Roadrunners remain perfect 10-0
UTSA was nearly felled by the pressure of being overwhelming favorites. The defense prevented a truly upsetting defeat. Frank Harris passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 54 yards and No. 15 UTSA overcame a sluggish performance to beat Southern Mississippi 27-17 on Saturday and remain undefeated.
“We kind of learned a lesson tonight,” Roadrunners safety Antonio Parks said. “I think this will help us and give us a boost in momentum the rest of the season.” UTSA, Georgia and Cincinnati are the only remaining unbeaten FBS teams following No. 8 Oklahoma’s 27-14 loss at No. 13 Baylor. The Roadrunners (10-0, 6-0 in Conference-USA) needed late defensive stands to avoid an upset by the Golden Eagles (1-9, 0-6).
“We made a decision as a football program to milk the clock and try to reduce the game,” Southern Miss coach Will Hall said. “We told our kids we will be in the game in the fourth quarter, don’t let it catch you off guard and our kids weren’t caught off guard. We made one less play or maybe two.” Favored by 33 1/2-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, UTSA nearly became fully ensnared in a trap game if not for its defense.
“That’s the only way you win championships,” Roadrunners coach Jeff Traylor said. “I’ve been blessed to win a few. Not once did we ever gone through and look clean on offense every one of those game. Your defense has to get it down and they got it done tonight.”
With the game tied at 17 with six minutes remaining, UTSA noseguard Jaylon Haynes recovered a fumble by Southern Miss quarterback Antavious Willis at the Golden Eagles 35. The turnover led to Hunter Duplessis’ go-ahead, 24-yard field goal with 4:39 remaining.
UTSA sealed the victory with 4:25 remaining on a fumble recovery by Charles Wiley at Southern Miss 9 after Corey Mayfield Jr. stripped Willis as he fled the pocket. Sincere McCormick scored on the ensuing play to give the Roadrunners a 27-17 lead.
