2021 UTSA Roadrunners football
C-USA champion
C-USA West Division champion
ConferenceConference USA
DivisionWest Division
Record12–2 (7–1 C-USA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBarry Lunney Jr. (2nd season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorRod Wright (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJess Loepp (1st season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumAlamodome
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Conference USA football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Western Kentucky xy   7 – 1     9 – 5  
Marshall   5 – 3     7 – 6  
Old Dominion   5 – 3     6 – 7  
Middle Tennessee   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Florida Atlantic   3 – 5     5 – 7  
Charlotte   3 – 5     5 – 7  
FIU   0 – 8     1 – 11  
West Division
UTSA xy$   7 – 1     12 – 2  
UAB   6 – 2     9 – 4  
North Texas   5 – 3     6 – 7  
UTEP   4 – 4     7 – 6  
Rice   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Southern Miss   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Louisiana Tech   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Championship: UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The 2021 UTSA Roadrunners football team represented the University of Texas at San Antonio during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Roadrunners played their home games at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C-USA). The team was coached by second-year head coach Jeff Traylor.

After a win against Memphis on September 25, UTSA became 4–0 for the first time since the 2012 season.[1] Two weeks later, on October 9, the program became 6–0 for the first time in its history after defeating Western Kentucky.[2] A week later, on the weekend of October 16, the program entered the national polls for the first time, reaching No. 24 in the AP poll and No. 25 in the Coaches poll.[3] The Roadrunners remained undefeated for the first time in its history until their 23–45 loss in the final game of the regular season against North Texas Mean Green football team. A 34–31 victory over UAB clinched the Conference USA Western Division title, their first in program history. The win also confirmed that the Roadrunners would play in their first conference championship game in program history, which they won 49–41 over WKU on December 3.

Preseason

C-USA media days

The Roadrunners were predicted to finish in second place in the West Division in the Conference USA preseason poll.[4]

Media poll (West Division)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 UAB (15)
2 UTSA (9)
3 Louisiana Tech
4 Southern Miss
5 Rice
6 North Texas
7 UTEP

Schedule and results

UTSA announced its 2021 football schedule on January 27, 2021.[5][6] The 2021 schedule consisted of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:30 p.m.at Illinois*
BTNW 37–3033,906
September 115:00 p.m.Lamar*
ESPN3W 54–016,229
September 185:00 p.m.Middle Tennessee
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 27–1316,202
September 252:30 p.m.at Memphis*
ESPNUW 31–2829,264
October 25:00 p.m.UNLV*
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 24–1720,154
October 96:00 p.m.at Western Kentucky
StadiumW 52–4615,243
October 165:00 p.m.Ricedagger
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 45–027,515
October 236:00 p.m.at Louisiana TechNo. 24
StadiumW 45–1618,314
November 69:15 p.m.at UTEP
ESPN2W 44–2331,658
November 132:30 p.m.Southern MissNo. 23
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 27–1730,105
November 202:30 p.m.UABNo. 22
  • Alamodome
  • San Antonio, TX
ESPN+W 34–3135,167
November 271:00 p.m.at North TexasNo. 22
ESPN+L 23–4516,933
December 36:00 p.m.Western Kentucky
CBSSNW 49–4141,148
December 216:30 p.m.vs. No. 24 San Diego State*
ESPNL 24–3815,801
Schedule Source:[5][7]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Name Position Consecutive season at
UTSA in current position 		Alma Mater
Jeff Traylor Head coach 2 Stephen F. Austin (1990)
Barry Lunney Jr. Associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 2 Arkansas (1996)
Jess Loepp Co-defensive coordinator/safeties 2 University of Central Oklahoma (2000)
Rod Wright Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line 3 Texas (2011)
Tommy Perry Special teams coordinator 2 Texas A&M (2003)
Matt Mattox Offensive line/Run Game Coordinator 2 Houston (2005)
Will Stein Wide receivers/Passing Game Coordinator 2 Louisville (2011)
Nick Graham Cornerbacks 2 Tulsa (2013)
Julian Griffin Running backs 2 Louisiana–Monroe (2012)
Brad Sherrod Linebackers 1 Duke (1993)
Kurt Traylor Tight ends 2 Texas A&M–Commerce (1995)
Reference:[8]

Roster

2021 UTSA Roadrunners Football

Quarterback

  • 0 – Frank Harris – Senior (6'0, 200)
  • 8 – Josh Adkins – Senior (6'2, 220)
  • 10 – Lowell Narcisse– Senior (6'2, 255)
  • 12 – Eddie Lee Marburger – Freshman (6'3, 205)
  • 18 – Cam Peters – Freshman (6'4, 205)
  • 19 – Zach Rangel – Redshirt Junior (6'2, 205)

