Injuries put major dent in Roadrunners
Number of key players out has grown each week
Watching quarterback Frank Harris move and change direction, even against dummies in practice, brings a smile to UTSA coach Frank Wilson’s face.
Harris, a Clemens grad, was projected to be UTSA’s starting quarterback this season before suffering a torn ACL in April. He isn’t cleared to work against a live defense, but watching him run the UTSA offense against air helps Wilson envision a bright future during a season derailed in part by injuries across the Roadrunners roster.
“To see him in rehab and throwing the ball and bouncing around, that is optimistic for me, because help is on the way,” Wilson said. “It’s going to happen. And I’m not talking about the 25 that’s coming up (in recruiting). I’m talking about our current roster.”
Wilson on Monday rattled off a list of missing pieces. On Saturday, UTSA (3-7, 2-4 Conference USA) was without cornerback Teddrick McGhee, defensive lineman Baylen Baker, quarterback Cordale Grundy, receiver Larry Stephens, cornerback Clayton Johnson, receiver Kirk Johnson Jr., safety Carrington Kearney, tight end T.J. King, offensive lineman Jordan Wright and offensive lineman Dominic Pastucci.
“And those are the guys that are not on the long term, out for the year,” Wilson said.
Wilson began that list with Carl Austin, a two-year starter in the secondary who ranked third on the team in tackles last year but hasn’t played this season.
Wilson also mentioned running back Deven Boston, who was “brought in to be a starter” but hasn’t seen the field this year.
Running back Brett Winnegan — “our most dynamic and explosive player, who runs a 4.3 (40-yard dash time),” Wilson said — also has not played this year.
Jalyn Galmore started UTSA’s first five games at right tackle before suffering a season-ending injury. And Blaze Moorhead, credited by Wilson as the team’s best option on reverse runs and returns, is also out for the year.
Senior Marquez McNair said the injuries have had a “tremendous” impact.
“We lost a lot of guys,” McNair said. “It’s been pretty hard, but this coaching staff gives us a game plan, and we just keep fighting week in and week out.”
Safety C.J. Levine, who started UTSA’s first nine games, did not play until the second half Saturday because of a violation of team rules, Wilson said.
Running back Jalen Rhodes, a starter in nine games this season, is in the team’s concussion protocol this week.
Grundy, a starter in UTSA’s first seven games, is listed as doubtful this week, and quarterback D.J. Gillins started Saturday’s game against Florida International but suffered a seasonending arm injury. Jordan Weeks, who was dinged up entering last week’s game, will probably start Saturday, Wilson said, though sophomore Bryce Rivers is also expected to play after taking his first snap of the season against FIU.
Wilson said he’s never been part of a team with this many injuries, and linebacker Josiah Tauaefa said the missing pieces have “definitely been an issue.”
“Once we get everyone back, when the season comes to an end, it’s just going to be about putting this one behind us,” Tauaefa said. “The season, obviously, didn’t go how we planned it and how we wanted it. Things didn’t go our way. But we have to learn from it and move on and get better when all of our guys are healthy.”
Cold snap: UTSA practiced from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Tuesday, as temperatures approached 30 degrees around San Antonio.
“Even with the weather being what it was, a lot of guys came out and were flying around,” McNair said. “Keeping the juices going.”
The Roadrunners are preparing to travel to Huntington, W.Va., for a game against Marshall at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with temperatures projected anywhere from the low 30s to low 50s.
“It's good that we’re kind of getting acclimated now instead of getting blindsided come Saturday,” Tauaefa said. “I think it might benefit us.”
Big decision: Tauaefa said he’s mulling whether he will return for his senior season next year or pursue an opportunity in the NFL.
“I’m not sure. I've been praying about that,” Tauaefa said. “Wherever the Lord leads me in that decision. I have no decision right now, so obviously I do plan to be back. That is how the schedule pans out. But like I said, praying about it. I'll talk with my family and coaches and do whatever the Lord puts in my heart.”
Tauaefa leads UTSA with 87 tackles and 10 tackles for