Tulsa Completes Epic Comeback to Shock UTSA 46-45

© Mike Watters-Imagn Images

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-5, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) shocked the UTSA Roadrunners (3-5, 2-2) 46-45 on Oct. 26 at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Okla. Tulsa outscored UTSA 39-10 in the second half, rallying from a 28-point halftime deficit for a stunning comeback and a painful UTSA collapse. Tulsa quarterback Cooper Legas hit wide receiver Kamdyn Benjamin for the game-winning score with under 2 minutes left in the game.

Game Summary

In the first half, UTSA displayed the offensive firepower fans had been waiting for all season. The Roadrunners amassed 364 yards and scored 5 touchdowns, building a commanding 35-7 lead by halftime. Quarterback Owen McCown threw 3 TD passes to establish an early 20-0 lead, including a 9-yard pass to tight end Oscar Cardenas, a 69-yard strike to wide receiver Chris Carpenter and a 23-yard toss to tight end Dan Dishman.

Tulsa responded with a 31-yard TD pass from quarterback Cooper Legas to running back Bill Jackson, narrowing the score to 20-7. UTSA answered decisively, adding two more TDs—a 9-yard run by running back Robert Henry and a 28-yard fumble return by defensive lineman Daemian Wimberly—extending their lead to a seemingly secure 28 points by halftime.

At the start of the second half, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor and his staff likely anticipated cruising to their fourth victory, perhaps even opening up the bench.

However, in a dramatic turn, Tulsa outscored the Roadrunners 39-10, completing one of college football’s most surprising comebacks. The Golden Hurricane’s rally began with a 35-yard TD fumble return by DL Amieh Williams—the game’s second scoop-and-score—cutting UTSA’s lead to 35-14.

Tulsa backup QB Cooper Legas threw four second-half TD passes, finishing 16-of-31 with 333 yards and 5 TDs overall. How rough was the second half for UTSA? ESPN reported UTSA held a 99.9 percent win probability with 5:14 left in the fourth, leading 45-32 while Tulsa started on their own 25-yard line. UTSA’s defense, which allowed just 100 yards in the first half, gave up 333 in the second. Tulsa’s 39-point second-half surge topped their previous three-game total of 37 points.

Turning Point for UTSA

With 2:02 left in the game, Tulsa took over at their own 8-yard line, trailing 45-39. Legas then led an 8-play, 92-yard drive, capping it with a 4-yard TD pass to Benjamin—his third TD of the game—after just 1:01 came off the clock. The extra point sealed Tulsa’s remarkable comeback, completing a 46-45 victory.

What It Means

UTSA’s first-half performance was dominant and effective—the team that fans had been hoping to see all season. Unfortunately, the second half revealed familiar struggles with consistency and mental toughness. After seeming to shake off penalty issues in last week’s win over Florida Atlantic (2-5, 0-3), UTSA committed 12 penalties for 129 yards against Tulsa. With bowl hopes extinguished, Traylor faces the challenge of keeping his team motivated and focused through the season’s final four games.

Tulsa’s thrilling homecoming comeback will be remembered for years, though plenty of fans may have left at halftime, missing the Golden Hurricane’s astonishing victory. Those who didn’t stay likely heard the score in shock later on. Looking ahead, will Tulsa build on this momentum or continue to struggle in the AAC? This game may signal a turning point if the Golden Hurricane can sustain their late-game resilience in upcoming games.