FACTS & STATS: Site: Alamodome (72,000) — San Antonio, Texas.
Television: American Sports Network. Home Record: UNM 0-3, UTSA 0-1. Away
Record: UNM 1-0, UTSA 1-2. Neutral Record: UNM 0-0, UTSA 0-0. Conference
Record: UNM 0-1, UTSA 0-1. Series Record: Texas-San Antonio leads, 1-0.
GAME NOTES: A pair of 1-3 teams will try to get their seasons back on the
right track in a non-conference bout on Saturday afternoon, as the New Mexico
Lobos travel to the Alamodome to take on the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners.
New Mexico hosted Fresno State last Friday night in its Mountain West
Conference opener and fell on the wrong end of a 35-24 decision, dropping to
1-3 in the process. The Lobos’ lone win this season came in their only road
game, beating rival New Mexico State on Sept. 20, 38-35.
UTSA opened up the season on a high note with a 27-7 road victory over
Houston, but since then it has fallen into a tailspin with losses in three
straight. The Roadrunners began their Conference USA slate of games last
weekend at Florida Atlantic and fell on the wrong end of a 41-37 decision,
coughing up a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in the process.
The teams met for the first time in the 2013 season opener, with UTSA coming
away with a 21-13 win in Albuquerque.
The Lobos (27.2 ppg) operate a run-heavy offense, with 333.5 of their 423.8
ypg coming on the ground, and they boasted another strong rushing performance
last week versus Fresno State with 285 yards.
Crusoe Gongbay set a career high with 163 yards on 28 carries the last time
out, a performance which allowed him to take over the team lead in rushing
(331 yards, two TDs). Jhurell Pressley (284 yards, three TDs) is also heavily
involved.
Cole Gautsche, a big running threat under center (20 carries, 237 yards, two
TDs), has missed two games due to injury and is questionable for this matchup
with a hamstring issue. Lamar Jordan (14-of-21, 243 yards, three TDs, 107
rushing yards, TD) has impressed in Gautsche’s absence.
Jeric Magnant (seven receptions, 78 yards, TD) and Teriyon Gipson (six
receptions, 79 yards, TD) lead a modest receiving corps, although Gipson is
questionable with an ankle injury.
New Mexico has not been up to par on the defensive side of the ball, allowing
541.8 ypg and 39.8 ppg. The unit surrendered 30 first downs and nearly 600
yards to Fresno State last week.
Dakota Cox has been a tackling machine with 44 stops and he also has one of
the team’s three interceptions. David Guthrie is the only other defender of
note with 19 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.
UTSA had its best offensive showing of the season its last time out, as it
piled up 37 points and 412 yards in the loss to FAU to bring its season
averages to 25.0 ppg and 307.5 ypg.
Tucker Carter has been modest at best under center, completing 57.7 percent of
his passes for 672 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Blake
Bogenschutz (8-of-14, 82 yards, INT) could be in line for more work if the
struggles continue.
The team puts up a mere 119 rushing yards per game. David Glasco II (228
yards, four TDs) gets the majority of the work but averages just 3.6 yards per
carry.
David Morgan II is Carter’s preferred target in the passing game with 14
receptions for 196 yards and a score. He’s the only player with more than 100
yards receiving.
The Roadrunners haven’t played especially well on the defensive side of the
ball either, allowing 29.2 ppg and 387.0 ypg.
Drew Douglas and Jens Jeters both have 24 tackles to lead the team, while
Jeters has forced a fumble and recovered two others. Jason Neill creates
pressure behind the line of scrimmage with 4.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.
UTSA’s biggest strength is its rushing defense, which allows just 118.2 ypg,
so if it can keep New Mexico’s ground game in check, it can expect to come out
victorious on its home field.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Texas-San Antonio 30, New Mexico 27
