. The Roadrunners threw for 278 yards and ran for 104 in the 24-17 victory over UNLV and then logged their top offensive yardage total of the season with 564, including a season-high 372 passing yards, in the 52-46 win at WKU. UTSA rushed for 261 as part of a 403-yard output in the 45-0 shutout of Rice on Oct. 16. The Roadrunners unleashed a balanced attack in road wins over Louisiana Tech and UTEP, running for 213 yards and throwing for 193 against the Bulldogs and then tallying a season-high 276 rushing yards and 286 passing yards for a total of 562 versus the Miners. On the season, UTSA is averaging 254.5 passing yards and 179.0 rushing yards (2nd/C-USA) per outing to rank fourth in the league in total offense (433.5 ypg).
Sincere success
After enjoying one of the most heralded seasons in program history in 2020, UTSA running back Sincere McCormick is continuing that success in his third year. The Converse Judson High School product started the season off on the right foot by piling up 117 yards on 31 carries in the 37-30 road win over Illinois on Sept. 4. He followed that outing with a two-touchdown performance in the 54-0 rout of Lamar, moving him atop the program's career rushing TD chart. He posted 105 yards on 23 carries in the 27-13 triumph over Middle Tennessee before breaking his own school record with 41 carries for 184 yards and three TDs in the 31-28 comeback win at Memphis, earning him Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week accolades. He rushed for 120 on 23 carries in the 52-46 win at WKU and gashed Rice for 117 yards on 13 totes, including a career-long 81-yard sprint, before posting 113 yards and three scores on 23 rushes in the 45-16 win at Louisiana Tech. McCormick went for 169 yards on 21 carries, including a 75-yard TD dash on the second play from scrimmage, in the 44-23 road win over UTEP for his school record-tying seventh 100-yard game of the season and UTSA-best 17th of his career. He has topped the 1,000-yard barrier for the second straight season, as he now has 1,275 yards (8th/FBS) and 12 scores on 262 rushes this fall. A preseason All-American by five national publications (Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Sporting News, USA TODAY and Walter Camp), he has been pegged as the C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and the Best Running Back in the state of Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football. A semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards for the second straight season, he earned a long list of accolades in 2020 including being named a second-team All-American by both the Football Writers Association of America and Phil Steele. He was one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the Dave Campbell's Texas Football Texas College Player of the Year and an All-Texas College First Team selection, as well as the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference performer after rushing for a school-record 1,467 yards and 11 touchdowns on 249 carries.
Rewriting the record book
With just 35 games as a Roadrunner to his name, Sincere McCormick has rewritten the program's record book. UTSA's career rushing leader with 3,725 yards, he currently ranks second among active FBS players in rushes (19.66), fourth in rushing yards per game (106.4) and fifth in rushing yards. He owns the best averages for rushing yards per attempt (5.4) and game in program annals. His 17 career 100-yard rushing games and 120.0 all-purpose yards per outing also stand at the top of the program's career chart. McCormick eclipsed David Glasco's UTSA standard of 20 career rushing TDs with two scores in the 54-0 rout of Lamar on Sept. 11, and he now has 31. He raced past Jarveon Williams' career rushing attempts mark of 474 earlier this season and now has 688 carries. He also is the program's all-time leader in points scored by a non-kicker with 192. Last fall, he smashed the school's single-season standards with 1,467 rushing yards, 11 rushing TDs and 249 carries. The 2020 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year also set single-season marks with seven 100-yard rushing games — which he has tied this fall — and 133.4 rushing yards per contest, and he shattered his own all-purpose mark with 1,598 yards.
Sincere McCormick's UTSA Records
Game
251 rushing yards (vs. North Texas, 11/28/20)
3 rushing TDs (3x, last at Louisiana Tech, 10/23/21)
41 rushes (vs. Memphis, 9/25/21)
Season
1,467 rushing yards (2020)
12 rushing touchdowns (2021)
262 rushes (2021)
133.4 rushing yards/game (2020)
7 100-yard rushing games (2020, 2021)
1,598 all-purpose yards (2020)
145.3 all-purpose yards/game (2020)
Career
3,725 rushing yards
31 rushing touchdowns
32 total touchdowns
192 points (non-kicker)
688 rushes
5.4 yards/rush
106.4 rushing yards/game
17 100-yard rushing games
4,199 all-purpose yards
120.0 all-purpose yards/game
QB room loaded with experience
UTSA is in rare company when it comes to the experience found in the quarterback room. The Roadrunners were one of only 15 teams with three or more QBs who had an FBS start entering the season. Frank Harris has started 26 games under center during his UTSA career and owns a 19-7 record, while Josh Adkins made 20 starts at New Mexico State before transferring to UTSA prior to a 2020 campaign that saw him make one start for the Roadrunners. Lowell Narcisse has earned the starting nod in eight contests over the last three seasons as a Roadrunner.
