Because the calendar flipped to the primary sport week of 2026, UTSA quarterback Owen McCown felt the sense of anticipation constructing, excited even for the feeling of being tackled once more for the primary time.
Final yr, each hit made coach Jeff Traylor cringe, as he questioned whether or not his beginning quarterback would be capable to maintain soldiering by way of a spread of nagging accidents.
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However after McCown underwent an offseason surgical procedure to restore a sports activities hernia and loved loads of time to relaxation his different bumps and bruises, Traylor would not maintain his breath anymore.
Throughout UTSA’s first drive in Saturday’s opener in opposition to UTRGV, McCown rolled to his proper and jumped within the air awkwardly as defenders closed in round him, catching a helmet to the midsection earlier than being pushed to the turf. He popped again to his toes, main the Roadrunners to the primary of 4 opening-half scoring drives.
McCown accomplished 22 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns in a powerful debut for brand new offensive coordinator Rick Bowie’s retooled assault, sparking UTSA to a 45-16 win in opposition to UTRGV within the Alamodome.
“He seemed like the child from 2024,” Traylor mentioned. “The quarterback run sport might be again in play once more. So, that was thrilling. And, yeah, he was actually good.”
McCown hardly ever needed to depend on his mobility in opposition to an overmatched FCS opponent Saturday, ending with only one rush for five yards.
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However as he mirrored on his efficiency Saturday, McCown pointed to simply two throws he wished again, utilizing his mobility to maintain performs alive till the best window opened.
“I simply suppose having the ability to scramble, and spin out of pockets and throwing the ball away, little issues like that,” McCown mentioned. “However I do not really feel restricted, so simply type of be at liberty and able to go.”
McCown mentioned his first sport in Bowie’s offense felt similar to what the Roadrunners had labored on by way of the spring and into the preseason, discovering a stream with streamlined communication and some extra air raid wrinkles.
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The Roadrunners delivered explosive passing performs with a deep shot to AJ Wilson for a 36-yard rating and a display screen go that DJ Allen broke for a 62-yard landing. Will Henderson’s 75-yard scoring run was the exclamation level because the Roadrunners jumped out to a 31-3 halftime lead, and A’Marion Peterson added a 53-yard landing dash within the closing minutes.
UTSA Roadrunners tight finish Brandon Younger Jr. (89) makes a one-handed landing catch throughout a sport in opposition to the College of Texas Rio Grande Valley, on the Alamodome in San Antonio, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Categorical-Information)
The Roadrunners piled up at the very least 250 yards passing and speeding – a feat UTSA failed to attain final season – underscoring the effectivity of an offense that racked up 525 yards on 58 performs.
“It was simply straightforward. The performs have been straightforward,” Henderson mentioned of the brand new offense. “You do not have to suppose an excessive amount of. You simply react and play.”
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Regardless of a powerful statistical day, Traylor mentioned “inconsistent” was the primary phrase that got here to thoughts to explain the offensive efficiency. He noticed “plenty of positives, and a few issues that maintain you up at evening.”
McCown was “actually, actually particular,” the explosive runs have been promising, and tight finish Brandon Younger notched a one-handed landing seize in his first begin. However UTSA’s playmakers did not break many tackles, and the Roadrunners completed with 11 penalties for 115 yards, contributing to stalled drives.
“There have been some good issues. There have been some dangerous issues,” Traylor mentioned. “Typical first sport. You have to play, however you are most likely not able to play.”
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Wanting on the protection, Traylor noticed a unit that missed too many tackles and struggled to include UTRGV’s quarterbacks – a troubling development coming into a essential matchup with Texas State and quarterback Brad Jackson subsequent week.
The Roadrunners allowed 422 whole yards however saved the Vaqueros out of the tip zone till the closing seconds. Cornerback Ahamad Chapman, who delivered an early spotlight with a choose six, mentioned the group might be trying to clear up missed tackles and discover extra massive hits, searching for a pressured fumble so as to add to a pair of interceptions.
“We have simply obtained to dial into little issues, however not an excessive amount of, although,” Chapman mentioned. “For our first sport and an actual new protection, we performed nice.”
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After a quiet offseason resting his physique, McCown mentioned he felt UTSA’s offense “did an ideal job execution clever.” He had knocked off many of the rust by way of preseason camp, and the remainder appeared to interrupt away when he took that first hit.
With a brand new coordinator and 4 new starters round him on offense, McCown’s message to the group was the identical assertion he confirmed along with his efficiency: “simply play free and be themselves.”
“Clearly, there have been nerves going into it,” McCown mentioned, “however they seem to be a bunch of rivals, and glad we obtained the win.”
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This text initially revealed at How Owen McCown supplied wholesome spark to UTSA’s offense in win over UTRGV.