UTSA Roadrunners

UTSA has opened 6-1 and 3-0 in the American Conference, with wins over UT Rio Grande Valley, Texas State, Colorado State, Rice, South Florida, and Navy. The lone loss came at No. 1 Texas, a 30-6 defeat in which the Roadrunners covered a 29.5-point spread. The team has covered in four of seven games and pushed once, and its power rating has climbed from 0.6 after Week 1 to 1.51 after Week 7. The offense has been inconsistent at times, but the defense has generally held up, and the Roadrunners have found ways to win close games, including a last-second touchdown at Texas State and a late score to beat Navy.

Quarterback Owen McCown, in his third year as starter, has shown poise and playmaking ability. He threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado State, and then 359 yards and three scores against Navy, including the game-winning 41-yard touchdown to A'Marion Peterson with 2:24 left. McCown has also led game-winning drives, such as the 13-play, 78-yard march at Texas State that ended with Brandon High Jr.'s 25-yard touchdown run with 14 seconds remaining. The offense has a deep supporting cast: Will Henderson III (866 yards last season) and High Jr. form a strong backfield, while receivers David Amador II, AJ Wilson, Mekhi Anderson, and Brandon Young Jr. provide multiple targets. However, the offense has had lulls, scoring only 16 points at Rice and being held to six at Texas. Consistency will be key down the stretch.

The defense lost most of its production to graduation and the transfer portal, and the rebuild has had mixed results. The unit held UT Rio Grande Valley to 16 points and limited Texas to 30, but it has been gashed on the ground by Texas State (149 rushing yards), Colorado State (multiple rushing scores), Rice (96 yards and two touchdowns from Jacurri Brown), and Navy (139 rushing yards and two scores from Jackson Gutierrez). The front seven, led by ends Tai Leonard and Johnny Bowens III and nose Jameian Buxton, has struggled against mobile quarterbacks and disciplined running games. Linebackers Brandon Tucker and Owen Pewee have been picked on in space, and the secondary, with the Chapman brothers at corner and Nate Robinson Jr. at safety, has had coverage lapses. The return of Camron Cooper from a knee injury could boost the pass rush, but the defense remains a work in progress.

Kicker Michael Petro has been reliable, connecting on 17-of-20 field goals last season and already hitting from 53 yards this year. Punter Caile Hogan averaged 45.7 yards per punt in 2025 and continues to flip field position. The return game has also produced sparks: Mekhi Anderson returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Colorado State. In close games, these specialists can be the difference, as seen in the 16-14 win at Rice where Petro kicked three field goals. The coverage units have been solid, though they allowed a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to Colorado State's Mel Brown. Overall, special teams are a strength that can swing field position and points.

UTSA has navigated a challenging schedule with trips to Texas State, Texas, and Rice, plus a short week before South Florida. The remaining slate includes a road game at Tulane and other conference matchups. The team has a bye week after Week 7, which should help recovery. Health is a key factor: McCown is coming off sports hernia surgery and was limited in spring, and other players like Camron Cooper are working back from injuries. Depth at running back and receiver is a plus, but the offensive line has a new left guard and tight ends are inexperienced. If the defense can tighten up against the run and the offense finds consistency, UTSA should remain in the hunt for the American Conference title. However, the margin for error is thin, and the team must avoid letdowns against lesser opponents.