Defend the Dome

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For the third year in a row October has been a good month for the UTSA Roadrunners. Last week the Roadrunners added to quite a few winning streaks in a 36-10 win at Florida Atlantic.

In addition to being the third straight win this season It was also the Roadrunners 11th straight regular season conference win (13 straight including conference championships) and their 10th straight win in the month of October going back to Halloween 2020.

Now the Roadrunners return home to the Alamodome for the annual homecoming game. The Roadrunners will look to add to another streak as they have won four straight homecoming games and are 8-4 all-time when welcoming the Alumni home. The last team to beat UTSA in the Roadrunners homecoming game was Louisiana Tech in 2018.

The last four homecoming games had the Roadrunners hosting a team from Texas. This year the Roadrunners opponent comes from a long way away from the Sabine River. Making their debut visit to the Alamodome is the East Carolina Pirates out of Greenville, North Carolina.

East Carolina got a 62-year head start on UTSA as a college by opening in 1907 as East Carolina Teachers Training School. In 1920 it became a four year college and changed its name to East Carolina Teachers College. It kept that name for 31 years until 1951 when it became East Carolina College. In 1967 ECC became East Carolina University. Five years later, in 1972, it traded in its status as an independent university for a spot in the University of North Carolina System.

Notable alums of East Carolina include Vince McMahon and Sandra Bullock.

Football came to Greenville in 1932, by which point the school had already adopted the nickname Pirates and the colors purple and gold. East Carolina was an independent in football from 1932-46 before joining the North State Conference in 1947. The PIrates sailed back into Independent status in 1962 before trying out the Southern Conference from 1965-1976. East Carolina was back to being an Independent from 1977-96 before touring Conference USA from 1997-2013. In 2014 the Pirates found a home in the American.

Since starting football in 1932 the Pirates have an all-time record of 463-450-12. The Pirates are 68-84 since the start of the 2011 season. This year's Pirates are 1-6 overall and 0-3 in conference.

UTSA and East Carolina meet as two teams at opposite ends of the conference standings. The Roadrunners (4-3, 3-0 AAC) are battling for the top spot with Tulane and SMU. The Pirates (1-6, 0-3 AAC) are only kept out of the conference basement by 0-4 Temple.

The Roadrunners have won each of their conference games by double-digit margins. East Carolina's only conference loss by double digits came against SMU and the Pirates closest conference loss was last week's 10-7 setback against Charlotte.

Through the first seven games this season UTSA has outscored opponents 203-176 (29-25.14 per game). East Carolina has been outscored 169-122 (24.14-17.43 per game).

UTSA has gotten 2,760 yards (394.3 per game) on offense this season. The Roadrunners have thrown for 1,669 yards (238.4 per game) and run for 1,091 yards (155.9 per game). The Roadrunners will be going up against an East Carolina defense that has been the team's strength. The Pirates opponents have combined for 2,319 yards of offense (331.3 per game). East Carolina's defense has allowed 1,472 yards passing (210.29 per game) and 847 yards rushing (121 per game).

East Carolina's offense has not been as good as the Pirates defense this season. The Pirates have 1,938 yards of total offense this season (276.9 per game). East Carolina has thrown for 1,127 yards (161 per game) and run for 811 yards (115.9 per game). The Pirates will try to solve a Roadrunner defense that has been getting better with each passing week. The Roadrunners defense has allowed 2,598 yards of offense to opponents (371.1 per game). Opponents of the Roadrunners have combined to throw for 1,688 yards (241.1 per game) and run for 910 yards (130 per game).

In terms of turnovers both teams will come into Saturday's game looking to improve their differential.

UTSA has a minus four differential. The Roadrunners defense has four interceptions and four fumble recoveries this season. UTSA's offense has thrown eight interceptions and lost four fumbles.

East Carolina has a plus one differential. The Pirates defense has gotten three interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. East Carolina's offense has thrown eight interceptions and lost two fumbles.

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Both teams have used multiple quarterbacks this season although UTSA had to change QBs because of injury while East Carolina has gone to a two quarterback system.

Frank Harris has led the Roadrunners this season despite missing two games with injury. Harris has completed 114 of 171 pass attempts for 1,193 yards and nine touchdowns. Eddie Lee Marburger and Owen McCown got the Roadrunners through the two weeks that Frank Harris was out with a turf toe injury.

East Carolina has seen both Alex Finn and Mason Garcia lead the offense. Finn has completed 72 of 143 pass attempts for 718 yards and two touchdowns as well as six interceptions. Garcia has completed 48 of 95 pass attempts for 408 yards and a touchdown. Garcia has also thrown two interceptions this season.

UTSA's top receiver this year has been Joshua Cephus. Cephus has caught 52 passes for 498 yards and six touchdowns. Cephus reached 3,000 career passing yards in the win over Florida Atlantic.

The Roadrunners other notable receivers are Tykee Ogle-Kellogg (19 catches, 349 yards, four touchdowns) and Devin McCuin (23 catches, 326 yards, two touchdowns).

East Carolina's leading receivers are Chase Sowell (25 catches, 295 yards) and Jaylen Johnson (25 catches, 236 yards). Shane Calhoun leads the Pirates with two receiving touchdowns this season.

The Roadrunners bring a trio of running backs into the game against East Carolina. Kevorian Barnes leads the Roadrunners with 104 carries for 469 yards as well as four touchdowns. Robert Henry leads the team in touchdowns with five to go with 53 carries and 359 yards. Rocko Griffin has 41 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

The Pirates leading runner is Rahjai Harris. Harris has 76 carries for 249 yards and four touchdowns. Garcia is the second leading Pirate runner with 50 carries for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

UTSA will be looking to improve to 3-0 all-time against teams from North Carolina as well as keep their homecoming win streak alive.

East Carolina will come in with desperation trying to get the shocking victory but they will need more than desperation to get the win. The Pirates defense could keep it close early but these Roadrunners are battle-tested and will not be looking past the Pirates.

Playing in the Alamodome is tough for any opponent. It could be a house of horrors for the Pirates. UTSA is playing its best football and should be able to keep the train rolling down the track of American Conference play.

To do that UTSA will need to continue its run of getting pressure on whoever is at quarterback for the Pirates, winning the turnover battle and sinking the Pirates with a balanced offense showing off the running back trio and the receiving trio.

The Roadrunners should be able to notch their third straight 4-0 start to conference play with a pull-away victory against East Carolina.

PREDICTION: UTSA 42 EAST CAROLINA 10

FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way