Game Preview
The UTSA Roadrunners are gearing up to play the Texas State Bobcats in their season opener at home. On Saturday night at TDECU Stadium in Houston, UTSA’s season opener ended in a 17-14 loss to Houston. The Bobcats won a thrilling game over Baylor, 42-31, in Waco on Saturday night.
Frank Harris threw for 209 yards and a score on 18 of 36 passes, but he was picked off three times in the third quarter. For UTSA (417 total yards), Kevorian Barnes was responsible for 103 rushing yards and a touchdown.
A 20-yard touchdown pass from Harris to Joshua Cephus with 5:42 left trimmed Houston’s lead to three, but the Texans were able to run out the clock thanks in large part to a 3-yard gain by Smith to get the first down with 1:45 left. Houston was awarded a first down after a review and measurement overturned an initial ruling that Smith was down by one yard.
The Roadrunners, newcomers to the American Athletic Conference this year, struggled to keep the ball in their possession, converting just 4 of 13 third downs and committing 8 penalties for 64 yards. UTSA’s offense was balanced, with 209 passing yards and 208 running yards.
Meanwhile, Texas State upset Baylor 42-31 on Saturday night behind TJ Finley’s 298 yards passing and three touchdowns, helping the Bobcats to their first victory over a Power Five conference team in coach GJ Kinne’s first season.
After starting the game with a three and out, the Bobcats’ attack began to resemble the unit Kinne put together as coach of Incarnate Word. That squad averaged 51.5 points per game, best in FCS, and was second with 581.2 total yards, best in the league.
After their first drive, the Bobcats went on a tear, amassing 448 total yards and scoring on six of their next eight drives. Ismail Mahdi scored twice in the first quarter, on a 10-yard reception and a 65-yard run, as they overcame a 3-0 deficit. At the break, their lead was 28-13.
Finley, who was considered the best quarterback prospect in Louisiana in 2019, spent one year at LSU and two at Auburn. In those 18 games, Finley made 11 starts and threw for 2,199 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
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Texas State vs UTSA Game Information
- Date: 09/09/2023
- Time: 03:30 PM ET
- Location: Alamodome.
- How to Watch Texas State vs UTSA: ESPN
- Live Stream: fubo.tv
