A visit to the 40 Acres
UTSA makes the short trip up I-35 to take on the Texas Longhorns in Austin
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Fresh off an overtime win at Army the UTSA Roadrunners have packed their bags are heading back out on the road. This week they are making a much shorter trip up the road to the 40 acres in Austin for a game with the Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns will be playing their third home game in a row when UTSA comes to town on Saturday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Last week Texas came close to upsetting the top ranked Alabama Crimson Tide but lost on a field goal in the final 10 seconds.
More on the game later but first a little back story on the history of UT-Austin (Yes Longhorn fans, that is the official name of the school since 1967) and how its beginnings helped lead to UTSA.
The University of Texas was established by the Republic of Texas in 1839 but it wasn't until 1876 that the UT system was created by the state of Texas and 1883 that the system opened with its main campus in Austin and its medical school in Galveston. From 1883 until the mid 60s the UT system consisted of those two campuses.
In 1965, Arlington State College became UT-Arlington and in 1967 Texas Western joined the system as UTEP. In 1969 the UT system grew again with the creation of UTSA.
Meanwhile back in Austin the Texas Longhorn football team began playing in 1893. The Longhorns quickly became one of the powerhouse programs in the region. Texas was a founding member of the Southwest Conference in 1914 and stayed in that conference until it ended in 1995. In 1996 the Longhorns headed to the Big 12 where they have remained since.
In their nearly 130 year history of football the Longhorns have an all-time record of 929-386-33. Texas has won four national championships and had two Heisman Trophy winners. The Longhorns have played on their home field since 1924 when it was just called Texas Memorial Stadium. In the 98 years since it opened it's name as grown as long as a football field. It is now officially known as Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at Campbell-Williams Field.
It is likely that a good size crowd will be on hand at DKR on Saturday night to see the Longhorns and the Roadrunners meet for the first time ever.
| Texas | UTSA | |
|---|---|---|
|
Year school was founded |
1883 |
1969 |
|
First year of football |
1893 |
2011 |
|
Record since 2011 |
79-61 |
65-69 |
|
Last week |
L 20-19 v. Alabama |
W 41-38 at Army (1 OT) |
|
Next Week |
Sept. 24 at Texas Tech 2:30 p.m. |
Sept. 24 v. Texas Southern 2:30 p.m. |
Roadrunners hope to shock the Longhorns in Austin
Both UTSA and Texas enter this week with 1-1 records. The Roadrunners have played two overtime games so far this season, losing in three overtimes to Houston and then last week beating Army in overtime.
Texas rolled past Louisiana Monroe 52-10 in the season opener and lost to Alabama 20-19 when the Tide kicked a game winning field goal with 10 seconds left on Saturday afternoon.
UTSA will be heading to Austin believing they can hang with the Longhorns and keep it close. It won't be easy to accomplish but it is possible.
Offensively the Roadrunners are averaging 476.5 yards per game through two games. The Roadrunner opponents combined to average 415.5 yards per game. Texas's offense is averaging 377 yards per game so far this season. The Longhorn defense is giving up an average of 316.5 yards per game.
The Roadrunner offense has had more passing yards than rushing yards so far this seeason. UTSA is averaging 348 yards per game in the air and 128.5 yards per game on the ground. On defense UTSA has given up an average of 255 yards per game passing and 160.5 yards per game on the ground.
By comparison Texas on offense has averaged 270.5 yards per game passing and 106.5 yards per game rushing. The Longhorn defense is giving up an average of 190 yards per game passing and 126.5 yards per game rushing.
As far as turnovers go, UTSA is plus-two. The Roadrunners have thrown one interception and recovered three fumbles. Texas has the same number of takeaways as they do turnovers. The Longhorns have thrown an interception on offense and intercepted a pass on defense.
INDIVIDUAL STARS
UTSA's hopes will continue to rest on the arm and legs of quarterback Frank Harris. Harris has completed 60 of his 88 pass attempts for 696 yards and six touchdowns. Harris is also the Roadrunners leading rusher with 93 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
At running back the Roadrunners have the duo of Brendan Brady and Trelon Smith carrying the load. Brady has 87 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. Smith has 82 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
The Roadrunner receiving corps continues to be a strength. Two thirds of Harris's completions have been to the trio of Zakhari Franklin, Josh Cephus and DeCorian Clark. Franklin leads the way with 20 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Cephus has 17 catches for 218 yards and a touchdown. Clark has 13 catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns.
Texas on offense will look different this week. Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers will not be available after suffering a shoulder injury last week against Alabama. Backup quarterback Hudson Card was also injured last week but it is possible he could be back by Saturday night. If Card is unable to go on Saturday night then the Longhorns will have a pass attempted by someone other than those two for the first time this season.
The Longhorns will likely call on running back Bijan Robinson a lot on Saturday night. Robinson has 128 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries so far this season. Roschon Johnson will also have his number called on Saturday. Johnson has 50 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries so far this season.
Whoever is passing the ball for Texas they will have several options to throw to. Jordan Whittington leads the Longhorns with 10 catches. Xavier Worthy has a team high 121 yards through two games. Robinson and Ja'Tavion Sanders lead the Longhorns with one receiving touchdown each.
Prediction time
UTSA catches the Longhorns a week after they were unable to hold a last minute lead against Alabama. Texas will be looking to give the home crowd a win on Saturday night. The Roadrunners have been building momentum since that first game against Houston.
The key for the Roadrunners will be to punch the Longhorns early, whether that is by an early score or forcing a Longhorn turnover. The longer UTSA can hang around with Texas the better their odds of pulling the upset will be.
As to whether or not the game ends in regulation or UTSA plays a third straight overtime will be decided on Saturday. Although the Roadrunners would feel a lot better about overtime in Austin than the Longhorns would.
I predict the game will be close for a while but in the end Texas will be able to pull out the win. It won't be easy though.
My pick: Texas 31 UTSA 21
FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way