UTSA’s defense shines in loss to No. 1 Texas as offense stalls

AUSTIN, Texas — If you’re going to beat the No. 1 team in the nation, you’re going to have to play near-perfect football. That possibility flew out the window on the opening play after senior quarterback Owen McCown’s pass popped off senior wide receiver DJ Allen’s hands and into Longhorns linebacker Rasheem Biles’ hands. 

Still, UTSA football stayed in the game longer than most could have predicted, in large part thanks to their defense, but offensive struggles and penalties kept the Roadrunners from stunning The University of Texas at Austin as the Longhorns eventually handed UTSA a 30-6 loss Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. 

“[They’re] scrappy-ass kids, man,” coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. “Defense played way above their head. Offense couldn’t get out of our own way — four offensive holding penalties, an OPI. Special teams were unbelievable — we punted it, we kicked it, we covered it. Every time we got anything going, we got a flag.” 

After the opening-play interception, Texas quickly punched in its first touchdown as Arch Manning hit wide receiver Cam Coleman across the center of the Roadrunners’ defense, and Coleman powered over UTSA sophomore safety Elijah Newell for the score. 

The Roadrunners’ ensuing possession resulted in a 34-yard field goal from junior kicker Michael Petro. The Longhorns responded with a field goal of their own near the end of the opening quarter. Manning found Coleman once again early in the second to go up 17-3. 

UTSA’s defense continued to hold steady as the offense punted on four consecutive drives, forcing a Texas turnover on downs and a punt. The Longhorns eventually settled for a 34-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the half. 

The Roadrunners’ defense forced another three-and-out on the Longhorns’ first drive coming out of the break, and the UTSA offense rewarded them with a quick field goal drive. 

That was all the Roadrunners’ offense could muster up for the remainder of the game, but the defense continued standing tall against Manning and the Longhorns. Texas settled for another field goal midway through the third quarter before turning it over on downs at the UTSA 14-yard line. 

“I’m very proud of us,” senior linebacker Brandon Tucker said. “I think everybody fought, and coming into a big game like this [that’s] important.” 

The score wasn’t particularly close, but the UTSA defense kept rising to the occasion and stifling the Longhorns. Eventually, the dam broke, and Texas running back Derek Cooper sealed the win with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. 

“There’s value [in the loss]. It’s just not in my nature,” Traylor said. “I didn’t come here to lose close and be respectable. I came here to win championships and change kids’ lives. That’s what I want to do. We’re working hard at it. 

“Like I said, we played championship defense tonight. That’s a big, big sign. We had championship special teams. That’s a big sign. If you knew how hard we worked on penalties this week — hand placement, leverage, pad level — it’s so frustrating when you worked that hard, and we didn’t get it done.” 

The Roadrunners finished with 12 penalties for 119 yards, and a majority of them were drive killers. McCown struggled passing with just 14-of-23 for 70 yards against a ferocious Texas pass rush. Conversely, Tucker’s performance highlighted an all-timer from UTSA’s defense as he led the unit with 11 total tackles and one sack. As a team, UTSA had 95 total tackles, including two massive hits on Manning.

“Oh man, that excited me,” Tucker said of the hits on Manning. “A big-name guy like that is important. That was the plan to go after and attack him. The fact that you get pressure in his face, get a couple sacks, a couple big hits — that was important for us.”

UTSA will close out its non-conference schedule against Colorado State University at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Alamodome.