2021 UTSA Roadrunners football team

Last updated

2021 UTSA Roadrunners football
UTSA Roadrunners logo.svg
C-USA champion
C-USA West Division champion
Frisco Bowl, L 24–38 vs. San Diego State
Conference Conference USA
DivisionWest Division
Record12–2 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. (2nd season)
Offensive scheme Pro-style
Defensive coordinatorRod Wright (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJess Loepp (1st season)
Base defense 3–4
Home stadium Alamodome
Seasons
  2020
2022  
2021 Conference USA football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Western Kentucky xy  7 1   9 5  
Marshall  5 3   7 6  
Old Dominion  5 3   6 7  
Middle Tennessee  4 4   7 6  
Florida Atlantic  3 5   5 7  
Charlotte  3 5   5 7  
FIU  0 8   1 11  
West Division
UTSA xy$  7 1   12 2  
UAB  6 2   9 4  
North Texas  5 3   6 7  
UTEP  4 4   7 6  
Rice  3 5   4 8  
Southern Miss  2 6   3 9  
Louisiana Tech  2 6   3 9  
Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant

The 2021 UTSA Roadrunners football team represented the University of Texas at San Antonio during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Roadrunners played their home games at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). The team was coached by second-year head coach Jeff Traylor.

Contents

After a win against Memphis on September 25, UTSA became 4–0 for the first time since the 2012 season. [1] Two weeks later, on October 9, the program became 6–0 for the first time in its history after defeating Western Kentucky. [2] A week later, on the weekend of October 16, the program entered the national polls for the first time, reaching No. 24 in the AP poll and No. 25 in the Coaches poll. [3] The Roadrunners remained undefeated for the first time in its history until their 23–45 loss in the final game of the regular season against North Texas Mean Green football team. A 34–31 victory over UAB clinched the Conference USA Western Division title, their first in program history. The win also confirmed that the Roadrunners would play in their first conference championship game in program history, which they won 49–41 over WKU on December 3.

Preseason

C-USA media days

The Roadrunners were predicted to finish in second place in the West Division in the Conference USA preseason poll. [4]

Schedule and results

UTSA announced its 2021 football schedule on January 27, 2021. [5] [6] The 2021 schedule consisted of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:30 p.m.at Illinois * BTN W 37–3033,906
September 115:00 p.m. Lamar * ESPN3 W 54–016,229
September 185:00 p.m. Middle Tennessee
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+ W 27–1316,202
September 252:30 p.m.at Memphis * ESPNU W 31–2829,264
October 25:00 p.m. UNLV *
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 24–1720,154
October 96:00 p.m.at Western Kentucky Stadium W 52–4615,243
October 165:00 p.m. Rice Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 45–027,515
October 236:00 p.m.at Louisiana Tech No. 24StadiumW 45–1618,314
November 69:15 p.m.at UTEP ESPN2 W 44–2331,658
November 132:30 p.m. Southern Miss No. 23
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 27–1730,105
November 202:30 p.m. UAB No. 22
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 34–3135,167
November 271:00 p.m.at North Texas No. 22ESPN+L 23–4516,933
December 36:00 p.m.Western Kentucky
CBSSN W 49–4141,148
December 216:30 p.m.vs. No. 24 San Diego State * ESPN L 24–3815,801
Schedule Source: [5] [7]

Personnel

Coaching staff

NamePositionConsecutive season at
UTSA in current position
Alma Mater
Jeff Traylor Head coach2 Stephen F. Austin (1990)
Barry Lunney Jr. Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks2 Arkansas (1996)
Jess LoeppCo-defensive coordinator/safeties2 University of Central Oklahoma (2000)
Rod WrightCo-defensive coordinator/defensive line3 Texas (2011)
Tommy Perry Special teams coordinator2 Texas A&M (2003)
Matt Mattox Offensive line/Run Game Coordinator2 Houston (2005)
Will Stein Wide receivers/Passing Game Coordinator2 Louisville (2011)
Nick Graham Cornerbacks2 Tulsa (2013)
Julian GriffinRunning backs2 Louisiana–Monroe (2012)
Brad Sherrod Linebackers1 Duke (1993)
Kurt TraylorTight ends2 Texas A&M–Commerce (1995)
Reference: [8]

