Well, it wasn't pretty but UTSA was able to take care of the Rice Owls mostly because of a monster defensive performance by Marcus Davenport. This is the best defensive performance by a Roadrunner I have seen since the Robert Singletary game versus FIU. Rice is not the best team in CUSA or even an average one, but the one thing they had going for them was their experienced offensive line. They were no match for Davenport. You kinda knew it was going to be one of those nights when Marcus recovered the fumble by Glaesmann and returned it for a touchdown. Davenport finished the night with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 TFLs, 1 PBU, and a fumble returned for a touchdown. He is going to get paid by the NFL.
The offense was okay at best. You will see the 448 yards on offense and think they moved the ball well, but it just didn't flow. They are lucky they are playing a 1-5 Rice team because this game would had been different against a better defense. The offense only managed one offensive touchdown on 400+ yards of offense. That is an issue. The one bright spot was senior running back Tyrell Clay. He finished the night with 153 yards on 11 carries. Clay and Rhodes have become a pretty good duo as the season has progressed.
The injuries are an issue. These are the names off the top of my head I can recall getting injured:
Josiah Tauaefa
Kerry Thomas
Austin Jupe
Jordan Wright
Stefan Beard
Baylen Baker
Halen Steward
Devron Davis
Some of these guys were able to come back, but it looks like the Tauaefa and Steward injuries might be a weeks kinda thing. UTSA is lucky to be playing UTEP next week, but the Miners are also coming off a bye.
UTSA improves to 4-2 (1-2) with the victory. They also tied the all-time series with Rice at 3-3.