Running back

  • 3 – Sincere McCormick - Junior (5'9, 205)
  • 5 – Brenden Brady - Senior (5'11, 215)
  • 17 – Kaedric Cobbs - Sophomore (5'10, 210)
  • 21 – Justin Rodriguez - Freshman (5'7, 180)
  • 28 – Jaylon Lott - Sophomore (6'0, 215)
  • 30 – De'Anthony Lewis - Freshman (6'1, 195)
  • 31 – Kevorian Barnes - Freshman (5'10, 195)
  • 33 – B.J. Daniels - Senior (6'1, 210)

Wide receiver

  • 2 – Joshua Cephus – Junior (6'3, 190)
  • 4 – Zakhari Franklin – Junior (6'1, 185)
  • 11 – Tykee Ogle-Kellogg – Junior (6'5, 200)
  • 13 – Sheldon Jones – Senior (5'9, 160)
  • 14 – Isaiah Davis – Sophomore (6'1, 195)
  • 15 – Cade Stoever – Redshirt Junior (5'10, 190)
  • 19 – Julon Williams – Redshirt Junior (5'9, 190)
  • 24 – Dre Spriggs – Freshman (6'3, 170)
  • 29 – Kyle Eaves – Freshman (5'9, 145)
  • 32 – Karch Gardiner – Sophomore (5'9, 180)
  • 81 – Tre'Von Bradley – Junior (6'1, 185)
  • 82 – Jaren Randle – Freshman (6'2, 185)
  • 83 – Gregory Clayton Jr. – Senior (5'10, 180)
  • 85 – Kennedy Lewis – Freshman (6'3, 190)
  • 88 – De'Corian Clark – Junior (6'2, 210)

Placekicker

  • 5 - Hunter Duplessis - Senior (5'9, 190)
  • 92 - Everett Ornstein - Sophomore (6'0, 175)
  • 34 - Colby McBerty - Freshman (6'5, 180)

Punter

  • 35 - Lucas Dean - Junior (6'2, 205)
  • 91 - Ethan Laing - Freshman (5'11, 190)
  

Tight end

  • 1 - Leroy Watson - Senior (6'5, 275)
  • 16 - Allen Horace II - Sophomore (6'4, 250)
  • 34 - JaCorey Hyder - Freshman (6'3, 245)
  • 37 - Myles Benning - Senior (6'0, 250)
  • 45 - Ke'Chawn Compton - Junior (6'2, 240)
  • 80 - Dan Dishman - Freshman (6'5, 235)
  • 84 - Oscar Cardenas - Sophomore (6'4, 275)
  • 86 - Peter Gray - Junior (6'4, 250)
  • 87 - Gavin Sharp - Senior (6'5, 235)

Offensive lineman

  • 55 - Ahofitu Maka - Senior (6'3, 335)
  • 56 - Alex Wyant - Junior (6'5, 310)
  • 58 - Terrell Haynes - Junior (6'3, 340)
  • 61 - Kevin Davis - Senior (6'3, 335)
  • 62 - Robert Rigsby - Freshman (6'4, 330)
  • 63 - Jordan Brown - Freshman (6'3, 325)
  • 64 - Ernesto Almaraz - Junior (6'2, 295)
  • 65 - Kamron Scott - Freshman (6'4, 340)
  • 66 - Dominic Pastucci - Senior (6'5, 315)
  • 68 - Frankie Martinez - Freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 69 - Monte Williams - Sophomore (6'2, 310)
  • 70 - Jalyn Galmore - Senior (6'5, 295)
  • 71 - Rudy Aleman Jr. - Junior (6'1, 315)
  • 72 - River Gordon - Freshman (6'4, 305)
  • 73 - Demetris Allen - Sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 74 - Spencer Burford - Senior (6'5, 295)
  • 75 - Brandon Rolfe - Redshirt Senior (6'3, 310)
  • 76 - Luke Lapeze - Freshman (6'5, 305)
  • 77 - Makai Hart - Senior (6'4, 300)
  • 78 - Daniel Santallana - Freshman (6'3, 295)
  • 79 - Ronnie Garza - Freshman (6'6, 295)