Overcoming adversity
Frank Harris has overcome a series of challenging setbacks due to injury over the past half-decade to emerge as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. A semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards, the lefthander has battled back from two knee injuries, including one that knocked him out for the entire 2018 season, and a shoulder injury that ended his 2019 campaign after four games to appear in 27 contests with 26 starts (19-7 record). He opened this season by throwing for 280 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-32 passing, and he also ran for 33 yards and a TD to help UTSA score a 37-30 road victory over Illinois. He passed for 264 yards and a pair of scores and added 56 rushing yards in the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee and completed 80% (24-30) of his passes for 278 yards and two TDs in the 24-17 win over UNLV. Harris turned in arguably his top performance as a Roadrunner in the 52-46 win at WKU, completing 28 of 38 passes for a career-best 349 yards and school-record six touchdowns to earn Manning Award QB of the Week and C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors. He rushed for 51 yards, giving him the single-game total offense program mark of 400, and he also caught a 23-yard TD pass and forced a fumble on his only interception of the night against the Hilltoppers. The Schertz Clemens High School product accounted for 362 yards and four scores in the 44-23 road triumph over UTEP, completing 22 of 34 passes for 286 yards and 2 TDs and rushing for 76 yards and 2 scores. He logged his second 300-yard game of the year with 323 and three TDs on 25-of-36 passing in the 34-31 win over UAB, earning player of the week plaudits from both the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and C-USA. He now has completed 222 of 334 passes for 2,693 yards and a school-record 23 touchdowns this fall, and 447 of 675 passes for 4,809 yards and 38 touchdowns as a Roadrunner. He currently owns UTSA career records for completion percentage (.662) and passing efficiency (140.8), while he ranks third in passing yards and TDs.
Targeting this trio
Joshua Cephus, De'Corian Clark and Zakhari Franklin have teamed up to give UTSA a formidable receiving trio this season, combining for 2,253 yards and 21 touchdowns on 175 receptions through 12 games. Despite missing the UNLV game, Franklin paces the squad with 871 receiving yards and 10 TDs on 67 receptions, all school records. Cephus is one catch behind Franklin for the program standard in receptions (66) and has 758 yards and six TDs. Clark — whose nickname "J.T." is short for his middle name, John Thomas — exploded onto the scene in the month of October with 19 of his 42 receptions, 304 of his 624 yards and four of his five scores, and he recently logged his third 100-yard game of the year with 104 on six catches in the win over UAB. The trio's individual yardage totals this year all currently stand in the program's top six seasons of all-time, with Franklin and Cephus ranking 1-2 and Clark in sixth. Franklin, a Cedar Hill High School product, has become the program's all-time receiving yardage (2,061), receptions (154) and receiving TDs (20) leader, doing so in just 30 career contests. Cephus, a Houston native, now ranks second on the program's career list with 132 catches and fourth with 1,458 yards. All three receivers were part of UTSA's 2019 signing class and have seen action in each of the past three seasons.
Making his mark
UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin is making his mark as one of Conference USA's top pass-catchers. The third-year wide receiver has registered four 100-yard performances this season and nine for his career, both school records. He opened the 2021 campaign by catching 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown in the 37-30 road victory over Illinois and then surpassed the century mark again with 114 yards and a score on eight catches in the 27-13 win versus Middle Tennessee. The Cedar Hill native topped 100 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns in back-to-back outings, going for 118 yards on five catches in the 45-16 road triumph over Louisiana Tech before catching 10 balls for 114 yards in the 44-23 win at UTEP. He caught six passes for 97 yards and two TDs in the win over UAB. Franklin leads the Roadrunners with 871 receiving yards and 10 TDs on 67 catches, all school records. He ranks second in C-USA and 15th nationally in receiving touchdowns and is in the top six in the league in receptions and yards per contest.
