As childhood buddies Jackson Gutierrez and Elijah Baldwin had been maintaining tabs on one another by the offseason, months earlier than they had been set to fulfill as opponents this fall, they realized their groups had a lot in widespread.
Rising up collectively since about age 6, Gutierrez and Baldwin each starred at Jay earlier than splitting off for school. Gutierrez spent two years because the backup quarterback at Navy earlier than entering into the beginning job this 12 months, whereas Baldwin performed exterior linebacker at UTEP for 2 years earlier than touchdown at UTSA this season.
Regardless of the divergent paths, Gutierrez and Baldwin found by their conversations that they ended up in related locations. A primary-time matchup between UTSA and Navy at 7 p.m. Saturday within the Alamodome shall be a gathering of two groups rooted in grit and tradition relatively than flash and ego.
"These are the kind of packages that you simply look ahead to taking part in, since you actually get put to the check," Gutierrez mentioned. "We really feel like we're the identical means, and people are all the time one of the best soccer video games, and essentially the most thrilling ones."
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When UTSA coach Jeff Traylor talks to different coaches about what they see within the Roadrunners, he hears lots of the similar themes. The 2026 group is probably not Traylor's most proficient unit, however this group is among the many most mature and cohesive of his tenure, Traylor mentioned.
Traylor additionally understands the Roadrunners are assembly their equal in these areas this week, because the service academies have lengthy stood because the prime examples of a team-first method.
"Is anyone extra unselfish than the Navy?" Traylor mentioned. "Their groups simply exemplify tradition, toughness and character always."
Thus far, these qualities have carried UTSA to a 5-1 begin, however Traylor admits he's "nonetheless undecided how good we actually are."
The Roadrunners have two wins on last-minute touchdowns and are 3-0 in video games determined by one-score margins. Suggesting that UTSA is only a handful of performs from being 1-5, Traylor mentioned the Roadrunners nonetheless have "loads of issues we've obtained to wash up."
"We're chipping away at it," Traylor mentioned. "Traditionally right here, we simply get higher each week. When's that magic time going to come back?"
When:7 p.m. Saturday
The place:Alamodome, San Antonio
TV: ESPNU
Radio:760 AM
All-time sequence: First assembly
s
Unfold: UTSA –6.5
Over/below:55.5
Final sport:Gained 34-26 in opposition to Tulsa on Oct. 10 in Annapolis, Md.
Gamers to observe: Gutierrez has taken command of the Navy offense, highlighted by a standout displaying with 41 carries for 232 yards and three touchdowns in final week's win in opposition to Tulsa. Traylor mentioned the 6-foot, 207-pound Gutierrez is "robust as a bull," combining high-end velocity and steadiness to grind out powerful yards after contact. However the X-factor would be the attainable return of Week 1 starter Braxton Woodson, who was considered maybe Navy's most proficient and athletic participant earlier than struggling an ankle damage that has hampered him in current weeks. The Midshipmen even have a veteran offensive line, as all 5 items began video games final season.
When UTSA has the ball
Dealing with a proficient South Florida protection final week, UTSA nonetheless produced its greatest dashing sport of the season, selecting up 277 yards and three scores on the bottom. Working backs Will Henderson, A'Marion Peterson and Brandon Excessive have all been potent, quarterback Owen McCown added a season-high 52 dashing yards, and the Roadrunners are dedicated to blocking at each stage.
"UTSA, they'll be one of the best group we've performed up to now," mentioned Navy security Giuseppe Sessi, a Reagan grad. "I've really been impressed with their receivers, not simply within the cross sport however within the run sport, too. A number of occasions we'll play groups and receivers don't actually need to block. These guys are focused on profitable the sport and it looks like they're fairly unselfish on movie."
UTSA's protection is used to contending with the choice working sport after slowing down Rice two weeks in the past, however Traylor mentioned Navy is "much more unique" in its method, presenting contemporary challenges. The Roadrunners used a formation with two beginning nostril tackles to gradual the Owls, however the Midshipmen may require a separate look.
"Each group's completely different," UTSA nook RJ Lester mentioned. "Each group has other ways of attending to their possibility stuff. And so simply studying your keys and being project sound, I really feel like we'll have sport."
Key matchup
UTSA offensive line vs. Navy rush protection
The Roadrunners' O-line has been below the microscope this season because the group battled accidents and a shuffling deal with rotation, however Traylor mentioned the bettering unit delivered its greatest efficiency in opposition to South Florida. Navy will current one other stiff check, getting into Saturday ranked atop the American Convention by permitting simply 96.6 dashing yards per sport.
Prediction
UTSA 24, Navy 17
The Roadrunners proved in opposition to Rice that they lastly have the solutions to an possibility offense, and Traylor's 26-1 report within the Alamodome in opposition to convention opponents is an excessive amount of to disregard. Anticipate yet one more tight sport within the fourth quarter, however UTSA will discover a technique to win.
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