Defensive lineman

  • 1 - Jaylon Haynes - Senior (6'2, 300)
  • 6 - Lorenzo Dantzler - Senior (6'1, 260)
  • 17 - Asyrus Simon - Sophomore (6'4, 265)
  • 33 - Lamonte McDougle - Junior (6'0, 290)
  • 44 - Ronald Triplette - Freshman (6'2, 260)
  • 49 - Trumane Bell II - Junior (6'2, 255)
  • 50 - Jaden Jones - Freshman (6'2, 300)
  • 90 - Brandon Brown - Freshman (6'2, 305)
  • 95 - Christian Clayton - Sophomore (6'2, 275)
  • 97 - Walker Baty - Sophomore (6'3, 290)
  • 99 - Brandon Matterson - Senior (6'2, 290)
  

Outside Linebacker

  • 2 - Charles Wiley - Senior (6'3, 255)
  • 7 - Dadrian Taylor - Redshirt Senior (5'11, 175)
  • 9 - Clarence Hicks - Senior (6'2, 225)
  • 12 - Donyai Taylor - Sophomore (6'1, 205)
  • 18 - Malik Jones - Sophomore (6'2, 190)
  • 40 - Jimmori Robinson - Sophomore (6'6, 235)
  • 45 - DeQuarius Henry - Senior (6'3, 240)
  • 54 - Caleb Lewis - Freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 56 - Trey Moore - Freshman (6'2, 250)

Inside Linebacker

  • 8 - Jamal Ligon - Sophomore (6'2, 220)
  • 15 - Trevor Harmanson - Senior (6'3, 225)
  • 16 - Dru Prox - Senior (6'2, 225)
  • 20 - Denzel Feaster - Senior (6'3, 225)
  • 20 - Cameron Wilkins - Senior (6'2, 230)
  • 25 - Avery Morris - Sophomore (6'2, 225)
  • 32 - Caden Holt - Freshman (6'1, 215)
  • 37 - Nate Hawkins - Freshman (6'0, 220)
  • 38 - Tyler Mahnke - Senior (6'3, 235)
  • 39 - Kyle Wakefield - Junior (6'0, 210)
  • 41 - De'Marco Guidry - Senior (6'0, 220)

Safety

  • 0 - Rashad Wisdom - Junior (5'9, 205)
  • 4 - Antonio Parks - Senior (5'8, 190)
  • 10 - Clifford Chattman - Senior (6'5, 190)
  • 11 - Kelechi Nwachuku - Junior (6'0, 210)
  • 13 - Jahmal Sam - Sophomore (5'9, 185)
  • 22 - Ryan Shockency - Redshirt Junior (6'0, 185)
  • 27 - Jarrett Preston - Redshirt Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 28 - Je'Vaun Dabon - Sophomore (6'1, 180)
  • 35 - Ronald Gurley - Freshman (6'2, 210)

Cornerback

  • 3 - Tariq Woolen - Redshirt Senior (6'4, 205)
  • 14 - Dywan Griffin - Junior (5'11, 180)
  • 16 - JayVeon Cardwell - Junior (5'11, 195)
  • 21 - Ken Robinson - Redshirt Sophomore (5'11, 175)
  • 23 - Xavier Spencer - Sophomore (6'1, 185)
  • 24 - Jalen Rainey - Freshman (6'4, 200)
  • 26 - Corey Mayfield Jr. - Senior (5'11, 190)
  • 29 - Xavier Player - Freshman (6'0, 175)
  • 36 - Sean Berry - Sophomore (5'10, 175)'

Long snappers

  • 52 - Cade Collenback - Junior (6'2, 240)
  • 53 - Caleb Cantrell - Senior (5'11, 215)
Source and player details, 2021 UTSA Football Roster (09/16/2021):[9]

Game summaries

At Illinois

See also: 2021 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
UTSA Roadrunners at Illinois Fighting Illini – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Roadrunners 7 13 31437
Fighting Illini 0 14 31330

at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

  • Date: September 4
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: W 3 MPH
  • Game attendance: 33,906
  • Referee: Greg Blum
  • TV announcers (BTN): Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst) and Coley Harvey (sideline)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Lamar

See also: 2021 Lamar Cardinals football team
Lamar Cardinals at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 0 000
Roadrunners 13 21 101054

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 16,229
  • Referee: Tobian Johnson
  • TV announcers (ESPN3): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Middle Tennessee

See also: 2021 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Blue Raiders 0 0 01313
Roadrunners 7 3 71027

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 16,202
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Memphis

See also: 2021 Memphis Tigers football team
UTSA Roadrunners at Memphis Tigers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Roadrunners 0 7 71731
Tigers 21 0 7028

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: W 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 29,624
  • Referee: Joe Lehring
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): John Schriffen (play-by-play) and Rene Ingoglia (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

The Tigers scored 21 unanswered points in the 1st quarter, the first time all season that the Roadrunners trailed in a game. UTSA scored 17 unanswered points in the 4th quarter for the win. Hunter Duplessis nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired to give the Roadrunners the win.

