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For the second year in a row Houston and UTSA opened each other's seasons with a close game played against each other. For the second year in a row Houston came away with a close victory.

The difference a year made was that the 2023 version didn't need overtime to decide a winner, Houston went up 10 in the third quarter before UTSA cut the deficit to three in the fourth quarter.

This year's game also had a different location. While last year was played in the cool confines of the Alamodome, this year's contest was played in the warm environs of Houston's TDECU Stadium. Even with the 6 p.m. start time it was still a toasty temperature in Houston's third ward.

One similarity between this year and last was that UTSA committed a costly penalty. Last year it was the too many men on the field penalty that let Houston back into the game.

This year it was an illegal formation penalty on the Roadrunners special teams when Houston was kicking a field goal to go up 13-7 in the third quarter. The Roadrunners lined up over the Houston snapper and drew a five yard penalty giving Houston a first down. Four plays later Houston quarterback Donovan Smith connected with Matthew Golden for a six yard touchdown pass. With 3:54 left in the third quarter Houston was up 17-7.

That penalty would prove costly later when UTSA scored its second touchdown of the night on a 20 yard pass from Frank Harris to Josh Cephus with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter. Instead of UTSA going up 14-13, they instead were down 17-14.

UTSA never saw the ball again as Houston ran out the clock, although not without controversy when they were given a first down in the final two minutes on a fourth and two play they had appeared to have been short on. Even after the video review and chain measurement it appeared the Cougar was short of the marker but up close the Refs must have seen enough of the ball in front of the marker to give Houston a first down.

Despite coming up short there were things for the Roadrunners to feel good about on Saturday night in Houston.

Kevorian Barnes had 16 carries for 103 yards and scored a touchdown in the first quarter that tied the score at 7-7. Barnes was one of six Roadrunners to record a rushing attempt on Saturday night. Those six Roadrunners, Barnes, Harris, Robert Henry, David Amador II, Devin McCuin and Rocko Griffin, combined for 208 yards on 35 carries against the Cougars defense.

Harris completed 18 of his 36 pass attempts for 209 yards and threw to eight different receivers Saturday night. His top target was Cephus who had nine catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Harris did have some struggles in the third quarter but he will only improve as the season moves along.

The Roadrunner defense limited the Cougars to 17 points. UTSA was on defense quite a bit in the third quarter when Harris went through a stretch where he threw three straight passes that were intercepted by Houston defenders. The Cougars only got seven points off those turnovers.

Saturday night could have gone a whole different direction if Houston had been able to capitalize on the Roadrunner turnovers. The Roadrunners also handled a crowd that was doubly excited for it being Houston's Big 12 debut as well as a game in which the Cougars wore Houston Oiler inspired uniforms.

For people not from Houston it is hard to understand what the colors of Columbia Blue and red mean to the Bayou City. It goes beyond the late Oilers. For decades, the city's police cars and busses sported a color scheme of Columbia Blue and Red. Those two colors are as synonymous with Houston as Mission Control and the Astrodome.

The Roadrunners were able to handle the crowd and even provide moments where the home crowd found little to cheer about. Though the Cougar fans never got to the lows they had experienced nine years ago when UTSA last visited the Third Ward.

As Roadrunner fans departed Houston on Saturday night to head west on I-10, the mood was likely not good. On the same night that UTSA fell to Houston 17-14, 186 miles up highway 6 in Waco the I-35 rivals and next week's opponent Texas State shocked Baylor 42-31.

The Bobcats fanbase will rightfully be amped up after beating Baylor. They will come into San Antonio on a cloud higher than the highest hill in San Marcos. The Roadrunner faithful will be trying to find something to feel good about going into the home opener.

One thing about college football is that every week is different. This time the Roadrunners will be the home team and have the home field crowd to feed off of. Any team can win on any week. It helps if the ball bounces your way. On Saturday night in Houston it bounced more for Houston.

Next week is a new week and a new opportunity for the Roadrunners.

FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way