Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

UTSA survives Idaho comeback for seventh win

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The Roadrunners triumphed over the Idaho Vandals for their seventh win of the season 34-27 on Saturday, Nov. 10 in Moscow, Idaho.UTSA outlasted a Vandals’ 24 point second half to guarantee the ‘Runners a winning record this season.

“The character of a team is to find a way to win. I was happy we were able to do that despite the comeback,” Head Coach Larry Coker said.

Quarterback Eric Soza threw for 232 passing yards and gained 89 rushing yards along with three rushing touchdowns in Moscow. Running back David Glasco II gained 58 rushing yards and scored one touchdown for the ‘Runners in the victory.

From the beginning, the Roadrunners offense was firing on all cylinders, especially on the ground. After gaining possession of the ball due to the coin toss, the ‘Runners didn’t waste anytime scoring points. Glasco struck first with a 15-yard run through the Vandals defense. Soza dashed through the defense on the next snap with an 11-yard run of his own. At 12:05, Soza plowed through Idaho defenders nine yards into the endzonefor his first touchdown and gave the ‘Runners their first lead 7-0.

In their first offensive possession, Idaho quarterback Logan Bushnell rallied his teammates starting with a 15-yard pass to Justin Veltung. On the next play, Bushnell fired a 19-yard bomb to receiver Roman Runner and put the Vandals inside Roadrunners territory. The ‘Runners defense crushed the Vandals momentum when Idaho running back Ryan Bass fumbled the ball and UTSA defensive tackle Ferrington Macon recovered it.

The ‘Runners almost gave away possession when Idaho safety Gary Walker forced and recovered a fumble from UTSAreceiver Seth Grubb at the Idaho 46 yard-line. The play was negated due to Idaho defensive end Benson Mayowa who was charged with an offsides penalty.

The ‘Runners offense stormed to the Idaho 10-yard line but couldn’t come away with a touchdown. UTSA kicker SeanIanno struck a 27-yard field goal and extended the UTSA lead to 10-0 with 4:27 left in the quarter.

Despite falling behind early, the Vandals offense started to gain momentum against the UTSA defense in the closing minutes of the first quarter. Vandals running back Justin Parkins busted through the ‘Runners defense for a huge 16-yard gain on the ground and a facemask penalty on the ‘Runners defense put the Vandals on the UTSA 36-yard line. However, Idaho’s offense couldn’t break through the ‘Runners defense and settled for a 51-yard field goal from TreyFarguhar putting the Vandals on the board 10-3 with 1:17 left in the first quarter, and those were the only points Idaho scored in the first half.

UTSA’s rushing attack terrorized the Vandals defense thanks to running backs Evans Okotcha, Glasco and quarterbackSoza. At the 7:05 mark, Glasco propelled into the endzone for a three-yard rushing touchdown, and the ‘Runners went up 17-3.

Idaho tried to close in on the ‘Runners lead. Vandals kicker Farquhar tried to nail another field goal, but this time from 59 yards away but the ball stopped short of the uprights.

The Vandals defense hijacked the ‘Runners offensive momentum for a moment when linebacker Sua Tuala causedGlasco to fumble the ball on the UTSA 39-yard line. Idaho defensive end Maxx Forde fell on top of the ball and the Vandals offense took over.

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