UTSA at AAC Media Days

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UTSA were the first to arrive at American Athletic Conference Media Days in Arlington on Monday afternoon. The Roadrunners were represented by Head Coach Jeff Traylor, Quarterback Frank Harris and Safety Rashad Wisdom. The San Antonio trio also arrived at media day in style as they flew up in a private jet provided by San Antonio businessman Harry Levy.

"I tried to prepare them" Traylor said of the flight with Harris and Wisdom. "I don't like to fly on them either. You can feel every bump up there. Before we took off I said be careful what you wish for its different from flying commercial."

It was an exciting time for Harris and Wisdom, both taking their first flight on a private jet. Both agreed with coach that it was a different experience from flying commercial.

"I told coach it's like an amusement ride or a roller coaster," Wisdom said. "I never realized how much turbulence there was up there cause we usually fly in those big commercial planes."

Added Harris, "I've never done it. It was a pretty cool experience but the turbulence is more noticeable but once you get used to it it's not so bad."

Another team that revealed its mode of travel to media days was Navy. Navy's head coach Brian Newberry and his players flew in on American Airlines. Newberry referenced it in his 15 minutes at the podium on Tuesday morning. Tuesday was going to be a busy day for Newberry and the two midshipmen players, linebacker Will Harbour and center Lirion Murtezi. Tuesday was the day the Midshipmen report to Annapolis for the start of their fall camp.

How the other teams flew in to Arlington we did not find out. What is known is that by flying up to Arlington, Traylor, Harris and Wisdom saved themselves a 284 mile drive up I-35 or a 276 mile drive had they gone up 281 from UTSA's main campus to AAC media days at Live! By Loews in Arlington.

Here are some of the highlights from the last two days with UTSA at the AAC media days

On Tuesday morning right before Commissioner Mike Aresco made his speech at the podium the media preseason poll was released for the AAC. Defending AAC champions Tulane were picked by most media to repeat as conference champions. The Green Wave received 20 first place votes.

UTSA was picked to finish second in the conference standings with nine first place votes. When asked about the predictions both Harris and Wisdom seemed unfazed by it.

"Pressure is a privilege," Wisdom said. "Having high expectations is a good thing. At the end of the day we're going to have to go in and handle business, regardless of whether we were voted first, in the middle or last. We know how it feels to be picked last and we know how it feels to be picked first."

Added Harris, "At the end of the day it's football. It's cool to get the respect. We have a ton of respect for everybody."

The rest of the predicted finish for the AAC was SMU in third with three first place votes, Memphis in fourth, Florida Atlantic in fifth, East Carolina in sixth, North Texas in seventh. UAB was picked to finish eighth but that didn't stop the Blazers from getting one first place vote. The rest of the rankings were Navy in ninth, Temple in 10th, Tulsa in 11th, Rice in 12th, South Florida in 13th and Charlotte in 14th.

Charlotte Head Coach Biff Poggi was not pleased with where his team was picked to finish in the preseason poll or the fact only three questions were asked of him during his time at the podium on Tuesday morning.

"That's it, three questions?" Poggi said as he pounded his fist on the podium. "Maybe that's because you have us ranked last, that's all that you think of us. We get that message thank you."

Poggi ended up being the only coach on Tuesday to end his time by pounding the podium on his way off the stage.

Tuesday was an interesting day in Arlington as not only was the American Athletic Conference holding its media day in the Live by Loews hotel but just next door at Globe Life Field Conference USA was also hosting its media day.

It was an interesting juxtaposition for UTSA and the other five schools who departed Conference USA for the American as the calendar turned from June to July. They have all come a long way from their previous conference but as far as media days were concerned they just changed one number on the address.

The difference in the conferences though is quite apparent. The American will present new locations for UTSA to travel and teams with more football tradition than they found in Conference USA. The American will present a new challenge to the Roadrunners but also new opportunities.

Next year the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams. The top six conference champions will earn a spot in the playoff along with the top six at large teams. There will be more opportunities for AAC schools to be chosen to the CFP in the coming years.

A new schedule with new teams has the Roadrunners excited. Wisdom is looking forward to the trips to Philadelphia and New Orleans.

"I'm excited to go to Philadelphia," Wisdom said. "I want to get a cheesesteak up there. I've also never been to New Orleans so I'm looking forward to playing there at the end of the season."

Harris didn't have a particular trip in mind but mentioned he looks forward to playing new teams.

"We were excited for sure to be able play against some of the great teams in the country," Harris said. "We are excited for the challenge. We just have to go out there and continue to play football and not overthink stuff."

A year ago at Conference USA media days UTSA wore their 2021 conference championship rings. The 2022 C-USA champion rings did not make an appearance at AAC media days. The consensus among Traylor, Harris and Wisdom is that the 2022 championship is in the past. It's a new year and a new conference.

If UTSA does win the AAC this year they would join the 1994-96 Texas Longhorns as the only school in the history of Texas FBS schools to win three straight conference championships in two different conferences. Texas shared the 1994 Southwest Conference title with four other teams. The Longhorns were outright champions in the final year of the SWC in 1995 before winning the inaugural Big 12 championship in 1996.

UTSA enters the American Athletic Conference having accomplished a lot in its first 12 seasons of football. One thing that has eluded the Roadrunners in its first dozen seasons is a bowl victory. The Roadrunners lost the 2016 New Mexico Bowl and since Traylor and the 210 Triangle of Toughness arrived in the 2020 season the Roadrunners have made three straight bowl games and come up short all three times.

"I'm 0-3 in bowl games," Harris said. "That's the only thing that stands out to me. I could care less about 23-5 and two championships. The bowl games is the bad part. 0-3 is a terrible stat to have."

Harris had his best bowl performance in the 2021 Frisco Bowl against San Diego State. In a 38-24 loss to the Aztecs, Harris was 22-for-36 passing with 271 yards and two touchdowns. Harris also threw one interception.

In the 2020 First Responder Bowl, Harris completed 13 of 22 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Louisiana. Harris also ran for 91 yards and a touchdown in a 31-24 loss to the Ragin Cajuns.

"The bowl win is what's left on my bucket list," Harris said. "I would feel like I failed the city of San Antonio if the bowl win did not happen. I have to win a bowl game."

Last year in the Cure Bowl against Troy Harris completed 23 of 42 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions in an 18-12 loss.

"I played terrible last year," Harris said. "I had two interceptions that were the worst decisions I ever made. We just didn't play our brand of football. As the leader of the offense I have to play better. I think about that a lot and hopefully the next bowl game that doesn't happen."

The move to the AAC will give UTSA a new collection of bowls that they could end up in. Perhaps for the Roadrunners the fourth trip in a row will be the charm.

With AAC Media Day in the rearview mirror UTSA turns its attention to fall camp which begins next Wednesday, August 2.

FORUMS: UTSA Boulevard | Roadrunner Way