Roadrunners Ran Away With First Responder Bowl Win

The UTSA Roadrunners ran away with a win in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. UTSA beat FIU 57-20, behind high-scoring second and fourth quarters. In the preview for this matchup, we stated that FIU would need to score early and often due to the number of players the Panthers were without in this contest. Well, the Panthers scored early. They were up 14-0 in the first quarter, but once UTSA started to come back, FIU went cold. FIU didn’t score again until the third quarter, and it was only one touchdown with a failed two-point conversion. The Panthers didn’t score again, not completing the “often” part of the plan.

UTSA Roadrunners Win First Responder Bowl 57-20

After scoring two unanswered touchdowns in the first quarter, FIU stalled. Joe Pesansky was back for the First Responder Bowl and threw the first touchdown to Kyle McNeal for 19 yards. The second, though, came from the special teams. Maguire Anderson returned a punt for 97 yards for the score. This was the last lead FIU had in the bowl game, however. Pesansky finished the day 11-for-31, with 102 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. FIU utilized Keyone Jenkins under center as well. Jenkins didn’t have a very productive day, completing seven of his attempted 14 passes for only 49 yards and an interception.

Overall, the defense may have given up 57 points, but it held UTSA running back Will Henderson III to 59 rushing yards. Unfortunately, UTSA did the majority of its work through the air. Roadrunner quarterback, Owen McCown, threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 10.5 yards per pass. Coming into this contest, we previewed that the Panthers’ secondary was going to be very thin, and UTSA was able to exploit that weakness.

Roadrunners Play Complete Game to Win

Four different players rushed for touchdowns in this win. Henderson III led the way, but Bryson Donnell and A’Marion Peterson got in on the fun as well. Donnell is a transfer from Texas Tech, and despite playing in nine games this season and all 12 last season for UTSA, this was his first rushing touchdown for the Roadrunners. The junior also had his highest rushing total of the season with 51 yards. Peterson is another transfer. He is in his first season with UTSA after leaving USC. Getting more players in on the action is what bowl season is all about, and UTSA was able to accomplish that, not only in the backfield but with the receivers as well.

McCown utilized seven different receivers in his quest. Henderson III even got in on the party. A receiving touchdown brought his scoring total to three on the day. However, McCown’s day wasn’t perfect. FIU forced two fumbles from the signal caller, but UTSA was able to recover both. FIU ended the day with three sacks and five tackles for loss. The pass rush and run defense for the Panthers played well. The secondary did not. The Roadrunners matched the Panthers in sacks with three, but they won the tackle-for-loss and the passes defended battles, both with eight. The Roadrunners also won the turnover battle, securing two interceptions. It was a complete game for UTSA on the way to a big win.