Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners
Overall Rank: #78
#3 C-USA
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Texas-San Antonio should waste little time reaching a bowl game. Eligible for a bowl game for the first time, the Roadrunners return a deep and talented squad that will compete for a Conference USA title. Coach Larry Coker’s squad was in the WAC in 2012, their first in the FBS, and went 8-4. Last year in C-USA then went 7-5. As an FBS transitional team they were not bowl eligible either season. This time they are. And this time they should go bowling.
2013 Record: (7-5, 6-2)
2013 Bowl: None
Coach: Larry Coker (19-15 at UTSA, 77-30 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Brown
Defensive Coordinator: Neal Neathery
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: David Glasco II, RB, 496 yards
Passing: Tucker Carter, QB, 190 yards
Receiving: Cam Jones, WR, 345 yards
Tackles: Triston Wade, S, 94
Sacks: Cody Brooks, DE, 5.0; Robert Singletary, DE, 5.0
Interceptions: Triston Wade, S, 2
Other Key Returnees: WR Kenny Bias, WR Brandon Freeman, TE Cole Hubble, S Nic Johnston, LB Drew Douglas, DE Cody Rogers, S Brian King, OL Scott Inskeep
Key Losses: QB Eric Soza, LB Steven Kurfehs, RB Evans Okotcha, TE Jeremiah Moeller
Strengths:
With ten starters returning, the UTSA defense should be even better than they were last year. The unit as a whole drastically improved as the 2013 campaign progressed and they allowed just 11.25 points per game during their last four contests. It all starts on the line with a potent run defense. Tackle Ashaad Mabry leads the inside of the line and ends Cody Brooks and Robert Singletary tallied 5.0 sacks apiece. The two linebacker spots are a bit thin without Steven Kurfehs, but Drew Douglas is back and Jens Jeters is a senior who should be ready to step into a starting role. The secondary will again be led by Triston Wade. The free safety recorded 94 tackles. Fellow senior safeties Brian King and Nic Johnston are also back. With even more experienced upperclassmen at cornerback, including Crosby Adams, Bennett Okotcha and Darrien Starling, UTSA has one of the most experienced defenses around.
Weaknesses:
The Roadrunners offense returns nine starters, but quarterback Eric Soza is not one of them. Soza threw for 2,719 yards and 12 touchdowns and added seven more scores on the ground. Soza will be replaced by Tucker Carter. The 6-3 senior only threw 33 passes backing up Soza in 2013, but after a solid spring, he should be ready to lead the offense. Meanwhile, UTSA will rely more on running back David Glasco. He rushed for 496 yards and five touchdowns while splitting carries with Evans Okotcha and Soza. Now it is Glasco’s turn to take a bulk of the carries and he is more than capable. With an impressive amount of talent and experience on the line, led by Scott Inskeep, Glasco will be in for a big year. The line will also give Carter plenty of time to operate. The top ten pass catchers are back as well, but the team does lack a true, big-time playmaker at wideout.
The Bottom Line:
Coach Coker obviously knows how to win games and knows how to win championships. The non-conference slate is tough, with games against Houston, Arizona and Oklahoma State. UTSA lost to those three times last year. Marshall is not on the schedule, but those two are the favorites to meet in the championship game.
Projected Bowl: New Mexico Bowl
2013 Team Stats: (no rankings – reclassifying)
Rushing Offense: 175.4
Passing Offense: 242.4
Total Offense: 417.8
Scoring Offense: 25.6
Rushing Defense: 143.1
Pass Defense: 233.2
Total Defense: 376.3
Scoring Defense: 26.3
Turnover Margin: NA
Sacks: 1.75
Sacks Allowed: 1.5
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