’Runners rally from 21-0 hole, stay undefeated

Hunter Duplessis kicked a 42yard field goal as time expired and UTSA overcame a disastrous start to remain unbeaten with a 31-28 win against Memphis on Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tenn.

Sincere McCormick paced the Roadrunners (4-0) with a schoolrecord 42 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns, including a 22yard burst on the final drive that pushed UTSA into position for the game-winning kick.

Despite falling behind 21-0 in less than 10 minutes, UTSA rebounded to end Memphis’ 17-game home winning streak.

A miscommunication between quarterback Frank Harris and center Ahofitu Maka on a snap during UTSA’s opening drive led to Memphis (3-1) recovering a fumble in the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

Rodrigues Clark ran in for a 7yard touchdown on Memphis’ next possession, and quarterback Seth Henigan hit Calvin Austin for a 60-yard score down the middle of the field to stretch the margin to 21-0 with 6:22 to play in the opening quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers had outgained the Roadrunners 177-0.

UTSA got on the board with about 10 minutes to play in the second quarter, mostly keeping the ball on the ground through a 12play, 87-yard drive that McCormick capped with a 12-yard touchdown.

The Roadrunners hung around as the defense forced four consecutive punts and a missed field goal, and McCormick punched in another 8-yard touchdown with

about five minutes to play in the third quarter to trim the margin to 21-14.

Memphis responded with a 73yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown from Brandon Thomas

to stretch the lead to two scores, but UTSA had an answer on its next drive, going 75 yards and reaching the end zone with a 7yard pass from Harris to wide receiver Zakhari Franklin to pull

within 28-21 early in the fourth quarter.

UTSA’s defense provided the spark that helped the Roadrunners draw even. Linebacker Clarence Hicks came around the edge for a sack and a forced fumble that was scooped up by defensive lineman Lorenzo Dantzler, setting UTSA’s offense up at the 7-yard line.

Four straight rushing plays from McCormick pushed the ball into the end zone, leveling the score at 28 with 10:30 to play.

Memphis drove deep into UTSA territory on its ensuing possession, but Roadrunners safety Kelechi Nwachuku forced a fumble to give UTSA the ball back at its own 19-yard line.

After UTSA’s Brenden Brady was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 carry near midfield, the Roadrunners’ defense came up with another stop, forcing a punt to set up the game-winning drive.

Harris finished the game 18of-28 passing for 186 yards and a touchdown. Franklin hauled in seven grabs for 51 yards and a score, while Joshua Cephus added six receptions for 82 yards.

Henigan connected on 15 of 25 attempts for 329 yards and a score for Memphis, but the Roadrunners’ limited the Tigers rushing attack to 78 yards on 32 carries.

UTSA returns to the Alamodome to close out the nonconference season with a matchup against UNLV at 5 p.m. Oct. 2.

Patrick Lantrip / Associated Press The UTSA defense tries to stop tight end Sean Dykes during Saturday’s game. The Roadrunners ended Memphis’ 17-game home winning streak.

UTSA defensive back Rashad Wisdom tries to chase down Memphis receiver Calvin Austin III as he scrambles for a first down. Wisdom and the defense forced two fumbles in the second half.