Experience up front
UTSA boasts one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country, as the unit now has a combined 181 starts among its roster. Leading the way is the senior trio of Spencer Burford, Kevin Davis and Ahofitu Maka with a combined 115 starts during their UTSA careers. Burford, a San Antonio Wagner graduate and member of the Outland Trophy watch list, has made 41 starts at both guard and tackle. Maka, a Hawaiian who appears on the watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, has drawn 35 starts with all but one at center. Those two Roadrunners earned second-team All-Conference USA accolades last fall after helping UTSA set school records for rushing yards (2,585), rushing yards per game (215.4), yards per rush (5.21) and rushing touchdowns (24). Davis a native of Angleton, Texas, has earned 39 career starts, including 14 at center. UTSA's line also has shown adaptability and versatility, as the Roadrunners have used six different starting lineups through 12 games, tied for the fourth-most combinations used this season in the FBS.
Defensive prowess
Under the direction of co-defensive coordinators Jess Loepp and Rod Wright, UTSA's defense has emerged as one of the best in Conference USA in several categories. The Roadrunners lead the league by allowing just 22.2 points per game, good for 33rd in the FBS, and they stand second in C-USA and 20th nationally in rushing defense (121.6). UTSA has dialed up the pressure throughout the year with 80 tackles for loss, second in the conference, and a program-record 29 sacks. In the home opener on Sept. 11, the Roadrunners posted the first shutout in school history in a 54-0 rout of Lamar. UTSA allowed just 122 yards of offense — then a school record — and held the Cardinals to 89 rushing yards and only 33 passing yards. For an encore, the Roadrunners limited Middle Tennessee to 199 yards, including just eight on the ground, which is tied for the third-fewest rushing yards allowed in a game in program annals and the 18th-best performance in the FBS this fall. The Roadrunners surrendered 78 rushing yards in the comeback win at Memphis and yielded only 35 in the 24-17 victory over UNLV, capping a four-game stretch that saw them allow just 210 rushing yards combined. UTSA held Rice to 102 total yards to better the program standard for fewest yards allowed in a game, and they limited the Owls to only 36 yards through the air. In fact, the Roadrunners are one of only three FBS teams to hold two opponents — Rice and Lamar — to fewer than 40 passing yards in a game this season. UTSA yielded only 62 rushing yards to Louisiana Tech, the sixth opponent to gain fewer than 100 yards on the ground this fall. In the win over Southern Miss, UTSA surrendered only 189 total yards — the fourth opponent this season held below 200 — and gave up only 52 passing yards, the third time holding a foe to fewer than 60 yards through the air in 2021.
Creating turnovers
The Roadrunners have displayed a knack for creating turnovers during the Jeff Traylor era. Through the first 12 games this season, UTSA has tallied 22 takeaways, the 15th-best total among FBS teams. The Roadrunners boast a near-even split with 12 fumbles recovered (5th/FBS) and 10 interceptions in 2021. Lorenzo Dantzler is tied for third among FBS players with three fumble recoveries this fall, while Kelechi Nwachuku and Charles Wiley have two apiece (19th/FBS). Caleb Cantrell, Denzel Feaster, Brandon Matterson, Lamonte McDougle and Jahmal Sam all have one recovery each. Corey Mayfield Jr. paces the Roadrunners with two interceptions while Trevor Harmanson, Clarence Hicks, Jamal Ligon, Antonio Parks, Jarrett Preston, Jahmal Sam, Dadrian Taylor and Tariq Woolen have one pick apiece. Last season, UTSA forced 19 turnovers to lead C-USA and rank 19th in the country. Eleven of those takeaways came via an interception, good for first in the league and 23rd nationally, while the Roadrunners' eight recoveries ended up 25th among FBS teams.
