UTSA hosts North Texas looking to make it four wins in a row against the Mean Green
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The high school football playoffs start this weekend in the state of Texas, but the Alamodome will host a college game with high stakes on Friday night when UTSA welcomes rivals North Texas to town.
It will be the Mean Green's first visit to San Antonio since the first Friday of December 2022, when UTSA got their second win of that season over North Texas to win the program's second straight Conference USA Championship Game.
UTSA has won the last three games against North Texas, including last November when the Roadrunners got their first win in Denton since 2013. The Mean Green last beat UTSA in 2021 when the Mean Green handed UTSA its first loss of the season while also earning bowl eligibility.
That is Mean Green's only win in the series since winning three in a row against UTSA between 2017-19. In 2020, North Texas visited the Alamodome, looking to win four in a row against the Roadrunners. UTSA won that game 49-17 in Jeff Traylor's first experience of the rivalry.
Now, the Roadrunners find themselves in a similar position to the 2021 Mean Green. At 4-5 this year, UTSA needs to win two of its final three games to get to bowl eligibility. By beating North Texas, that would mean the Roadrunners would just need to win one more game for bowl eligibility.
A loss to North Texas would mean the Roadrunners would have to beat Temple in the home finale and then beat Army at West Point to close out the regular season.
North Texas needs just one win in its final three games to get to bowl eligibility. The Mean Green would also like to snap a three-game losing streak to UTSA and prevent the Roadrunners from being the first team in the series to win four times in a row.
How will things shake out in the Alamodome on Friday night?
Roadrunners look to get back to .500
Both UTSA and North Texas come into Friday night's contest with 2-3 records in conference play. UTSA started 1-3 in the American Conference this year but managed to secure the win of the season on November 2 in the Alamodome against Memphis. North Texas is coming off a 14-3 loss to Army in Denton last Saturday.
Through nine games this season, UTSA has been outscored 293-264 (32.56-29.33 per game). North Texas has outscored its opponents 329-309 (36.56-34.33 per game).
UTSA's offense has 3,818 yards this season (424.2 per game). The Roadrunners have thrown for 2,623 yards (291.4 per game) and run for 1,195 yards (132.8 per game). Looking to stop the Roadrunners is a North Texas defense that has seen opponents combine for 3,900 yards (433.3 per game). Opponents of North Texas have thrown for 2,188 yards (243.11 per game) and run for 1,712 yards (190.2 per game).
North Texas’s offense is improved from last season. The Mean Green have put up 4,504 yards on offense in 2024 (500.4 per game). North Texas has thrown for 3,187 yards (354.11 per game) and run for 1,317 yards (146.3 per game). UTSA will look to slow down the Mean Green's passing attack with a defense that has allowed 3,430 yards (381.1 per game). The Roadrunner defense has seen opponents throw for 2,633 yards (292.6 per game) and run for 797 yards (88.6 per game).
As is the case with rivalry games, turnovers might be a deciding factor. UTSA has gotten a takeaway on defense in 19 straight games. The Roadrunners have a plus-one turnover margin this season, with 14 takeaways on defense compared to 13 turnovers on offense. North Texas has a minus-five turnover difference this season, with just nine takeaways compared to 14 turnovers.
NOTABLE PLAYERS
The quarterbacks will get the headlines this week and with good reason. UTSA's Owen McCown has completed 205 of 339 pass attempts for 2,364 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. McCown has also run for 90 yards and a touchdown this season.
McCown's opposite number on North Texas is Chandler Morris. Morris has completed 248 of 388 pass attempts for 3,087 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Morris has also run for 157 yards and four touchdowns.
Robert Henry has led the Roadrunners on the ground with 94 carries for 360 yards and is second on the team for rushing touchdowns with three. Brandon High leads the Roadrunners with four rushing touchdowns to go with 318 yards on 54 carries.
Shane Porter leads the Mean Green running attack with 54 carries for 340 yards and is third on the team with two touchdowns. Makenzie McGill leads North Texas with six touchdowns alongside 227 yards on 43 carries.
UTSA has had a wealth of targets for McCown to throw to throughout the season. Roadrunner quarterbacks have completed at least one pass to 18 different receivers. Even though he has been out since the Rice game, Devin McCuin still has the most catches among the Roadrunners with 37 and receiving touchdowns with four. McCuin is still fourth on the team with 279 yards. Chris Carpenter is second on the Roadrunners with 36 catches, but he leads the team with 454 receiving yards.
North Texas has seen 20 different receivers catch a pass this season. DT Sheffield leads the Mean Green receivers with 721 yards and 10 touchdowns on 55 receptions. Other notable Mean Green receivers are Damon Ward Jr. (462 yards and four touchdowns on 26 catches) and Blair Conwright (373 yards and four touchdowns on 24 catches).
Stephen's Prediction
Friday will be the 13th time that UTSA and North Texas battle it out on the football field. UTSA has a 7-5 lead in the series. The Roadrunners have won three in a row and four of the last five against their rivals from up north.
This year has been an up-and-down year for the Roadrunners, but it has also been that for North Texas. The Mean Green might have a high-flying passing offense, but in recent weeks, the results haven't gone their way. They also have a habit of turning the ball over. Something a team like UTSA needs to take advantage of.
UTSA looked to be headed in a downward spiral when the calendar turned from October to November, but beating Memphis and the way they beat Memphis might have given the Roadrunners a boost. Getting a bye week before a Friday game was also helpful for the Roadrunners as they face a North Texas team on a short week after facing Army.
Having this game be in the Alamodome should provide the Roadrunners the boost they need, as they are 27-3 beneath the quad spires on Montana Street under Jeff Traylor. Points are usually scored whenever Blue and Orange clash with Green and Black.
This one will be no different, but UTSA will push its streak of games with a takeaway to 20 in a row. That will prove to be the difference in who wins.
UTSA 40 North Texas 31
FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way