Roster

2021 UTSA Roadrunners Football

Quarterback

  • 0 – Frank Harris Senior (6'0, 200)
  • 8 – Josh Adkins – Senior (6'2, 220)
  • 10 – Lowell Narcisse– Senior (6'2, 255)
  • 12 – Eddie Lee Marburger – Freshman (6'3, 205)
  • 18 – Cam Peters – Freshman (6'4, 205)
  • 19 – Zach Rangel – Redshirt.svg Junior (6'2, 205)

Running back

  • 3 – Sincere McCormick - Junior (5'9, 205)
  • 5 – Brenden Brady - Senior (5'11, 215)
  • 17 – Kaedric Cobbs - Sophomore (5'10, 210)
  • 21 – Justin Rodriguez - Freshman (5'7, 180)
  • 28 – Jaylon Lott - Sophomore (6'0, 215)
  • 30 – De'Anthony Lewis - Freshman (6'1, 195)
  • 31 – Kevorian Barnes - Freshman (5'10, 195)
  • 33 – B.J. Daniels - Senior (6'1, 210)

Wide receiver

  • 2 – Joshua Cephus Junior (6'3, 190)
  • 4 – Zakhari Franklin Junior (6'1, 185)
  • 11 – Tykee Ogle-Kellogg – Junior (6'5, 200)
  • 13 – Sheldon Jones – Senior (5'9, 160)
  • 14 – Isaiah Davis – Sophomore (6'1, 195)
  • 15 – Cade Stoever – Redshirt.svg Junior (5'10, 190)
  • 19 – Julon Williams – Redshirt.svg Junior (5'9, 190)
  • 24 – Dre Spriggs – Freshman (6'3, 170)
  • 29 – Kyle Eaves – Freshman (5'9, 145)
  • 32 – Karch Gardiner – Sophomore (5'9, 180)
  • 81 – Tre'Von Bradley – Junior (6'1, 185)
  • 82 – Jaren Randle – Freshman (6'2, 185)
  • 83 – Gregory Clayton Jr. – Senior (5'10, 180)
  • 85 – Kennedy Lewis – Freshman (6'3, 190)
  • 88 – De'Corian Clark – Junior (6'2, 210)

Placekicker

  • 5 - Hunter Duplessis - Senior (5'9, 190)
  • 92 - Everett Ornstein - Sophomore (6'0, 175)
  • 34 - Colby McBerty - Freshman (6'5, 180)

Punter

  • 35 - Lucas Dean - Junior (6'2, 205)
  • 91 - Ethan Laing - Freshman (5'11, 190)
 

Tight end

  • 1 - Leroy Watson - Senior (6'5, 275)
  • 16 - Allen Horace II - Sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 34 - JaCorey Hyder - Freshman (6'3, 245)
  • 37 - Myles Benning - Senior (6'0, 250)
  • 45 - Ke'Chawn Compton - Junior (6'2, 240)
  • 80 - Dan Dishman - Freshman (6'5, 235)
  • 84 - Oscar Cardenas - Sophomore (6'4, 275)
  • 86 - Peter Gray - Junior (6'4, 250)
  • 87 - Gavin Sharp - Senior (6'5, 235)

Offensive lineman

  • 55 - Ahofitu Maka - Senior (6'3, 335)
  • 56 - Alex Wyant - Junior (6'5, 310)
  • 58 - Terrell Haynes - Junior (6'3, 340)
  • 61 - Kevin Davis - Senior (6'3, 335)
  • 62 - Robert Rigsby - Freshman (6'4, 330)
  • 63 - Jordan Brown - Freshman (6'3, 325)
  • 64 - Ernesto Almaraz - Junior (6'2, 295)
  • 65 - Kamron Scott - Freshman (6'4, 340)
  • 66 - Dominic Pastucci - Senior (6'5, 315)
  • 68 - Frankie Martinez - Freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 69 - Monte Williams - Sophomore (6'2, 310)
  • 70 - Jalyn Galmore - Senior (6'5, 295)
  • 71 - Rudy Aleman Jr. - Junior (6'1, 315)
  • 72 - River Gordon - Freshman (6'4, 305)
  • 73 - Demetris Allen - Sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 74 - Spencer Burford - Senior (6'5, 295)
  • 75 - Brandon Rolfe - Redshirt.svg Senior (6'3, 310)
  • 76 - Luke Lapeze - Freshman (6'5, 305)
  • 77 - Makai Hart - Senior (6'4, 300)
  • 78 - Daniel Santallana - Freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 79 - Ronnie Garza - Freshman (6'6, 295)