A disruptive force
Outside linebacker Clarence Hicks has developed into a disruptive force on the edge for UTSA this season. The super senior has registered 31 tackles and is flirting with a pair of program records, as he has 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks through 12 contests. He is just a half-sack shy of the program standard of 8.5 shared by Marcus Davenport and Jason Neill, while he is within range of Davenport's TFL mark of 17.5. Hicks, who leads C-USA and ranks 31st in the FBS with 0.67 sacks per game, also owns four quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumble this fall. A native of Pensacola, Fla., he opened the campaign with three stops, including a TFL, in the 37-30 road victory over Illinois. He notched four tackles, including a sack for a 5-yard loss in the win against Middle Tennessee before turning in arguably his top game as a Roadrunner in the comeback win at Memphis with six tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage and a pair of sacks. His strip sack in the fourth quarter led to a 12-yard fumble return by Lorenzo Dantzler that set up the game-tying score, and he was named Conference USA co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Tigers. Hicks was part of a key sack in the 24-17 win over UNLV, combining with DeQuarius Henry to drop the Rebels quarterback on fourth down in the final minute to seal the win. He made yet another key play in the final minute of a game, picking off WKU's Bailey Zappe inside the UTSA 5-yard line to secure a 52-46 victory. Hicks recorded 2.5 sacks and a pair of pressures in the 45-16 win at Louisiana Tech and he collected C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honors for a second time after posting three TFLs and two sacks in the 34-31 win over UAB. For his UTSA career, he has tallied 102 tackles, 28.5 TFL to rank second in program history, 10 sacks, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a pair of INTs.
A wily veteran
UTSA outside linebacker Charles Wiley has emerged as one of the leaders on the defensive side of the ball. The super senior has registered 31 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, as well as five quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. He had three stops and returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown in UTSA's 54-0 rout of Lamar before registering five tackles, including 1.5 sacks for a total of 12 yards, and a pair of pressures in the 27-13 victory against Middle Tennessee. He posted three tackles, including a half-tackle for loss, in the 24-17 win over UNLV and then tallied five stops and a PBU versus WKU and a sack for a 22-yard loss in the 45-0 shutout of Rice. He recovered his second fumble of the fall in the 27-17 win over Southern Miss and now ranks 19th among FBS players in that category. A native of Stockbridge Ga., who transferred from Ole Miss in 2020, Wiley has piled up 131 tackles, including 30 behind the line of scrimmage, during his collegiate career with 74 stops, 18 TFL and 4.5 sacks coming in his two seasons at UTSA.
Wisdom in the secondary
UTSA safety Rashad Wisdom has emerged as one of the team leaders during his two-plus years on campus. One of seven current Roadrunners who starred at Converse Judson High School, he has played in 36 games and drawn 34 starts at safety during his career. He landed on preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik and Jim Thorpe Awards after a sensational sophomore season that saw him earn first-team all-conference and Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College honors. Wisdom paced the Roadrunners and ranked second in C-USA with 95 tackles and he picked off a league-high four passes, which tied the program's single-season record. He also recorded a team-best 60 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pass breakup in 2020 and he returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown for his second career pick-six, which is tied atop the program's all-time list, in the 51-48 double-overtime victory against Texas State last September. He started off his third year as a Roadrunner by making three tackles, forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass in UTSA's 37-30 season-opening victory over Illinois. He paced the defense with six stops in the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee and then tallied five tackles, including one behind the line, and a PBU in the 31-28 comeback win over Memphis. Wisdom logged a career high-tying 13 tackles, including matching the UTSA record with 11 solo stops, in the road win over WKU. He also made double-digit tackles with 10 in the 44-23 road triumph over UTEP and again in the 34-31 home triumph over UAB. He paces the defense with 79 total tackles and 59 solo stops to go along with six PBUs, one hurry and a forced fumble this season. Wisdom's family has captured the hearts of the UTSA football program and the San Antonio community over the past two years by sharing the story of Rashad's younger brother, Bryce, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and passed away at the age of 17 in July 2020.
Riq the Freak
Tariq Woolen's development into one of UTSA's starting cornerbacks is unique. The Fort Worth native, whose nickname is Riq, started his college career as a wide receiver, catching 24 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown over his first two seasons. Late in his redshirt sophomore campaign, Woolen made the switch to the defensive side of the ball and posted a pair of tackles as a cornerback in the season finale against Louisiana Tech. Prior to the 2020 campaign, Woolen decided to make the position change permanent. That decision paid off as he emerged as one of the team's top defensive backs with 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and an interception last fall. Earlier this year, he made Bruce Feldman's annual Freaks List, landing at the No. 6 spot out of 101 college football players after turning in eye-opening numbers during summer strength and conditioning testing. He leaped 11 feet, five inches in the broad jump and clocked a time of 4.34 seconds in the 40-yard dash, in which he hit 23.33 miles per hour. Woolen started off his senior season with a bang, recording a career-high nine tackles and a pass breakup in the 37-30 road triumph over Illinois. He added his second PBU of the year in the 54-0 shutout of Lamar before posting a TFL and a PBU in the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee and two more stops in the 31-28 comeback win at Memphis. Woolen picked off his second career pass and tallied three tackles in the 24-17 win over UNLV and then registered three tackles in the win at WKU. He has 23 tackles, three PBUs, one interception and a hurry in eight games this season.
