UTSA fell to 1-6 on the season with a 32-10 loss to Southern Miss this past weekend. Here are five thoughts from the game and what they might mean going forward.
1. UTSA’s offensive call-making is by far the greatest obstacle for this season’s Roadrunner team. Of 128 teams, UTSA is currently ranked 113th in total offense in the country. That would seem difficult to believe given the individual performances we’ve seen from Dalton Sturm, Jarveon Williams and David Morgan – but it is true. This past Saturday was the lowest point of the season (thus far) as the offense gained only 205 yards. UTSA totaled only 73 yards with about half of the third quarter left and made just its third completion midway through the same quarter. Knowing the Roadrunners can score 10 straight points tells you that there is at least some talent on the team but not seeing those points until Southern Miss is ahead 26 to nothing in the third quarter tells you that somebody is making bad calls.
2. The Golden Eagles committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble). For the first time under third-year head coach Todd Monken, Southern Miss won when committing at least three turnovers in a game. Under those circumstances, the Golden Eagles were 0-12 prior to Saturday against UTSA. This pairs with my first point about UTSA’s offense somewhat but, given the exceptionally poor ball-handling this Golden Eagles’ squad displayed in quick glimpses of poor judgement, it is even more telling about where the Roadrunners are offensively that better field position or just simply getting the ball back cannot equate to UTSA points. For the season, UTSA has 33 points off of turnovers and opponents have 82.
3. The 180 lb.-Dalton Sturm repeatedly got knocked down to the ground against Southern Miss. Fumbling and losing the ball twice, its not surprising Sturm was only able to orchestrate 12 first downs the entire match. Perhaps a lack of practice or preparation is the problem when it comes to protecting UTSA’s quarterback but Sturm was sacked five times in Hattiesburg (albeit twice by the Golden Eagles’ Brian Anderson who now has 43 tackles just this season). The Roadrunners went back to San Antonio with a loss and an upcoming bye week but it is seems most likely that addressing this concern seriously during the off weekend will not take place because starting linemen Juan Perez-Isidoro, Austin Pratt and Jordan Gray did not practice on Wednesday morning. Protecting the quarterback really should be everything to UTSA right now – and when the team travels to Denton next weekend to face a 0-6 North Texas, we’ll really see how adjustments to problems are handled by UTSA’s coaching staff.
4. Nick Mullens threw 3 interceptions – the most he’s thrown all season in one game – and UTSA was still unable to capitalize offensively. Mullens missed Southern Miss’ two previous games with a foot injury but looked completely healthy completing 74.2% for 343 yards. Yes, UTSA isn’t running with their starting quarterback but even in last season’s outing between these two teams Mullens was responsible for the only touchdown of the game. What’s perhaps most unsettling about Saturday for the Roadrunners was that Mullens was one of the few quarterbacks they were scheduled to play this season that they had triumphed over last season and still could not find a way to win in the end. I, of course, say that knowing that UTSA won last year's game by kicking field goals alone but, in the end, still finding a way to limit Mullens to one touchdown.
5. Southern Miss is definitely now in the conversation as a candidate to challenge either Rice or, most likely, LA Tech for the Conference USA West division title – moving on to play for the conference championship. UTSA on the other hand, is staring at what might be it’s worst season ever. Bowl chances for the Roadrunners are very slim. Yes, they’re facing a winless North Texas, a 2-win Charlotte and some winnable games at home but UTSA would have to remain undefeated from this point on to land 6-6 overall. The best case scenario halfway through the regular season is for the UTSA Roadrunners to protect their quarterback, protect the ball and protect their house. Then, and only then, can they hope for a winning season.
1. UTSA’s offensive call-making is by far the greatest obstacle for this season’s Roadrunner team. Of 128 teams, UTSA is currently ranked 113th in total offense in the country. That would seem difficult to believe given the individual performances we’ve seen from Dalton Sturm, Jarveon Williams and David Morgan – but it is true. This past Saturday was the lowest point of the season (thus far) as the offense gained only 205 yards. UTSA totaled only 73 yards with about half of the third quarter left and made just its third completion midway through the same quarter. Knowing the Roadrunners can score 10 straight points tells you that there is at least some talent on the team but not seeing those points until Southern Miss is ahead 26 to nothing in the third quarter tells you that somebody is making bad calls.
2. The Golden Eagles committed four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble). For the first time under third-year head coach Todd Monken, Southern Miss won when committing at least three turnovers in a game. Under those circumstances, the Golden Eagles were 0-12 prior to Saturday against UTSA. This pairs with my first point about UTSA’s offense somewhat but, given the exceptionally poor ball-handling this Golden Eagles’ squad displayed in quick glimpses of poor judgement, it is even more telling about where the Roadrunners are offensively that better field position or just simply getting the ball back cannot equate to UTSA points. For the season, UTSA has 33 points off of turnovers and opponents have 82.
3. The 180 lb.-Dalton Sturm repeatedly got knocked down to the ground against Southern Miss. Fumbling and losing the ball twice, its not surprising Sturm was only able to orchestrate 12 first downs the entire match. Perhaps a lack of practice or preparation is the problem when it comes to protecting UTSA’s quarterback but Sturm was sacked five times in Hattiesburg (albeit twice by the Golden Eagles’ Brian Anderson who now has 43 tackles just this season). The Roadrunners went back to San Antonio with a loss and an upcoming bye week but it is seems most likely that addressing this concern seriously during the off weekend will not take place because starting linemen Juan Perez-Isidoro, Austin Pratt and Jordan Gray did not practice on Wednesday morning. Protecting the quarterback really should be everything to UTSA right now – and when the team travels to Denton next weekend to face a 0-6 North Texas, we’ll really see how adjustments to problems are handled by UTSA’s coaching staff.
4. Nick Mullens threw 3 interceptions – the most he’s thrown all season in one game – and UTSA was still unable to capitalize offensively. Mullens missed Southern Miss’ two previous games with a foot injury but looked completely healthy completing 74.2% for 343 yards. Yes, UTSA isn’t running with their starting quarterback but even in last season’s outing between these two teams Mullens was responsible for the only touchdown of the game. What’s perhaps most unsettling about Saturday for the Roadrunners was that Mullens was one of the few quarterbacks they were scheduled to play this season that they had triumphed over last season and still could not find a way to win in the end. I, of course, say that knowing that UTSA won last year's game by kicking field goals alone but, in the end, still finding a way to limit Mullens to one touchdown.
5. Southern Miss is definitely now in the conversation as a candidate to challenge either Rice or, most likely, LA Tech for the Conference USA West division title – moving on to play for the conference championship. UTSA on the other hand, is staring at what might be it’s worst season ever. Bowl chances for the Roadrunners are very slim. Yes, they’re facing a winless North Texas, a 2-win Charlotte and some winnable games at home but UTSA would have to remain undefeated from this point on to land 6-6 overall. The best case scenario halfway through the regular season is for the UTSA Roadrunners to protect their quarterback, protect the ball and protect their house. Then, and only then, can they hope for a winning season.