Defensive lineman

  • 1 - Jaylon Haynes - Senior (6'2, 300)
  • 6 - Lorenzo Dantzler - Senior (6'1, 260)
  • 17 - Asyrus Simon - Sophomore (6'4, 265)
  • 33 - Lamonte McDougle - Junior (6'0, 290)
  • 44 - Ronald Triplette - Freshman (6'2, 260)
  • 49 - Trumane Bell II - Junior (6'2, 255)
  • 50 - Jaden Jones - Freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 90 - Brandon Brown - Freshman (6'2, 305)
  • 95 - Christian Clayton - Sophomore (6'2, 275)
  • 97 - Walker Baty - Sophomore (6'3, 290)
  • 99 - Brandon Matterson - Senior (6'2, 290)
 

Outside Linebacker

  • 2 - Charles Wiley - Senior (6'3, 255)
  • 7 - Dadrian Taylor - Redshirt.svg Senior (5'11, 175)
  • 9 - Clarence Hicks - Senior (6'2, 225)
  • 12 - Donyai Taylor - Sophomore (6'1, 205)
  • 18 - Malik Jones - Sophomore (6'2, 190)
  • 40 - Jimmori Robinson - Sophomore (6'6, 235)
  • 45 - DeQuarius Henry - Senior (6'3, 240)
  • 54 - Caleb Lewis - Freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 56 - Trey Moore - Freshman (6'2, 250)

Inside Linebacker

  • 8 - Jamal Ligon - Sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 15 - Trevor Harmanson - Senior (6'3, 225)
  • 16 - Dru Prox - Senior (6'2, 225)
  • 20 - Denzel Feaster - Senior (6'3, 225)
  • 20 - Cameron Wilkins - Senior (6'2, 230)
  • 25 - Avery Morris - Sophomore (6'2, 225)
  • 32 - Caden Holt - Freshman (6'1, 215)
  • 37 - Nate Hawkins - Freshman (6'0, 220)
  • 38 - Tyler Mahnke - Senior (6'3, 235)
  • 39 - Kyle Wakefield - Junior (6'0, 210)
  • 41 - De'Marco Guidry - Senior (6'0, 220)

Safety

  • 0 - Rashad Wisdom - Junior (5'9, 205)
  • 4 - Antonio Parks - Senior (5'8, 190)
  • 10 - Clifford Chattman - Senior (6'5, 190)
  • 11 - Kelechi Nwachuku - Junior (6'0, 210)
  • 13 - Jahmal Sam - Sophomore (5'9, 185)
  • 22 - Ryan Shockency - Redshirt.svg Junior (6'0, 185)
  • 27 - Jarrett Preston - Redshirt.svg Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 28 - Je'Vaun Dabon - Sophomore (6'1, 180)
  • 35 - Ronald Gurley - Freshman (6'2, 210)

Cornerback

  • 3 - Tariq Woolen - Redshirt.svg Senior (6'4, 205)
  • 14 - Dywan Griffin - Junior (5'11, 180)
  • 16 - JayVeon Cardwell - Junior (5'11, 195)
  • 21 - Ken Robinson - Redshirt.svg Sophomore (5'11, 175)
  • 23 - Xavier Spencer - Sophomore (6'1, 185)
  • 24 - Jalen Rainey - Freshman (6'4, 200)
  • 26 - Corey Mayfield Jr. - Senior (5'11, 190)
  • 29 - Xavier Player - Freshman (6'0, 175)
  • 36 - Sean Berry - Sophomore (5'10, 175)

Long snappers

  • 52 - Cade Collenback - Junior (6'2, 240)
  • 53 - Caleb Cantrell - Senior (5'11, 215)