Veteran corner provides steady presence
With the most games played (45) and starts (33) among UTSA's cornerbacks, Corey Mayfield Jr. is one of the leaders in the secondary. A product of North Forney High School, Mayfield has appeared in all 12 games and made 11 starts this season. He has posted 30 tackles, including 27 solo stops, three tackles for loss, one sack, a team-high two interceptions and a pair of pass breakups. He picked off his first pass of his fourth campaign to go along with two tackles in the 27-13 win over Middle Tennessee. He made three stops in the comeback win at Memphis and logged a season-best five tackles in the 52-46 road triumph over WKU. Mayfield logged his second interception of the season and fourth of his career when he stepped in front of a pass and returned it 49 yards to the end zone in the 45-0 shutout of Rice. He played a key role in another takeaway in the Southern Miss win, as his strip-sack in the fourth quarter led to Charles Wiley's 8-yard fumble return that set up the final score. The son of former Oklahoma and NFL defensive lineman Corey Mayfield is just outside the UTSA top five in career interceptions and his 17 career passes defended stand one shy of fifth place in program annals.
Tackling machine
UTSA inside linebacker Trevor Harmanson has emerged as one of the team's top tacklers during his time as a Roadrunner. The Dickinson High School product transferred to UTSA in 2019 following one season at Blinn College, and he made an immediate impact with 48 tackles, including 8.5 behind the line of scrimmage, in his debut campaign. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2020, earning honorable mention All-Conference USA accolades after ranking second on the team with 73 tackles, including nine TFL, to go along with seven quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, an interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Harmanson, a preseason all-league pick by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele, opened his 2021 campaign by tying for the team high with nine tackles, which included a team-best seven solo stops, in the 37-30 road win over Illinois. He made a pair of tackles, including being part of a fourth-down stop, in the 27-13 victory over Middle Tennessee before posting four tackles in the 31-28 comeback win at Memphis. Harmanson logged nine stops during a two-game stretch in wins over UNLV and WKU, before recording a sack and returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the 45-0 shutout of Rice. He matched his season with nine stops and forced a fumble that led to the go-ahead score in the 27-17 win over Southern Miss. Harmanson has made 10 tackles over the past two games and ranks second on the team with 55 tackles and 34 solo stops. He has recorded 176 total tackles, 20 TFL, eight QB hurries, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries in 36 games as a Roadrunner.
D-line factory
In its short history, UTSA has made a name for itself by producing defensive linemen who have moved on to the professional ranks. Headlining that list is 2018 NFL first round draft pick Marcus Davenport, the 2017 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a current member of the New Orleans Saints. Several current Roadrunners have their eyes on joining the likes of Davenport, current Tennessee Titans defensive linemen Kevin Strong Jr., Eric Banks, Ashaad Mabry, Jason Neill and Brian Price. Leading the way is super senior Jaylon Haynes, a two-time honorable mention all-conference performer with 25 tackles for loss — fourth on UTSA's career chart — and eight sacks in 49 career games. The Roadrunners' experienced line also includes super senior Lorenzo Dantzler, who earned honorable mention all-league recognition a year ago and boasts 22.5 TFL and 11 sacks in 47 games as a Roadrunner. Brandon Matterson, a fourth-year player from San Antonio Brandeis High School, also made C-USA's honorable mention list in 2020 and he has logged 74 tackles, nine TFL and six QB hurries in 41 career contests.
