UTSA Roadrunners defensive lineman Jeremiah Bailey (0) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the Colorado State Rams in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday, Sept., 26, 2026.
Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News
Aiming to continue the program’s best start since 2021, UTSA visits Rice to open the American Conference season, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Saturday in Houston.
A win would move the Roadrunners to 4-1 on the year, setting the table for a showdown against undefeated South Florida with an ESPN spotlight at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Alamodome.
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UTSA is also looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss from the program’s last visit to Houston, as Rice converted an 18-yard touchdown pass with four seconds remaining to pull out a 29-27 victory.
Much has changed with Rice since then, as second-year coach Scott Abell installed an option running attack that is poised to test UTSA’s struggling run defense.
Follow along for live updates and analysis:
The Roadrunners’ defense delivered three straight stops to close the half, but UTSA was unable to extend the lead, carrying a 16-7 advantage into the break.
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UTSA turned its first four drives into three field goals and a touchdown before Owen McCown was intercepted as he tried to force a pass over the middle on third-and-10. Pinned inside their 1-yard line with less than a minute to play before halftime, the Roadrunners elected to run out the clock and take a lead into the break.
Against Rice’s run-heavy, triple-option approach, UTSA built a 106-75 advantage in rushing through the first two quarters, keeping control of the game.
The Roadrunners covered 62 yards in seven plays without attempting a pass, as Will Henderson broke off runs of 19 and 17 yards while Mekhi Anderson took an end-around for 23 yards.
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But UTSA’s push stalled at the 3-yard line, and the Roadrunners settled for another field goal, going up 16-7 late in the second quarter.
After Owen McCown found David Amador down the middle to convert third-and-14 with a 17-yard strike, the Roadrunners rushed to the line and handed to Will Henderson for a 12-yard rushing score.
Henderson bounced around the right side and used his speed to beat Rice’s defense to the pylon, giving UTSA a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter.
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The Roadrunners have scored on all three possessions, covering 75 yards across 13 plays on the most recent drive.
Showing off the threats that come with a triple option, Rice used a pre-snap motion to get UTSA’s defense flowing the wrong direction, then ran an option to the left. Quarterback Jacurri Brown broke through for a 38-yard rushing touchdown as the Owls poked ahead 7-6 with 3:09 to play in the opening quarter.
The Roadrunners held the Owls to zero total yards across the first two drives before Rice broke off a 75-yard, 10-play march, converting a fourth-and-4 situation with an 11-yard pass.
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Michael Petro connected from 53 yards out to mark the second-longest field goal in UTSA’s history, and the Roadrunners extended their lead to 6-0 against the Owls with 8:41 to play in the opening quarter.
Roadrunners coach Jeff Traylor again elected a kick over an attempt to convert fourth-and-6 from Rice’s 35-yard line. UTSA’s defense has been stout to start, using an extra nose tackle with just one cornerback against Rice’s triple-option offense.
Rice fumbled the option pitch on the first offensive snap to give UTSA prime field position, but the Roadrunners converted the opportunity into just three points, as Michael Petro kicked a 32-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with 12:52 to play.
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UTSA coach Jeff Traylor elected to send the field goal team onto the field facing fourth-and-2 from Rice’s 14-yard line — a situation that most analytics would say favors keeping the offense on the field.
The Roadrunners and Owls will be kicking off at 6 p.m. Saturday from First Community Stadium in Houston with a broadcast on ESPN+. The radio broadcast is 760 AM.
The start of the American Conference season brings the first player availability report of the year, and UTSA announced relatively few impactful injuries.
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Starting guard Ben Rios was listed as questionable and did not participate in pregame warmups, as Colorado State transfer MJ Senegal seems poised to start in his place. Defensive back Willie Nelson is listed out, but the rest of the report covers mostly little-used reserves or seasonlong injuries.