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UTSA avoided the first 0-3 start to conference play in school history with a 38-24 win over Florida Atlantic last week on Homecoming weekend.

Now, the Roadrunners go from the Homecoming honorees to the guests at another team's homecoming as they visit the Tulsa Golden Hurricane this weekend. It will be the second game ever played between UTSA and Tulsa on the gridiron and the Roadrunners fourth game played in the state of Oklahoma after making road trips to face Oklahoma State in Stillwater in 2014 and 2015. The only other game at Tulsa was November 2, 2013. UTSA was in its first season in Conference USA while Tulsa was in its final season in that conference before setting up shop in the American in 2014.

Just like this weekend, that first visit by UTSA to Tulsa coincided with the Golden Hurricane homecoming celebrations. Those 2013 Roadrunners proved to be the homecoming spoilers as they beat Tulsa 34-15. It was one of four times in program history that UTSA was the guest at somebody else's homecoming and walked out victorious.

UTSA would like to be the homecoming spoiler again this year if not for the fact that it would allow the Roadrunners to avoid starting 0-5 on the road for the first time in program history. The Roadrunners worst road season was in 2011, when they lost all four road games. A loss on Saturday would not only be the Roadrunners worst road start to a season but be the first five-game road losing streak for the Roadrunners since the 2014 club lost its final five road games after opening that season with a win at Houston.

It would seem the Roadrunners have a good chance to avoid that 0-5 road record against a Tulsa team that has been living on a three-game losing streak and enters play Saturday with a 2-5 record overall and 0-3 in conference play.

Tulsa has had an up-and-down run in the last decade and a half. Since 2011, the Golden Hurricane has gone 73-93 with two 10-win seasons and two 10-loss seasons. Tulsa's football program goes all the way back to 1895, just one year after the school itself opened in 1894 as a Presbyterian college named Kendall College in Muskogee.

The College moved to Tulsa in 1907, the same year Oklahoma became the 46th state to join the union. In 1921, Kendall College became known as the University of Tulsa when it merged with a proposed Methodist college called McFarlin College. The Kendall College team went 10-1 in 1920 and 6-1-3 in 1921 as the University of Tulsa. In 1922, the school adopted the Golden Hurricane nickname.

Tulsa football was independent from 1895-1913 and 1986-95. Every other year has been played with the Golden Hurricane being members of a conference, including 2014-present in the American.

UTSA got its first conference win last week and now the Roadrunners are looking to start a winning streak in American Conference play heading into a tough November schedule.

The Roadrunners have a good chance to get that second win in a row against a Tulsa Team that is 2-5 on the season and 0-3 in conference play. Tulsa's other two losses came back-to-back in September between a season-opening win and a win in the non-conference finale.

Through seven games this season, Tulsa has been outscored by opponents 242-156 (34.57-22.29 per game). UTSA has been outscored 211-175 (30.14-25 per game).

UTSA's offense has put up 2,864 yards this season (409.1 per game). The Roadrunners have thrown for 1,873 yards (267.6 per game) and run for 991 yards (141.6 per game). Tulsa counters with a defense that has allowed 2,962 yards (423.1 per game). Opponents of the Golden Hurricane have thrown for 1,910 yards (272.86 per game) and run for 1,052 yards (150.3 per game).

Tulsa's offense has 2,597 yards through seven games (371 per game). The Golden Hurricane have thrown for 1,427 yards (203.86 per game) and run for 1,170 yards (167.1 per game). UTSA's defense has allowed 2,481 yards this season (354.4 per game). The Roadrunners opponents have thrown for 1,809 yards (258.4 per game) and run for 672 yards (96 per game).

UTSA has a minus-two turnover differential. Tulsa has a minus-one turnover differential.

NOTABLE PLAYERS

UTSA has found its quarterback in the form of Owen McCown. McCown is the third-leading passer in the American Conference. He has completed 155 of 252 pass attempts for 1,650 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. McCown has also run for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Whether it has been McCown or Eddie Lee Marburger at quarterback this year, the Roadrunners have spread the ball around. UTSA quarterbacks have completed passes to 17 different Roadrunners this season. Despite not playing Saturday against Florida Atlantic, Devin McCuin still leads the Roadrunners with 37 catches and four touchdowns to go with 279 yards. Willie McCoy has the most receiving yards for the Roadrunners with 342 and is tied for second on the team with two touchdowns. The other Roadrunners who have two receiving touchdowns are Oscar Cardenas and Jamel Hardy.

On the ground, UTSA has also spread the wealth around. Robert Henry has the most carries with 66 for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon High leads the Roadrunners with 290 yards and three touchdowns.

Kirk Francis leads the Tulsa offense. The Golden Hurricane quarterback has completed 117 of his 199 pass attempts for 1,217 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

Tulsa's top receiver has been Kamdyn Benjamin. Benjamin has caught 42 passes for 500 yards and two touchdowns. Connor Vaughn leads the Golden Hurricane in scoring with three touchdown catches.

The Golden Hurricane running attack is led by Anthony Watkins. Watkins has 61 carries for 271 yards and three touchdowns.

For the second week in a row, UTSA needs a win. Last week, it was to avoid a historic low for a conference start. This week, it is to avoid starting a season 0-5 on the road for the first time in program history. The Roadrunners need this win. Just as much as they needed the win last weekend.

If the Roadrunners can't get the win against Tulsa on Saturday, then they could be staring down the first 0-6 season on the road in program history, with the only road game left on the schedule being Thanksgiving weekend's visit to Army on the banks of the Hudson.

Fortunately for the Roadrunners, Tulsa is not Army. UTSA has a chance to get a second win in a row, but to do it, the Roadrunners will need to continue to embrace the youth movement while also limiting the penalties. Winning the turnover battle would help boost the Roadrunners chances and keep a streak going. UTSA has had a takeaway in 17 straight games.

Make it 18 straight as the Roadrunners will get a turnover Saturday and pull out their second win in a row to even up both their overall record and conference record.

UTSA 35 Tulsa 20

FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way