Dependable Duplessis
UTSA place-kicker Hunter Duplessis has developed into a dependable option with his right leg during his career. A three-time Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week this season, he has made 23 of 28 field goals and 53 extra points — both school records — in 2021. The former walk-on started his super senior season by making all three field-goal attempts and going 4 for 4 on extra points in the 37-30 road win over Illinois. He turned in his second straight three-field-goal game after connecting from 46 yards twice and again from 41 in the 54-0 shutout of Lamar. Duplessis, who landed on the semifinalist list for the William V. Campbell Trophy and was a Burlsworth Trophy nominee for the second straight year, went 2 for 4 on field goals and 3 for 3 on PATs in the win over Middle Tennessee and then made all four PATs and drilled the game-winning 42-yarder as time expired in the 31-28 win over Memphis. He was good on his only try from 35 yards to go along with tying the UTSA record with seven PATs in the 52-46 win at WKU and he drilled all three field goal tries in the road win over UTEP, including a career-long 51-yarder that is tied for the second-longest kick in program history. He matched his career long and also connected from 49 in the 34-31 win over UAB and turned in his fourth three-field-goal game of the season versus North Texas. He now has 49 career field goals to tie Sean Ianno's UTSA record and rank 24th among active FBS players and he has broken program marks with 118 extra points and 265 points scored. He currently leads C-USA with 23 field goals and ranks third in the FBS with 1.92 field goals per game. The San Antonio Cole High School product was a Phil Steele honorable mention All-American, Lou Groza semifinalist and first-team all-conference selection in 2020 after he made 17 of 20 field goals and 40 of 41 PATs. Also an excellent student, he is a two-time first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, the 2020-21 C-USA Football Scholar Athlete of the Year and a C-USA All-Academic Team selection. Duplessis earned his bachelor's degree as a double major in cyber security and information systems, graduating with a 3.78 GPA in August 2020, and he currently carries a 4.0 GPA in technology management as part of an MBA program.
Punter from Down Under
In its short history, UTSA has developed consistent success in the punting game with the likes of Kristian Stern and Yannis Routsas, a 2017 Ray Guy Award semifinalist. Lucas Dean has emerged as the next in that strong punting lineage. A product of Prokick Australia and the first Roadrunner from Down Under, Dean has used an Australian Rules Football background to help provide UTSA with a weapon in the kicking game since his arrival on campus in 2019. As a true freshman, he averaged 40.8 yards on 65 punts and booted 12 of 50-plus yards. Dean provided quite the encore in 2020, shattering UTSA's single-season punting average record with a 46.0 mark to lead Conference USA and rank sixth nationally. A semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award, he was named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year and a second-team All-American by the Sporting News. Dean registered 27 punts that pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line, including 15 inside the 10 and seven inside the 5, and he recorded 21 punts of 50-plus yards during his sophomore season. Dean opened his third year by averaging 44.2 yards on five punts with one inside the 20 and a long of 55 in the 37-30 road victory over Illinois. He averaged 50.8 yards on five punts with three inside the 20 and a long of 63 in the 31-28 win at Memphis and 45.6 yards on five punts with three inside the 20 against Rice. He averaged 47.0 yards on three punts with two inside the 10-yard line, including a 51-yarder that pinned Southern Miss at the 2, before posting a 50.2 mark on four punts that included a school-record 73-yard bomb in the win over UAB. Dean, a preseason second-team All-American by the Sporting News, averaged 51.2 yards on four punts including a 63-yarder that was downed at the North Texas 3-yard line, and he currently averages 45.6 yards per punt with 18 of his 41 kicks inside the 20.
Historic win to open 2021
UTSA's 37-30 road win over Illinois in the season opener marked the program's second victory against a team from a Power Five conference and the first against a Big Ten Conference school. The Roadrunners' first win versus a Power Five program was a 17-10 triumph over Baylor on Sept. 9, 2017, in Waco. UTSA also improved to 9-2 overall in season openers with that victory.
Records fall in home opener
Several program records fell in the 54-0 victory over Lamar in the home opener on Sept. 11. It marked the first shutout in school history, as the previous standard for fewest points allowed was three done three times, the last against Rice in 2018. UTSA also registered the largest margin of victory, nipping the previous mark of 53 set in the 56-3 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State in 2012. The Roadrunners limited Lamar to just 122 yards of offense, eclipsing the previous program record for fewest yards allowed of 149 established against Southern in 2017 but since broken by surrendering only 102 yards to Rice on Oct. 16. UTSA's point total in that win over the Cardinals marked the third most scored in a game.