UNLV

See also: 2021 UNLV Rebels football team
UNLV Rebels at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Rebels 7 3 0717
Roadrunners 7 10 7024

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 20,154
  • Referee: Steve Brown
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dough Anderson (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Western Kentucky

See also: 2021 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football team
UTSA Roadrunners at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Roadrunners 14 14 141052
Hilltoppers 10 14 13946

at Houchens Industries–L. T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Kentucky

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny and clear • Wind 5-10 MPH
  • Game attendance: 15,243
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Sed Bonner (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Quarterback Frank Harris threw for six touchdowns, a school record, and caught a 23-yard pass for a touchdown.[10]

Rice

See also: 2021 Rice Owls football team
Rice Owls at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Owls 0 0 000
Roadrunners 17 14 14045

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 27,515
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At Louisiana Tech

See also: 2021 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
No. 24 UTSA Roadrunners at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 24 Roadrunners 7 14 71745
Bulldogs 10 0 0616

at Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Louisiana

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 18,314
  • Referee: Jon Noli
  • TV announcers (Stadium): Chris Hassel (play-by-play) and Patrick Murray (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At UTEP

See also: 2021 UTEP Miners football team
UTSA Roadrunners at UTEP Miners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Roadrunners 16 14 7744
Miners 6 3 7723

at Sun Bowl, El Paso, Texas

Game information

Southern Miss

See also: 2021 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team
Southern Miss Golden Eagles at No. 23 UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Golden Eagles 0 10 7017
No. 23 Roadrunners 0 10 71027

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 30,105
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lincoln Rose (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

UAB

See also: 2021 UAB Blazers football team
UAB Blazers at No. 22 UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Blazers 14 10 0731
No. 22 Roadrunners 7 10 10734

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 35,147
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Doug Anderson (play-by-play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

At North Texas

See also: 2021 North Texas Mean Green football team
No. 22 UTSA Roadrunners at North Texas Mean Green – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 22 Roadrunners 3 10 01023
Mean Green 17 14 14045

at Apogee Stadium, Denton, Texas

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 54 °F (12 °C) • Weather: Rain
  • Game attendance: 16,933
  • Referee: Rodney Burnette
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Kyle Youmans (play-by-play) and Hek’ma Harrison (analyst)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Western Kentucky (C-USA Championship game)

Main article: 2021 Conference USA Football Championship Game
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at UTSA Roadrunners (C-USA Championship game) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 10 3 131541
Roadrunners 14 14 14749

at Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 41,148
  • Referee: Kevin Randall
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Rich Waltz (play-by-play), Aaron Taylor (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline)
  • Box score, Recap
Game information

Vs. No. 24 San Diego State (Frisco Bowl)

Main article: 2021 Frisco Bowl

See also: 2021 San Diego State Aztecs football team
UTSA Roadrunners vs. No. 24 San Diego State Aztecs (Frisco Bowl) – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Roadrunners 14 0 10024
No. 24 Aztecs 7 10 14738

at Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NW 6 MPH
  • Game attendance: 15,801
  • Referee: Ron Hudson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Clay Matvick (play-by-play), Rocky Boiman (analyst) and Tiffany Blackmon (sideline)
Game information

Rankings

Further information: 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

The Roadrunners received votes from both national polls after a win against Memphis. It marked the second time in program history, being recognized in the AP Poll.[11]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP————RVRVRV242316151515RV24RV
Coaches——RVRVRVRVRV252218161820RV25RV
CFPNot released—232222——Not released

References

  1. ^ "UTSA rallies past Memphis, completes largest comeback in school history". University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. KENS. September 25, 2021. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  2. ^ Mendoza, Madalyn (October 11, 2021). "San Antonio is celebrating UTSA football's historic season after another win". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  3. ^ "UTSA ranked No. 24 in AP Top 25, No. 25 in AFCA Coaches Poll". KSAT. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "C-USA Announces Media's Predicted Order of Finish For 2021". Conference USA. July 19, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Luca, Greg (January 27, 2021). "UTSA football adds 2023 game at Tennessee, finalizes 2021 Conference USA slate". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "Roadrunners announce full 2021 schedule..." University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  7. ^ "2021 UTSA Roadrunners Football Schedule". FBSchedule. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  8. ^ "Football Coaches". UTSA Athletics. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "2021 UTSA football roster". goutsa.com.
  10. ^ "UTSA quarterback Frank Harris named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week". KENS. October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "UTSA receiving votes in both national polls". University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Athletics. September 26, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
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