A’Marion Peterson rushes for 3 TDs as UTSA downs South Florida 

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA QB Owen McCown orchestrated a game-winning drive, marching the Roadrunners down the field with 1:56 remaining to beat South Florida 31-24 Thursday at the Alamodome. Running back A’Marion Peterson punched in the game-winner, capping off a breakout performance. He finished with 12 carries for 92 yards and three touchdowns.

South Florida running back DJ Crowther put the Bulls ahead on their opening drive, evading tacklers and turning the corner for a 15-yard score. 

Two drives later, Peterson scored untouched off a direct snap from 53 yards out, tying the game 7-7 with 3:13 remaining in the first quarter. South Florida QB Michael Van Buren picked up his third passing touchdown of the season on the ensuing Bulls’ possession, connecting with wide receiver Bryson Rodgers for a 42-yard score.

Both sides exchanged field goals, and South Florida led 17-10 at halftime. 

UTSA came out of halftime and drove 75 yards in eight plays. Peterson capped off the drive with his second touchdown of the night, a 2-yard score. The Roadrunners took their first lead of the game with 2:04 remaining in the third off a 41-yard field goal from kicker Michael Petro. 

Petro notched his third field goal of the game from 31 yards out with 8:21 remaining. 

The Bulls recovered from a near-INT late in the fourth and scored an 11-yard touchdown after Crowther was left uncovered on a wheel route.

Peterson scored the final touchdown with 16 seconds remaining.

UTSA will next face Navy at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome. 

Drive-by-drive updates from earlier below:

Bulls recover from near INT, score TD to take late lead

On second-and-12, Jeremiah Bailey hit Van Buren’s hand, and his pass floated up into the hands of Bryce Grays. But Grays and Rodgers collided, and Grays dropped the ball. Ahamad Chapman was called for pass interference on the play after review ruled the ball was NOT tipped at the line of scrimmage. The Bulls settled in and marched down the field, eventually scoring an 11-yard TD to take the lead with 1:56 left.

Petro’s third field goal of the game give UTSA a 23-17 lead

David Amador continued piecing together his best performance of the season with a 16-yard catch-and-run on second down. Peterson strung together five rushes for 24 yards. Henderson then rushed twice for a first down, setting UTSA up on the South Florida 17. On third-and-five, McCown was stifled on a designed run. Petro nailed his third field goal of the day to put UTSA up 23-17 with 8:21 remaining in the game.

UTSA defense forces another quick three-and-out

Van Buren threw two incompletions, including one on third down, as UTSA forced a second straight punt from South Florida.

Petro puts UTSA up 20-17 late in the third

A chunk play by Anderson helped UTSA negate a 6-yard sack on second down. McCown then found a wide-open Henderson for a 15-yard gain. Henderson ran for 3 yards, and McCown threw an incomplete pass, leaving it third-and-seven for UTSA on its 49-yard line. McCown found Henderson once again for a huge third-down pickup. McCown called his own name on the next play for an 8-yard gain, and picked up the first down on the next play with a 2-yard scamper. McCown then connected with Jamel Hardy for a 7-yard gain. On third down, McCown threw the ball away. Petro drilled the 41-yard field goal, putting UTSA up 20-17 with 2:04 left in the third.

Cam Cooper notches huge TFL, South Florida forced to punt

South Florida picked up a quick first down on two plays, but a TFL by Cam Cooper set them back. Van Buren kept the ball on third-and-long, but was unable to pick up the first down. South Florida punted.

Peterson’s second TD ties game for UTSA; Breland hurt on the score

After a quiet first half, Henderson picked up a first down on an 11-yard rush. UTSA opened up the playbook on the next play with a double reverse to Mekhi Anderson for a gain of 30. McCown then connected with Amador and TJ West to move into the Bulls’ red zone. Henderson nearly scored on an outside rush, but was pushed out of bounds at the five. Henderson picked up the first down on second-and-two. A direct snap to Peterson on the next play was stuffed, but Peterson found paydirt on the same call on the next play – a 2-yard touchdown. The play was reviewed, but confirmed as a touchdown. UTSA ties the game 17-17 with 10:28 left in the second quarter. NOTE: UTSA tackle A’marion Breland had to be helped off the field with a leg injury.