Overcoming deficits
UTSA's rally from a 21-point deficit in the 31-28 victory over Memphis on Sept. 25 marked the largest comeback win in school history. In 2011, the Roadrunners overcame a 14-0 deficit in a 17-14 overtime win over Georgia State, which stood as the program record until the come-from-behind victory against the Tigers. UTSA has rallied for a win from a 13-point deficit three times, most recently in a 27-26 triumph over Louisiana Tech last October at the Alamodome. Additionally, the Roadrunners trailed Louisiana by a 24-7 count in the third quarter of the 2020 First Responder Bowl before rallying to tie the score at 24-24 in an eventual 31-24 setback last December.
Comeback kings
UTSA has rallied from second-half deficits four times this season, including in two of the last three games. The Roadrunners trailed UAB by four points before Frank Harris' game-winning touchdown pass to Oscar Cardenas lifted UTSA to a 34-31 victory on Nov. 20. The week prior, Southern Miss took a 17-10 advantage early in the third quarter before the Roadrunners closed the game with 17 unanswered points. UTSA overcame a 31-28 deficit at WKU on Oct. 9 for a 52-46 win on the road. The Roadrunners also trailed Memphis 21-0 early, 28-14 late in the third quarter and by seven in the fourth before squeaking out a 31-28 victory on Sept. 25.
Down to the wire
UTSA is no stranger to close contests dating back to last season, as 15 of its last 24 have been one-score ballgames in the fourth quarter. In the season opener, UTSA held off Illinois 37-30 in a game that saw the Illini have a chance to tie things up with two throws into the end zone in the final seconds. The Roadrunners rallied from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit for a 31-28 victory over Memphis, as Hunter Duplessis' 42-yard field goal as time expired sealed the win. UTSA held off UNLV 24-17 on Oct. 2 before securing a 52-46 win at WKU a week later with an interception by Clarence Hicks in the final minute. The Roadrunners broke a 17-17 fourth-quarter deadlock against Southern Miss with two late scores in a 10-point victory before upending UAB 34-31 on a TD pass with three seconds remaining in their last outing. In 2020, UTSA's matchups against Texas State, Stephen F. Austin, Middle Tennessee, UAB, No. 15 BYU, Army, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and No. 16 Louisiana all were one-score games in the final stanza. The Roadrunners posted a 5-4 record in those contests and are 6-0 this season for a combined mark of 11-4.
UTSA pair garners preseason All-America accolades
Sincere McCormick and Lucas Dean both earned spots on preseason All-America squads. McCormick was named a preseason second-team All-America running back by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Sporting News, USA TODAY and Walter Camp, while Dean is a preseason second-team choice at punter by Sporting News.
Nine Roadrunners land on watch lists
An unprecedented nine Roadrunners landed on preseason watch lists for national awards. Leading the way is All-America running back Sincere McCormick, who appeared on four different watch lists, while Hunter Duplessis, Frank Harris and Rashad Wisdom each made a pair of lists.
Roadrunners picked second in C-USA West
UTSA has been picked to finish second in Conference USA's West Division in a vote by media members who cover the league. The Roadrunners received nine first-place votes and have been projected second behind defending conference champion UAB, which collected 15 first-place votes. Louisiana Tech is predicted to finish third in the West Division, followed by Southern Miss, Rice, North Texas and UTEP.
2021 Conference USA Predicted Order of Finish
WEST DIVISION
1. UAB (15)
2. UTSA (9)
3. Louisiana Tech
4. Southern Miss
5. Rice
6. North Texas
7. UTEP
EAST DIVISION
1. Marshall (17)
2. Florida Atlantic (6)
3. WKU (1)
4. Charlotte
5. Middle Tennessee
6. FIU
7. Old Dominion
(first place votes in parentheses)
UTSA duo collects C-USA preseason honors
UTSA punter Lucas Dean was named Conference USA Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year and running back Sincere McCormick was chosen as C-USA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in a vote by the league's head coaches. Both players won their respective conference superlative awards following their sophomore seasons in 2020, marking the first time UTSA picked up two such honors in the same year, while McCormick also was named C-USA Freshman of the Year in 2019.
TV birds
Saturday's C-USA Championship Game against WKU will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network marking 109 straight televised/streamed appearances for the Roadrunners. The last UTSA game that was not broadcast was the 2012 season finale against Texas State.
Brotherly duos
UTSA has two sets of brothers on the 2021 roster in offensive lineman Kevin Davis and wide receiver Isaiah Davis, along with outside linebackers Dadrian and Donyai Taylor.
