Mental Mistakes Doom UTSA in Tough Loss to Rice

© Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

The Rice Owls (2-4, 1-2 American Athletic Conference) defeated the UTSA Roadrunners (2-4, 0-2) in a dramatic 29-27 finish on Oct. 12 at Rice Stadium in Houston. Echoing Denny Green’s famous line, "They are who we thought they were," the 2024 Roadrunners continue to undermine themselves with mental mistakes. Few teams can overcome 16 penalties for 146 yards in a single game and still emerge victorious.

Game Summary

UTSA opened the scoring on its fourth drive with a 15-play, 55-yard march that ended in a 45-yard FG by kicker Tate Sandell. Rice responded with a four-play, 75-yard drive, capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from quarterback EJ Warner, making it 6-3 after a missed extra point. It was Rice's first lead over UTSA since Oct. 19, 2019.

The Roadrunners reached the end zone for the first time with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Owen McCown to wide receiver DJ Allen, reclaiming the lead at 10-6.

Rice capitalized on a failed UTSA onside kick late in the half, adding three points on a 46-yard field goal by kicker Enock Gota. The halftime score was 10-9 in favor of the Roadrunners.

The Owls came out of the locker room the more inspired and focused team, dominating the Roadrunners 14-3 in the third quarter and outgaining them 168 to 41 in total yards. Rice struck quickly on the first drive of the second half with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Warner to running back Dean Connors. Connors added his second TD on the next possession with an 8-yard run, giving Rice a 23-13 lead going into the fourth quarter.

UTSA showed grit and resolve, battling back from a 10-point deficit to score 14 points on two TD passes from McCown, taking a 27-23 lead. The first was a 6-yard pass to wide receiver Devin McCuin, followed by a 38-yard pass to wide-open tight end Houston Thomas.

However, Rice, led by Warner, responded with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that concluded with an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Matt Sykes, giving Rice a 29-27 lead that held as the final score.

Turning Point for UTSA

No need to overthink this one. With nine seconds left, Rice faced a second-and-25 at the UTSA 32-yard line after an offensive pass interference penalty. Warner had plenty of time and found Sykes in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. The Roadrunners struggled to pressure Warner all game, finishing with just one sack, and their lack of pressure proved costly in the end.

What it Means

Coach Jeff Traylor has instilled the 'Triangle of Toughness' motto as the foundation of UTSA’s culture, emphasizing selfless effort, integrity, passion and both mental and physical toughness. Despite coming off a bye week that included the staff self-scouting, the Roadrunners committed a season-high 16 penalties and appeared uninspired throughout the game. Based on this performance, Traylor and his staff are dangerously close to losing the team and the locker room. In retrospect, did the staff make the right or wrong moves in the offseason?

Rice coach Mike Bloomgren had never beaten UTSA, with the Owls losing the last eight games in the series. Now, with their first conference win, the Owls will look to build on the momentum of their comeback victory as they face Tulane (4-2, 2-0) next week.