HALFTIME: South Florida 17, UTSA 10

Stats:

Owen McCown: 12-18, 112 passing yards, 21 rushing yards

A’Marion Peterson: two rushes, 58 yards and one touchdown

David Amador: six catches, 43 yards

UTSA offense: 215 total yards (112 passing, 103 rushing), 6-60 penalties, 9 first downs, 3-7 on third down

Joel Rodgers: Five tackles, two solo

UTSA defense: 34 tackles, zero sacks, zero TFLs

South Florida punts with 17 seconds remaining in the half

Two incompletions and a 6-yard gain from Crowther lead to a South Florida punt. UTSA has 10 seconds to work with in the half.

UTSA turns the ball over on downs

After a short gain from McCown to Young, McCown and Amador connected on a 14-yard pass. McCown then called his own number for a 19-yard scramble, putting UTSA on the South Florida 39. A 1-yard rush from Will Henderson and an incomplete third-down pass set up fourth down for UTSA. Jeff Traylor chose to leave the offense on the field after both teams used timeouts. McCown was sacked on fourth down. UTSA trails 17-10 with 32 seconds remaining in the half.

Brandon Tucker ejected for targeting, Bulls settle for field goal

After a botched snap, Van Buren hit Cam Seldon for a six-yard gain. UTSA linebacker Brandon Tucker laid a huge hit on Seldon, and Seldon was slow to get up. After review, Tucker was ejected for targeting. South Florida drove down the field on a Tucker-less UTSA defense, getting to the Roadrunners’ six-yard line. Van Buren was stuffed on a QB keeper, and the Bulls kicked a 24-yard field goal to go up 17-7 with 1:58 left in the half.

Roadrunners’ drive stalls out after penalty, three incompletions

After a big catch-and-run from Amador, a false start from Davion Hurth and two incompletions from McCown put the Roadrunners on third-and-15. On third down, McCown misfired on a checkdown pass, forcing out the punt unit. South Florida takes over on their 34-yard line, leading 14-10 with 7:17 left in the half.

UTSA forces a quick three-and-out from the Bulls

South Florida could only muster one yard on the drive. Van Buren had three incompletions. An illegal block in the back on the punt from Ahamad Chapman sets UTSA up on their own 16-yard line. The Roadrunners trail 10-14 with 8:51 remaining in the half.

Michael Petro hits 26-yard field goal for UTSA

McCown and tight end Brandon Young connected twice for 31 yards, putting UTSA in plus territory. A false start on South Florida made it third-and-manageable for the Roadrunners. McCown then called his own number for the first down. Four consecutive Brandon High Jr. rushes put UTSA on the South Florida 14-yard line. On third-and-5 from the Bulls’ eight-yard line, McCown’s pass to Wilson was off-target, forcing out the special teams unit. UTSA trails South Florida 14-10 with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter.

Van Buren Jr. heaves 42-yard touchdown; Bulls retake lead

UTSA had South Florida dead to rights on fourth-and-two on the UTSA 45-yard line. Crowther narrowly picked up the first down, and on the next play, Van Buren connected with Bryson Rodgers for a 42-yard touchdown pass. A little Rodgers-on-Rodgers action there as Bryson burned UTSA’s Joel Rodgers for the score. South Florida leads 14-7 as we enter the second quarter.

A’Marion Peterson takes a direct snap for a 53-yard touchdown

Facing second-and-20, Owen McCown hit AJ Wilson for a massive 27-yard gain. Two plays later, A’Marion Peterson took a direct snap 53 yards to the house. The Roadrunners have tied the game 7-7 with 3:13 remaining in the opening quarter. Peterson’s fifth touchdown of the season leads the team.

UTSA’s defense steps up to force a South Florida punt

On third-and-one, Crowther would have picked up a first down for the Bulls, but a holding penalty pushed them back. Michael Van Buren’s pass to Cam Seldon on third-and-11 was dropped, forcing the punt team out. UTSA will take over on their 22 with 5:24 remaining in the first quarter.

Roadrunners are forced to punt on first drive

Not much of a response from UTSA after South Florida’s opening drive. Three short gains set up a fourth-and-one, and it looked like South Florida jumped offsides to give UTSA a fresh set of downs, but the call was a false start on guard Davion Hurth.

South Florida strikes first

What noise? South Florida cruised down the field, gaining 65 yards in 10 plays on its opening drive and scoring on a 15-yard run by running back DJ Crowther. Bulls lead 7-0 with 10:27 left in the first quarter.

UTSA shuffles offensive line once again

After missing last week, UTSA starting guard Ben Rios wasn’t listed on the Roadrunners’ earlier injury report, but it looks like UTSA is rolling with sophomore guard Davion Hurth, at least to start. Left tackle Jonah Miller played the second half against Rice last week, and it appears he will make his first start at the position in place of A’marion Breland.