Dozen Roadrunners back for super senior season
A dozen UTSA football seniors elected to return to the Roadrunners for an extra year of eligibility in 2021, taking advantage of an NCAA blanket waiver for all 2020 fall sports student-athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12 Roadrunners who are back for their super senior season are:
Myles Benning, TE
B.J. Daniels, RB
Lorenzo Dantzler, DL
Hunter Duplessis, PK
Jalyn Galmore, OL
Jaylon Haynes, DL
DeQuarius Henry, OLB
Clarence Hicks, OLB
Antonio Parks, S
Dominic Pastucci, OL
Leroy Watson, TE
Charles Wiley, OLB
A focus on recruiting Texas
UTSA's 115-man roster features 90 players — 78% — who hail from the state of Texas. The next-closest state is Louisiana with seven, while there are five players from Mississippi. California and Florida are considered home for three players apiece and two are from Georgia. UTSA has one player each from Iowa, Hawai'i, Tennessee and Virginia, while Lucas Dean is the first Roadrunner from Australia.
Keeping them home
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor and his staff have placed an emphasis on recruiting the city of San Antonio and surrounding area. The current roster includes 29 players from Greater San Antonio with a team-high seven hailing from perennial power Converse Judson High School.
Player (High School)
Josh Adkins (Smithson Valley)
Rudy Aleman Jr. (Warren)
Brenden Brady (Steele)
Spencer Burford (Wagner)
Oscar Cardenas (Brandeis)
JayVeon Cardwell (Steele)
Cade Collenback (O'Connor)
Hunter Duplessis (Cole)
Frank Harris (Clemens)
Caden Holt (New Braunfels Canyon)
Jaden Jones (East Central)
Ethan Laing (Boerne Champion)
Caleb Lewis (Steele)
De'Anthony Lewis (Judson)
Frankie Martinez (East Central)
Brandon Matterson (Brandeis)
Sincere McCormick (Judson)
Trey Moore (Smithson Valley)
Xavier Player (Steele)
Jalen Rainey (Brandeis)
Jaren Randle (Johnson)
Robert Rigsby (Judson)
Justin Rodriguez (Johnson)
Daniel Santallana (East Central)
Kamron Scott (Judson)
Xavier Spencer (Judson)
Dre Spriggs (Harlan)
Julon Williams (Judson)
Rashad Wisdom (Judson)
UTSA's 210 Triangle of Toughness
UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor has installed many new ideas, including his Culture Pillars: Integrity, Passion, Mental & Physical Toughness, Selfless and Perfect Effort. As part of that new culture, the players voted after fall camp on who would earn single-digit jersey numbers, a reward for representing mental and physical toughness on and off the field. The numbers 2, 1 and 0 — San Antonio's area code — were chosen for the players voted to represent the 210 Brand, the UTSA Triangle of Toughness. Below are the single-digit jersey numbers as voted by their teammates:
0 — Frank Harris, Rashad Wisdom
1 — Jaylon Haynes, Leroy Watson
2 — Joshua Cephus, Charles Wiley
3 — Sincere McCormick, Tariq Woolen
4 — Zakhari Franklin, Antonio Parks
5 — Brenden Brady, Hunter Duplessis
6 — Lorenzo Dantzler
7 — Dadrian Taylor
8 — Josh Adkins, Jamal Ligon
9 — Clarence Hicks
Trevor Harmanson also was voted into the single-digit group but elected to stay in No 15, while offensive linemen Spencer Burford, Makai Hart and Ahofitu Maka also received the necessary votes but cannot change to a single-digit number due to their position.
Leadership Council elected
Prior to the season, UTSA elected a Leadership Council made up of representatives from each position group.
Quarterbacks — Josh Adkins, Frank Harris
Running Backs — Brenden Brady, Sincere McCormick
Wide Receivers — Joshua Cephus
Tight Ends — Leroy Watson
Offensive Line — Spencer Burford, Ahofitu Maka
Defensive Line — Lorenzo Dantzler, Jaylon Haynes
Inside Linebackers — Jamal Ligon
Outside Linebackers (S) — Dadrian Taylor
Outside Linebackers (W) — Charles Wiley
Safeties — Rashad Wisdom
Cornerbacks — Ken Robinson
Special Teams — Myles Benning, Kelechi Nwachuku
Specialists — Hunter Duplessis
Up next
UTSA will await its bowl destination, which is expected to be announced on Sunday, Dec. 5.
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