San Antonio’s UTSA Roadrunners Aim for Better Days Ahead
The city of San Antonio has been buzzing with excitement as the UTSA Roadrunners gear up for their next challenge on the football field. Still recovering from a couple of tough losses, the team is eager to show fans that brighter days are just around the corner. This weekend, the Roadrunners will face Houston Christian in what promises to be a crucial matchup ahead of the highly-anticipated start of their American Athletic Conference (AAC) season.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
In the underbelly of the Royal-Memorial Stadium, linebacker Jamal Ligon shared his mixed feelings following the team’s recent 56-7 defeat against the Texas Longhorns—now the top-ranked team in the nation. While the score was disheartening, Ligon’s initial reaction was one of hope. He observed a noticeable increase in effort and physicality from his teammates, especially when compared to their previous game against Texas State, which ended in a 49-10 loss. “Despite the score, we played with heart,” Ligon said. “We just need to keep building on that.”
When the season kicked off, expectations were high. Just a month ago, during preseason camp, the Roadrunners appeared poised for a strong campaign, even eyeing the College Football Playoff as the best team from the Group of Five. But now, with new players integrated into the team and a few setbacks, they’re facing a transition period. “Everything doesn’t always work out how you want it to,” Ligon added, “so now it’s about how we respond.”
Coach Traylor’s Algebra of Recovery
Coach Jeff Traylor has been reminding his team of a simple equation during their weekly meetings: E + R = O. The “E” stands for events, highlighting those tough losses that have challenged the team’s confidence. The “R,” or response, is what the players need to nail down as they prepare for the upcoming games. As they look at the “O,” or outcomes, the Roadrunners are still very much in the race for the AAC championship.
Coming up on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Alamodome, UTSA is gearing up to take on a Houston Christian squad that they expect to handle pretty well. “We want to make sure that our win looks dominant,” Ligon stated. “It’s important for us to show that we’re ready for this next phase.”
Building Chemistry with New Players
Linebacker Donyai Taylor noted that the integration of new players had its challenges, but it was also a part of the journey. “With more new transfers making an impact, it’s essential for us to build chemistry as a team,” he explained. Fresh faces like Denver Harris, Tyan Milton, and Zach Morris have been key players on defense, all finding their footing as they adapt to the Roadrunners’ unique culture.
Traylor has always emphasized the importance of the “Triangle of Toughness”, a specific mindset that may take some time for new players to grasp. The motto encourages resilience, patience, and trust in the process. “No one is perfect,” Taylor remarked. “Mistakes will happen, and we just have to learn from them.”
Setting the Stage for a Strong Finish
As the Roadrunners approach their next game, they are eager to prove that they can turn things around. The atmosphere in the locker room is buzzing with a mix of determination and optimism. The focus remains on fine-tuning the little things, like offensive line performance and improving communication in the secondary.
With their AAC season opener approaching on September 28th against East Carolina, who have shown strong fan support and a recent uptick in performance, the Roadrunners are aware that time is of the essence. This Saturday offers a perfect opportunity to regain momentum and confidence as they push forward in what they hope will be a successful season.
