Roadrunners embracing an underdog mentality
As UTSA readied for today’s game at UAB, the coaches made sure the players were aware of the odds.
The betting line — 20.5 points in favor of the Blazers — was unavoidable through social media anyway.
Junior offensive tackle Spencer Burford said he’s grown used to it, and he tries to block out chatter from critics.
In 2018 and 2019, UTSA was an underdog in 21 of 23 games against FBS opponents, including 15 of 16 Conference USA matchups. But that doesn’t make the slight any less painful.
Burford looks around the locker room and sees a team with potential and something to prove. Even at 3-0 to start the year, UTSA will have to show it can be competitive in a game like today’s — an 11:30 a.m. kickoff against UAB (2-1) at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. — before the odds start to swing in the Roadrunners’ favor.
“We’ve been the underdog I don’t know howmany times, and it hurts, personally,” Burford said. “It creates a fire inside of you to know that you’re the underdog. You have to take a different approach. … You have to have a little grit to you, and you have to play with a little chip on your shoulder.”
First-year coach Jeff Traylor hasn’t experienced the lows of the past two seasons, but he knows they can be a powerful motivator.
Though UTSA is unbeaten, Traylor said his team could be 0-3. Matchups against Texas State, Stephen F. Austin and Middle Tennessee all were decided in the fourth quarter or overtime, and the Roadrunners’ schedule grows more difficult in the coming weeks.
If mentioning the public perception of UTSA’s chances against UAB can create frustration that pushes Burford and the offensive line to practice harder, then so be it.
“I am going to poke the bear and jab at it, I am going to have fun, and we are going to put it up all over the place,” Traylor said. “But why? So we will play better.”
Traylor describes UAB as “by far the best team we’ve played” and “a great measuring stick” for UTSA, and he knows he doesn’t have to say much for his players to adopt the underdog mentality. The Roadrunners will read and hear the message every time they check Twitter.
Cornerback Tariq Woolen said he’s grown to enjoy being looked at as “just a little bitty team from San Antonio.” The Roadrunners use the slight to gain an edge.
“We know as a team and as a program that nobody is going to give us that respect. And rightfully so,” receiver Brennon Dingle said. “We just have to go out there and take it sometimes. But we’ll be ready.”
Traylor doesn’t argue with the projections, saying the Roadrunners “haven’t done anything yet” to be considered on even footing with the Blazers.
While UTSA was a combined 717 in 2018 and 2019, UAB went 20-8, winning a C-USA title and advancing to two bowl games.
When the teams met in 2018 in Birmingham, UAB needed less than 25 minutes of game time to build a 38-3 lead, eventually winning 52-3. Last season at the Alamodome, UAB also led wire-towire in a 33-14 victory.
“We just want to go out there and execute our game plan (today), and show them that we’re really not the same teamfromlast year,” Woolen said. “We’re really not that 20-point underdog that everybody makes it seem to be.”
UTSA enters today with uncertainty at quarterback, as Frank Harris is considered a game-time decision because of a knee sprain suffered last week against Middle Tennessee.
Through three games, Harris has rushed for 162 yards and five touchdowns while throwing for 508 yards and three scores.
Josh Adkins, a graduate transfer and former starter at New Mexico State, drew praise for his poise in relief of Harris after he completed 16 of 28 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown in a little more than two quarters of play.
Traylor said UTSA’s offense prepared for both possible starters through practice this week, splitting snaps more evenly than usual.
Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. said the schematic changes depending on the starting quarterback are minimal. Both players are comfortable running the entire offense, but in-game play-calling will be tailored to whoever is behind center.
While Harris is utilized as a rushing threat on option plays, UTSA shied away from those calls with Adkins, who’s more as a pocket passer. Still, players and coaches say the adjustment is slight.
“Frank is a little bit more of a runner, so you just have to be aware of the backside blocks a little bit more,” Dingle said. “But nothing really changes in our mindset as an offense. Still get open, still make plays, still block on the perimeter.”
Today’s game marks UTSA’s first road trip by plane during a season played amid the coronavirus pandemic, but Traylor said the procedures are mostly typical, aside from extra spacing between players during the flight.
On Wednesday, Traylor said the Roadrunners had advanced through 10 consecutive rounds of COVID-19 testing without anypositives, leaving the full roster available against UAB.
“I don’t like to fly, personally, so the thought of putting a mask on my face and flying,” Traylor said. “Maybe I’ll just put it over my eyes so I can close them and nobody will know that I’m praying the whole time.”