Questions loom for UTSA
Momentum is slippery. First-year head coach Frank Wilson found that out after a road-loss to Old Dominion one week after a near upset against Arizona State energized the fan base. UTSA needed a change and Wilson was the right choice. Still, change is never quick enough. Old wounds opened against Old Dominion, leaving question marks surrounding the 2016 season. As UTSA ends the first third of the schedule, here are questions still unanswered.
Who is the quarterback?
Dalton Sturm earned the starting job in camp and held on to the job following solid performances in a win over Alabama State and a loss to Colorado State. Any remaining doubt was erased with a stellar performance against Arizona State. The first half of Old Dominion forced a change by Wilson and Johnson led the team to a touchdown. Sturm eventually finished the game, but questions no doubt linger in the minds of both players. It is clear UTSA doesn’t feel completely confident in either quarterback given the quickness in which Sturm was pulled.
Sturm completed at least 51.35 percent of his passes in his first three games. He ended up at 47 percent against Old Dominion and his first half was worse than that. It was also the first game he didn’t account for a touchdown. Johnson ended at 50 percent on 12 attempts. His efficiency rating was higher than Sturm’s for the first time this season.
Where are the wide receivers?
The wide receiver position was supposed to be one of strength. Instead, the position lacks playmakers and not a single player resembles a No. 1 threat through the air. Kerry Thomas, Marquez McNair and Brady Jones are the only players with at least 10 catches and none of them average over 12 yards per catch. No one on the roster has more than 150 yards receiving after four games.
Can the offensive line be fixed?
The offensive line is still bad and it likely stays that way for another recruiting cycle or two. Juan Perez was overwhelmed at the point of attack in the last three games. The protection is falling back into old patterns, giving up at least four sacks in the past three games after giving up just one in a win over Alabama State. It isn’t a coincidence that it was the only win for the Roadrunners this season. It all starts and stops with the offensive line and this is the third offensive line coach in the past three seasons. The talent and/or execution simply aren’t good enough to win football games right now. It is a group that plays well in stretches, but consistency remains an issue.
Can the defense make plays?
The defense is steadily improving. The lack of big plays is alarming, however. It is hard to slow down modern offenses, so throw stats out the window. It is all about forcing stops in the red zone and creating negative plays, including turnovers. UTSA is struggling in that department and it creates long fields for a struggling offense. Stop me if you’ve watched that movie before. All three of UTSA’s recovered fumbles came through special teams and Nate Gaines has the lone interception, which came against Arizona State. The defense is credited with seven sacks on the season, but six of those came in the opener against Alabama State. The bend-but-don’t-break defense is necessary in a new system with the current talent, but it creates situations like the one we watched late against Old Dominion. UTSA needed one play on defense down six points heading into the fourth and the unit couldn’t pull it off.