UTSA dropped to 5-5 on the season with a road loss to Louisiana Tech. Here are some thoughts from the game.
1. The passing offense was the difference and UTSA must figure out a way to be more dynamic in the passing game to beat quality opponents. Some of that is on the wide receivers. Some of that is on the offensive line. Some of that is on the quarterback. Offense is a team game and Louisiana Tech’s defense did a good job forcing UTSA into uncomfortable positions and Dalton Sturm and the offense couldn’t come up with the big plays in the passing game to keep it close. With four more pass attempts, Ryan Higgins threw for 193 more yards than Sturm and recorded four touchdowns to Sturm’s zero. It is hard to win games averaging fewer than 10 yards per pass.
2. Jared Johnson acquitted nicely in clean-up duty. I doubt it leads to much more than just clean up duty with two games left in the season and UTSA within one win of bowl eligibility. But it was nice to see the grad transfer enjoy some success. It can’t be an easy process to transfer, expect to win the starting job and then be placed as second-team for the season. A lot of guys couldn’t handle that and would mentally check out. It was clear Johnson has been a good teammate through this process and that should be met with praise. He completed two touchdowns when called upon.
3. The defense was torched through the air. There isn’t a nicer way to say that. Louisiana Tech proved to be the best offense in CUSA and the Roadrunners didn’t have many answers throughout the game. La Tech scored 35 points in the first half and 21 points in the fourth quarter. Allowing 63 points wasn’t the plan, so after two weeks of solid performances, it is clear this defense still has growing to do. Louisiana Tech is experienced on offense and took advantage of youth.
4. Josh Stewart is the pleasant surprise of the season. He went over 100 yards again in this game. The wide receiver position entered the season as one of UTSA’s best perceived strengths. Take away Stewart and it has been a disappointing season for that position group. UTSA’s second leading receiver had 20 yards on three catches.
5. This game looked a little big for UTSA. Not the stakes, necessarily, but the talent level. UTSA looked like a 20+ point underdog. It’s a frustrating loss because of how dominant Louisiana Tech looked at times, but it isn’t a loss that should erase the momentum UTSA is building. All it did was solidify the need to improve the talent and depth on the football team. Something Frank Wilson knew his program would need before winning these types of games on a consistent basis. The fight the team showed in the fourth quarter isn’t something we’ve seen much of in the past. That’s a good sign to take away from an otherwise forgettable day.
1. The passing offense was the difference and UTSA must figure out a way to be more dynamic in the passing game to beat quality opponents. Some of that is on the wide receivers. Some of that is on the offensive line. Some of that is on the quarterback. Offense is a team game and Louisiana Tech’s defense did a good job forcing UTSA into uncomfortable positions and Dalton Sturm and the offense couldn’t come up with the big plays in the passing game to keep it close. With four more pass attempts, Ryan Higgins threw for 193 more yards than Sturm and recorded four touchdowns to Sturm’s zero. It is hard to win games averaging fewer than 10 yards per pass.
2. Jared Johnson acquitted nicely in clean-up duty. I doubt it leads to much more than just clean up duty with two games left in the season and UTSA within one win of bowl eligibility. But it was nice to see the grad transfer enjoy some success. It can’t be an easy process to transfer, expect to win the starting job and then be placed as second-team for the season. A lot of guys couldn’t handle that and would mentally check out. It was clear Johnson has been a good teammate through this process and that should be met with praise. He completed two touchdowns when called upon.
3. The defense was torched through the air. There isn’t a nicer way to say that. Louisiana Tech proved to be the best offense in CUSA and the Roadrunners didn’t have many answers throughout the game. La Tech scored 35 points in the first half and 21 points in the fourth quarter. Allowing 63 points wasn’t the plan, so after two weeks of solid performances, it is clear this defense still has growing to do. Louisiana Tech is experienced on offense and took advantage of youth.
4. Josh Stewart is the pleasant surprise of the season. He went over 100 yards again in this game. The wide receiver position entered the season as one of UTSA’s best perceived strengths. Take away Stewart and it has been a disappointing season for that position group. UTSA’s second leading receiver had 20 yards on three catches.
5. This game looked a little big for UTSA. Not the stakes, necessarily, but the talent level. UTSA looked like a 20+ point underdog. It’s a frustrating loss because of how dominant Louisiana Tech looked at times, but it isn’t a loss that should erase the momentum UTSA is building. All it did was solidify the need to improve the talent and depth on the football team. Something Frank Wilson knew his program would need before winning these types of games on a consistent basis. The fight the team showed in the fourth quarter isn’t something we’ve seen much of in the past. That’s a good sign to take away from an otherwise forgettable day.
