The UTSA Roadrunner football team will begin its 13th season just as it began its fourth, with a visit to the University of Houston Cougars for the season opener.
That and the color of the uniform will be about the only similarities between this year’s Roadrunners and their predecessors from 2014. This year’s Roadrunners will be playing in a new conference, the American Athletic Conference. The 2023 Roadrunners have also won at least 11 games in each of the last two seasons, leading to high expectations from the community.
“Pressure is a privilege. Expectations are kind of like fire,” UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor said. “If it’s used correctly it can be great, but if the expectations consume you, it can be a bad thing.”
As the expectations for UTSA are leveling up, so is the quality of the competition in its new conference. Joining five other new AAC members, UTSA was picked to finish second in the league, behind Cotton Bowl winner Tulane, in a poll of media members.
The realigned conference now has four teams in Texas with the addition of Rice University and the University of North Texas.
UTSA will be trying for a third straight conference championship after winning Conference USA in its final two seasons as a member.
The jump to the American gives UTSA a big boost in national media exposure and more revenue from broadcast rights. Its new conference is in the midst of a 12-year, $1 billion deal with ESPN that reportedly pays member schools roughly $6 million annually, although as a newcomer to the league UTSA could receive less.
Starting conference slate in Philly
That is just one part of what’s in store for the Roadrunners this season. The Roadrunners’ nonconference schedule includes the I-35 rivalry series against Texas State in the home opener on Sept. 9. The Bobcats are led by Coach G.J. Kinne, in his first year at Texas State after jumping from the University of the Incarnate Word after one season. He played quarterback for Traylor at Gilmer High School.
“I’ll love to comment on GJ Kinne and Texas State after we play Houston,” Traylor said.
The rest of UTSA’s nonconference schedule will include a Friday night home game against Army on Sept. 15 and a visit to SEC power Tennessee on Sept. 23. UTSA’s conference slate will begin Oct. 7 with a trip to Philadelphia to play the Temple Owls.
“I’m excited to go play at Philadelphia,” safety Rashad Wisdom said during AAC media days in July. “I’ve never had a Philly cheesesteak, so I want to try one of those up there.”
UTSA’s American Conference home opener will be Oct. 14 against the UAB Blazers. The Roadrunners’ biggest game of the season might be the regular season finale when they face the defending American champions Tulane in New Orleans on either Nov. 24 or 25. The date of the Thanksgiving weekend game will be announced in mid-October.
Seventh year for Harris
The 2023 Roadrunners will return several key contributors from last season. Quarterback Frank Harris returns for a seventh year at UTSA needing just 644 yards to surpass 10,000 passing yards for his career. Harris, whose longevity with the Roadrunners stems from redshirt years and extended eligibility due to the pandemic, is also 26 passing touchdowns away from becoming the first Roadrunner quarterback to throw for 100 in his career.
“I’m excited for the season,” Harris said. “We get to play some great teams in the country and we are excited for the challenge.”
The Roadrunners will have leading rusher Kevorian Barnes returning this season as part of a deep running back group that includes Rocko Griffin, a transfer from Vanderbilt.
UTSA’s receiving corps will be without last year’s leading receiver Zakhari Franklin, who transferred to Mississippi in the offseason. The remaining two-thirds of last year’s receiving trio will be returning: De’Corian Clark and Joshua Cephus. Clark had his season cut short last year with a knee injury, and Cephus missed the bowl game last season, being suspended after a rollover car crash that resulted in a DWI charge.
“It was a mistake,” Cephus said. “… It showed me some things I needed to learn about myself.”
Tight ends Oscar Cardenas and Dan Dishman return this season, along with a couple of young tight ends who could see an increase in playing time.
Injuries hit UTSA’s offensive line hard last season, but through that several players gained experience at each position on the line. This year’s Roadrunner offensive line is deeper than last year’s thanks in part to the shuffling that had to be done last season.
“I’m excited to get some depth in the room,” UTSA offensive lineman Terrell Haynes said. “It’s important obviously because of how last year went. In the room we have a ‘next man up’ mentality. At the end of the day I have faith in all the guys in the room that they can get the job done.”
UTSA’s defense will have seven starters returning from last season. The defensive line will be anchored by Brandon Brown, Brandon Matterson and Joe Evans.
The linebacker group has a few key players returning from last year as well. Inside linebacker Jamal Ligon is back for his senior season after leading the Roadrunners in tackles last season. Outside linebackers Donyai Taylor and Trey Moore also are back. Taylor played in 13 games last season and Moore led the defense in sacks. Moore and Taylor were both elected by teammates to wear single digits this season — signifying they best embody the team’s values.
“It was exciting — to be held as someone who is upholding the brand and the culture of the 210,” Moore said. “I’m blessed to be seen that way by my teammates and coaches.”
The returning defensive backs include safeties Wisdom and Kelechi Nwachuku and cornerbacks Nicktroy Fortune and Dwyan Griffin.
UTSA’s special teams bring back punter Lucas Dean but will have to replace last year’s placekicker, Jared Sackett. The Roadrunners have had two kickers battling for the starting job in fall camp, incumbent Tate Sandell and Alabama transfer Chase Allen.
This season will be a step up in competition for the Roadrunners, both in non-conference and in conference play. If UTSA can replicate the success of the last two years, it will have a chance to be playing for a spot in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games.
