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UTSA Roadrunners football

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UTSA Roadrunners football
NameUTSA Roadrunners football
Founded2009
First season2011
StadiumAlamodome
Capacity36,582 (expandable)
CitySan Antonio, Texas
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
CoachJeff Traylor
Conference champs2 (C-USA: 2021, 2022)
Bowl record2–3
Current year2024 season

UTSA Roadrunners football. The program represents The University of Texas at San Antonio in the sport of American football. Competing as a member of the American Athletic Conference, the Roadrunners began play in 2011 and have quickly established a significant presence in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football. The team plays its home games at the Alamodome in downtown San Antonio and is currently led by head coach Jeff Traylor.

History

The program was officially announced in 2009 under the leadership of then-university president Ricardo Romo and athletic director Lynn Hickey. Larry Coker, former head coach of the Miami Hurricanes and winner of the 2001 BCS national championship, was hired as the inaugural head coach to build the team from scratch. The Roadrunners played their first game in 2011 against Northeastern State at the Alamodome, marking the start of a rapid ascent through the collegiate football ranks. After initial seasons as an FCS independent and a member of the Western Athletic Conference, UTSA transitioned to Conference USA in 2013, achieving full FBS status. This period was defined by the foundational work of early players like Eric Soza and the program's first bowl appearance in the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

Notable seasons

The 2021 season was a historic breakthrough, as the Roadrunners, led by quarterback Frank Harris and safety Rashad Wisdom, finished the regular season 11–1 and won the Conference USA Championship against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. This earned the team a berth in the 2021 Frisco Bowl. The success continued in 2022, with UTSA repeating as Conference USA champions with a victory over the North Texas Mean Green and earning a bid to the 2022 Cure Bowl. The 2023 season marked the program's debut in the American Athletic Conference, where they again competed for a conference title, finishing as runner-up to the SMU Mustangs and playing in the 2023 Frisco Bowl.

Rivalries

UTSA's primary rivalry is with the UTEP Miners, known as the "I-10 Series" due to the interstate highway connecting El Paso and San Antonio. The series began in 2013 upon UTSA's entry into Conference USA. Another significant rivalry exists with the Texas State Bobcats, a matchup often called the "I-35 Showdown" referencing the corridor between San Marcos and San Antonio; this series dates to the program's first season in 2011. Games against the North Texas Mean Green and the Rice Owls have also developed into competitive conference contests with increased stakes in the American Athletic Conference.

Stadium

Since its inception, the Roadrunners have played all home games at the Alamodome, a multi-purpose indoor stadium located in downtown San Antonio. The venue, which also hosts the Alamo Bowl and events like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, provides a consistent home-field advantage with a capacity of 36,582 for football, expandable for major games. The Alamodome has been the site of many program milestones, including the first game in 2011, the 2021 conference championship, and record-setting crowds that have exceeded 40,000 fans.

Players and personnel

The program has been led by three head coaches: founding coach Larry Coker (2011–2015), Frank Wilson (2016–2019), and current coach Jeff Traylor (2020–present). Traylor, a former high school coach in Gilmer, has been instrumental in the team's recent success, winning back-to-back Conference USA Coach of the Year awards. Notable players in program history include record-setting quarterback Frank Harris, all-conference wide receiver Zakhari Franklin, and defensive standouts like Marcus Davenport, a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2018 NFL Draft, and Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks.

The rapid rise and distinctive "Birds Up" hand sign of the UTSA Roadrunners have garnered local and regional media attention, frequently featured on broadcasts by ESPN and Fox Sports. The team's success has been highlighted in national publications such as Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. The program's unique identity is celebrated through its mascot, Rowdy the Roadrunner, and its marching band, the "Spirit of San Antonio," which performs at games in the Alamodome. The team's colors of navy blue, orange, and white are prominently displayed throughout the city during the football season.

Category:American Athletic Conference football teams Category:College football teams in Texas Category:University of Texas at San Antonio