Source and player details, 2021 UTSA Football Roster (09/16/2021): [9]

Game summaries

At Illinois

UTSA Roadrunners at Illinois Fighting Illini – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Roadrunners71331437
Fighting Illini01431330

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 4
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: W 3 MPH
  • Game attendance: 33,906
  • Referee: Greg Blum
  • TV announcers (BTN): Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst) and Coley Harvey (sideline)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Lamar

Lamar Cardinals at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Cardinals00000
Roadrunners1321101054

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 16,229
  • Referee: Tobian Johnson
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Middle Tennessee

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Blue Raiders0001313
Roadrunners7371027

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 16,202
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Memphis

UTSA Roadrunners at Memphis Tigers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Roadrunners0771731
Tigers2107028

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: W 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 29,624
  • Referee: Joe Lehring
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

The Tigers scored 21 unanswered points in the 1st quarter, the first time all season that the Roadrunners trailed in a game. UTSA scored 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter for the win. Hunter Duplessis nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired to give the Roadrunners the win.

UNLV

UNLV Rebels at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Rebels730717
Roadrunners7107024

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 20,154
  • Referee: Steve Brown
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dough Anderson (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Western Kentucky

UTSA Roadrunners at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Roadrunners1414141052
Hilltoppers101413946

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny and clear • Wind 5-10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 15,243
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Sed Bonner (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Quarterback Frank Harris threw for six touchdowns, a school record, and caught a 23-yard pass for a touchdown. [10]

Rice

Rice Owls at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Owls00000
Roadrunners171414045

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 27,515
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Louisiana Tech

No. 24 UTSA Roadrunners at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 Roadrunners71471745
Bulldogs1000616

at Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Louisiana

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 18,314
  • Referee: Jon Noli
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Hassel (play-by-play) and Patrick Murray (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At UTEP

UTSA Roadrunners at UTEP Miners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Roadrunners16147744
Miners637723

at Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

Game information

Southern Miss

Southern Miss Golden Eagles at No. 23 UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Golden Eagles0107017
No. 23 Roadrunners01071027

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 30,105
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

UAB

UAB Blazers at No. 22 UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Blazers14100731
No. 22 Roadrunners71010734

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 35,147
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Doug Anderson (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At North Texas

No. 22 UTSA Roadrunners at North Texas Mean Green – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 22 Roadrunners31001023
Mean Green171414045

at Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Rain
  • Game attendance: 16,933
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kyle Youmans (play-by-play) and Hek’ma Harrison (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Western Kentucky (C-USA Championship game)

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at UTSA Roadrunners (C-USA Championship game) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Hilltoppers103131541
Roadrunners141414749

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

Game information

Vs. No. 24 San Diego State (Frisco Bowl)

UTSA Roadrunners vs. No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs (Frisco Bowl) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Roadrunners14010024
No. 24 Aztecs71014738

at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 15,801
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Rocky Boiman (analyst) and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)
Game information

Rankings

The Roadrunners received votes from both national polls after a win against Memphis. It marked the second time in program history, being recognized in the AP Poll. [11]

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP RVRVRV242316151515RV24RV
Coaches RVRVRVRVRV252218161820RV25RV
CFP Not released232222Not released

References

  1. "UTSA rallies past Memphis, completes largest comeback in school history". University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. KENS. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  2. Mendoza, Madalyn (October 11, 2021). "San Antonio is celebrating UTSA football's historic season after another win". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. "UTSA ranked No. 24 in AP Top 25, No. 25 in AFCA Coaches Poll". KSAT. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  4. "C-USA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish For 2021". Conference USA. July 19, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Luca, Greg (January 27, 2021). "UTSA football adds 2023 game at Tennessee, finalizes 2021 Conference USA slate". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  6. "Roadrunners announce full 2021 schedule..." University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  7. "2021 UTSA Roadrunners Football Schedule". FBSchedule. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. "Football Coaches". UTSA Athletics. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  9. "2021 UTSA football roster". goutsa.com.
  10. "UTSA quarterback Frank Harris named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week". KENS. October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  11. "UTSA receiving votes in both national polls". University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.