UTSA Takes Its Bye Week at 7-1 and Alone Atop the American, With the ESPN Trip to Florida Atlantic Next
The Roadrunners forced six turnovers and rushed for six touchdowns in a 42-19 win at Tulane — their best start since the 2021 team opened 11-0 — and now get a week to reset before the Nov. 5 Thursday night game in Boca Raton.
UTSA's bye week arrives with the Roadrunners holding the American Conference's top spot outright. Saturday night in New Orleans, UTSA beat Tulane 42-19 at Yulman Stadium before an announced crowd of 19,015 — and did it the hard way first, giving up a pick-six five seconds into the game before scoring 42 of the next 54 points. The Roadrunners ran 47 times for 223 yards and six rushing touchdowns, converted 12 of 16 third downs and held the ball for 35 minutes and 19 seconds, while Tulane committed six turnovers: four lost fumbles and two interceptions.
"That was a big one for us. I never doubted we were ready for this, so it doesn't surprise me," coach Jeff Traylor said, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Quarterback Owen McCown, whose first pass was the interception returned for Tulane's opening score, credited the group's makeup, also via the Express-News: "This group of guys is super unique. We don't blink when it comes to good or bad stuff. We just roll into the next play." At 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the American, on a five-game winning streak, UTSA is off to its best start since the 2021 team opened 11-0, according to the American Conference.
What the bye week protects is the run-in. Next is a Thursday night trip to Florida Atlantic on Nov. 5 — a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN from Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, selected for the network's Thursday telecast in an announcement by the American Conference and ESPN on Oct. 26 — and then North Texas at the Alamodome for Homecoming on Nov. 14. Tulane fell to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
