UTSA stymies nation’s top offense in Homecoming win over North Texas

SAN ANTONIO — A week after its defense had 60 points hung on them, UTSA stifled North Texas and its No. 1 ranked offense. 

Mean Green QB Tayven Jackson was 10 of 20 for 125 yards and one interception before leaving the game in the third quarter with an arm injury. The Roadrunners held North Texas standout running back Jaheim White to just 2.5 yards per carry as UTSA handed North Texas a 35-16 loss Friday at the Alamodome. 

UTSA running back A’Marion Peterson ran 11 times for 179 yards and four touchdowns. 

Jackson’s interception was a costly one. It came when North Texas was backed up on its own 4-yard line. Jackson was looking for Justin Stevenson, but the ball was tipped up into the hands of RJ Lester, who cruised in for the score. 

North Texas got on the board early in the second quarter with a 31-yard field goal from kicker Dominic De Freitas. 

On the ensuing UTSA drive, Peterson shook off would-be tacklers and rumbled his way into the endzone for a 47-yard touchdown. Both sides’ next-two possessions resulted in punts. 

On third-and-10 from the North Texas 8-yard line, Jackson hit wide receiver Baron Tipton for a 49-yard gain. During the run, Tipton juked back to avoid a tackler. The move gave UTSA linebacker Owen Pewee time to gain ground on Tipton, and Pewee punched the ball out. 

The fumble set up the Roadrunners in plus territory. McCown hit wide receiver AJ Wilson on fourth-and-four for a 22-yard gain. The conversion kept the drive alive, and Peterson eventually punched in a 2-yard touchdown.

North Texas backup quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. entered the game for Jackson early in the third quarter. On his first drive, Jimerson picked up a pair of first downs, one of which came on fourth-and-one, before finding tight end Max Reese for a 16-yard touchdown. 

Jimerson kept North Texas in the game late as UTSA’s offense sputtered. Early in the fourth quarter, the sophomore ran for 36 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown where Roadrunner defenders had him dead-to-rights. 

But when they needed it the most, the Roadrunners’ defense bowed up to Jimerson and the Mean Green. On third-and-11 with 5:44 remaining, UTSA safety Joel Rodgers made a clean open-field tackle on Jimerson to force North Texas into a fourth-and-six do-or-die situation. Money backer Bryce Grays and edge rusher Elijah Baldwin brought down Jimerson on the play and forced the turnover-on-downs. 

Peterson slammed the door shut on the Mean Green with a 38-yard rushing touchdown — and then added a 46-yard touchdown with one minute remaining for good measure. 

UTSA’s defense finished with three sacks, nine TFLs, one interception and one forced fumble. The Roadrunners held the Mean Green to their lowest offensive-yardage total of the season (304) and their lowest point total (16) since their matchup against then-No.6 Indiana. 

UTSA will next face UAB Saturday at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.

Live updates below:

McCown intercepted

Looking for Brandon Young Jr. on a screen pass, McCown was picked by North Texas LB Brenden Reese.

Mean Green punt

After two short runs, Jimerson hit Kyle Koch over the middle of the field, but Koch couldn’t reel in the catch.

UTSA punts after three short gains from Henderson

Jackson injured on first drive coming out of halftime

Jackson injured his arm on an 18-yard scramble. Backup QB Chris Jimerson Jr. has entered the game.

Jimerson eventually connected with Max Reese for a 16-yard touchdown.

UTSA 21, North Texas 10 [8:49 Q3]

Halftime: UTSA 21, North Texas 3

Peterson punches in second TD

McCown connected with AJ Wilson for a massive 22-yard pick up on fourth-and-fourth, extending the Roadrunners’ drive. Five plays later, Peterson scored from two yards out.

UTSA 21, North Texas 3 [:35 Q2]

Owen Pewee strips Baron Tipton

On third-and-10, Jackson hit Tipton for a 49-yard gain. But Pewee, in hot pursuit, punched the ball out, and Chapman recovered.

Peterson picks up chunk play, but Roadrunners eventually punt

Peterson picked up where he left off last drive, rushing for a big 23-yard gain. He exited the game for the blue tent, and the UTSA offense stalled without him.

UTSA has two interceptions, one returned for six, wiped away

Penalties are killing UTSA’s defense. After an awful drop from Cam Upshaw on a terrible ball from Jackson, Zach Morris picks Jackson anyway on the next play and returns it for a touchdown. The play was called back for holding on Asaad Chapman. UTSA forced a punt, but they should be up by 18 points right now.

A’Marion Peterson rumbles his way to a 47-yard touchdown

Who else? A’Marion Peterson, the Roadrunners’ touchdown machine, does his best Marshawn Lynch impression as he rumbles for a 47-yard touchdown.

UTSA 14, North Texas 3 [10:32 Q2]

Tucker nearly nabs end zone INT; Mean Green settle for FG

North Texas finally got its offense rolling, but not enough to find paydirt. Brandon Tucker nearly intercepted Jackson in the end zone on third-and-goal, but Tucker could not hold on.

UTSA 7, North Texas 3 [13:10 Q2]

UTSA’s offense still searching for rhythm

Outside of a 12-yard catch-and-run from David Amador, there wasn’t much going for UTSA on offense. The Roadrunners punted the ball away after an unsuccessful run on third-and-five.

Roadrunners’ defense standing strong

UTSA has forced its third straight punt. Jackson completed one pass for two yards.

RJ Lester picks Tayven Jackson and returns it for a touchdown

The Roadrunners strike first. On first-and-10 from their own 4-yard line, North Texas QB Tayven Jackson tried to hit his receiver near the right boundary, but it was tipped up and into the hands of Lester, who returned it for a TD.

UTSA 7, North Texas 0 [9:33 Q1]

UTSA punts again despite strong start with Will Henderson run

Will Henderson broke loose for a 24-yard run, but the Roadrunners were unable to capitalize on it.

Elijah Newell makes a strong tackle to force a North Texas punt

After a big TFL on first down from Bryce Grays, UTSA forced a three-and-out, helped by a strong tackle from Newell on third-and-11.

UTSA punts on first drive

After a short run and two quick incompletions, UTSA will punt.

North Texas wins the toss, and will defer