Runners Blast LA Tech 30-10 in Season Finale

                Last Sunday November 30, the Roadrunner football team put on their all orange uniforms and played their last game of the 2013 season against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.  The game was of critical importance as a win would result in an above .500 regular season record, a secure spot as second place in Conference USA – West, and a chance at landing an appearance in an FBS Bowl Game.  More than 26,000 fans packed the Alamodome after Thanksgiving for what was the first of many future divisional matchups between the two, and UTSA came out fast and blasting after winning the toss and electing to receive.

                After a 20 yard kickoff return to start the drive at the 30 from RB Jarveon Williams, freshman, QB Eric Soza, senior, threw a 36 yard bomb to RB Evans Okotcha, senior, on the first play from scrimmage.  Two plays later QB Soza throws another 31 yard pass to RB Williams for a Roadrunner touchdown!  Following a series of punts from both teams LA Tech made a 24 yard field goal, putting the score at 7-3 Roadrunners.  The Roadrunners took over on offense on the ensuing drive and on an important 3^rd down, Eric Soza threw a 28 yard pass to TE Cole Hubble, junior.  Two plays later, QB Soza takes off on foot and scrambles all the way to the endzone for another Roadrunner touchdown!  14-3 UTSA at the end of the 1^st quarter.

                The 2^nd quarter began with UTSA marching down field to the redzone, however the offense came up short on a 3^rd and goal at the 4 yard line, resulting in a Roadrunner field goal to start the period.  17- 3 UTSA.  The remainder of the 2^nd quarter remained uneventful until the play prior to the 2 minute warning.  With UTSA on offense, QB Eric Soza dropped back to pass and threw a LA Tech interception that ran back 26 yards to the endzone for a pick-6.  Halftime had UTSA up 17-10.  During the 3^rd quarter QB Eric Soza bounced back and the offense continued to dominate as RB Evans Okotcha took a 1 yard run into the endzone to put UTSA up 24-10 at the end of the 3^rd quarter.  K Sean Ianno tacked on 2 field goals from 21 and 37 yards out during the 4^th quarter, and UTSA went on to win their fifth straight ball game 30-10.

Making a huge statement in the third year of their tenure and first season of Conference USA play, the Roadrunners finished the season 7-5 to end 2^nd place in the Western Division of C-USA just behind Rice, whom the Runners have lost to the past two seasons.  According to Athletics Director Lynn hickey, NCAA certification rules state that a team as young as UTSA is still not eligible for bowl play, which is extremely unfortunate for the seniors on the squad.  There are teams with worse records that will be selected for a bowl appearance.  Although the season comes to an end, the Roadrunners proved excellent in being competitive in an FBS Conference and performed against major establishments.  A 7-5 record after being projected to go 1-11 is a huge statement to the nation that the UTSA Roadrunners are a team to be reckoned with.  Birds up and GO RUNNERS!