C-USA Football Preview Recap

#14 Charlotte 49ers
#13 Rice Owls
#12 UTEP Miners

Record: 6-5

Wins: Baylor, Southern, Texas State, Rice, UTEP, Marshall

Losses: Southern Miss., North Texas, FIU, UAB, Louisiana Tech

Through the first three games of the 2017 campaign, UTSA seemed to be a serious C-USA contender. The Roadrunners defeated Baylor, Southern, and Texas State consecutively: outscoring its foes 112-41. Had the Houston game not been canceled, it would be safe to assume that the Roadrunners had a legitimate shot against the Cougars.

Piece by piece, UTSA started to lose itself after those first three games. The Roadrunners lost in absolute heart breakers to Southern Miss. (29-31) and North Texas (26-29). They hit a wall and were never able to get back on track. UTSA finished the season 6-5, but could have, easily, been an 8 or 9 win team.

Those close games might be easier to swallow if the team returned some key players in 2018...but they are not. Unfortunately, the Roadrunners are losing a quality offense: quarterback Dalton Sturm, running back Tyrell Clay, three of the top receivers, and three starters from the offensive linemen.

The silver lining is that the defense is not rebuilding. In 2017, UTSA's defense ranked:

-#2 in total yards allowed
-#7 in yards allowed per game
-#2 in total passing yards allowed
-#3 in passing yards allowed per game
#13 in total rushing yards allowed
#25 in rushing yards allowed per game
#8 in total points allowed
-#8 in points allowed per game

Quarterback

As mentioned, the Roadrunners are losing Dalton Sturm. So a five quarterback battle ensued: none of whom have considerable playing time. This past spring, redshirt freshman Frank Harris - who seemed to be the heir-apparent - suffered a knee injury. It was hoped that his return would be in 2018, however, it seems doubtful that Harris will see any action this season.

And then there were four: Bryce Rivers, Cordale Grundy, GJ Gillins, and Jordan Weeks.

There are simply too many unknowns with this position to even begin to analyze who will be QB1 or what will happen this season. It goes without saying, there will be options.

Running Back

The Roadrunners lose two of their top three rushers from 2017 in Tyrell Clay (608 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns) and Dalton Sturm (545 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, and 2 touchdowns). Fortunately for the team, Jalen Rhodes does return in 2018. Last season, Rhodes led UTSA with 659 yards, 4.9 yards per carry, and 5 touchdowns.

After losing two players who rushed for 500+ yards in 2017, more will be demanded from Brett Winnegan and B.J. Daniels. Combined, the two rushed for 182 yards, averaged 5.85 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown.

Is the running corps going to dominate the conference? Probably not. But the foundation is there for something sturdy and reliable.

Receivers

In addition to a new quarterback, the Roadrunners have to find a way to compensate for losing three of their top receivers from 2017. Josh Stewart, Kerry Thomas Jr., and Brady Jones accounted for nearly 60% of the team's total receiving yards, combined averaged 12.9 yards per reception, and accounted for 9 touchdowns.

Cue "next man up" mantra.

Greg Campbell Jr. and Marquez McNair (nephew of the late Steve McNair) accounted for 43 catches, 477 receiving yards, 11.1 yards per reception, and 2 touchdowns.

The not-so-good news: The TBD quarterback will be tasked with making something out of a lot of depth issues and uncertainties.

The good news: The Roadrunners have a slew of former and incoming three-star recruits who could break out at any moment: (sophomore tight end Chance McLeod, redshirt freshmen wideouts Tariq Woolen and Dadrian Taylor, and 3 incoming freshmen).

Offensive Line

Given the inexperience of the next quarterback, and unknowns surrounding the receivers, losing three starters from the offensive line will not help matters. Last year, the o-line had a difficult time keeping defenses out of the backfield and, additionally, allowed 26 sacks.

Even with reliability out of Jalen Rhodes, he will need all the help he can get up front.

Key to the Offense in 2018

The attack needs to...attack

Last year, the Roadrunners - despite some close matchups - were mostly playing catch-up. In 2018, they have to hit and hit hard. With new offensive coordinator Al Borges, it is likely that there will be more shotgun formations and downfield passing. This only works if everyone can get on the same page and not let inexperience drag them down.

Secondary

The secondary returns safeties Carl Austin III and C.J. Levine, but they lose their two top corners. Regardless, it is not time to worry. Sophomore corners Teddrick McGhee and Javontavius Mosley will step up to fill the void.

Austin and Levine combined for 94 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 5 pass deflections, and 1 fumble recovery.

The secondary [and defense as a whole] is still in good shape. However, the corners will have to come through; otherwise, the second-best pass defense in the nation could take a bit of a tumble.

No pressure, right?

Linebackers

Josiah Tauaefa returns...butttttt...the team also loses its other three top linebackers.

Tauaefa totaled 29 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 2 pass deflections, 3 quarterback hurries, and 1 fumble recovery.

Finding playmakers at linebacker should not be too difficult. UTSA has three three-star freshmen. Like most of the position groups, the linebackers are not completely depleted and still have someone they can build a foundation upon.

Defensive Line

Losing Marcus Davenport (Saints, 1st round, 14th overall) will be a huge blow. In 2017, Davenport accumulated 55 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 pass breakups, 4 pass deflections, 8 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Someone reproducing those numbers - although technically possible - will probably not happen in 2018.

The job is harder without Davenport, but the defensive line returns some solid guys.

-Eric Banks: 24 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 pass deflection, 1 quarterback hurry, and 3 forced fumbles.
-Kevin Strong Jr.: 27 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 4 quarterback hurries.
-King Newton: 18 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery.
-Jarrod Carter-Mclin: 9 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup

Key to the Defense in 2018

Secondary cannot drop-off

Corners Austin Jupe and Devron Davis accounted for 54 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 13 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.

But they are gone.

Free safety Nate Gaines had 41 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions, 4 pass deflections.

He is gone.

The secondary simply cannot afford to take a stumble in 2018.

UTSA's special teams is in pretty good shape. Punter Yannis Routsas and place-kicker Jared Sackett both return. Routsas punted a total of 1,953 yards, averaged 41.6 yards per punt, and 28 punts landed inside of the 20. Sackett went 19-22 on field goals and 23-24 on PATs.

Head coach Frank Wilson's offense is in rebound/reload/rebuild mode. To that point, it seems that every position, on both sides of the ball, lost some major contributors. Even so, the defense is in a good state, but it may not be enough to make up for any offensive setbacks. Defense absolutely cannot stumble or everything falls apart. Meanwhile, the offense will have to miraculously find their identity and have things honed before Game 1.

September 1 @ Arizona State
September 8 vs. Baylor
September 15 @ Kansas State
September 22 vs. Texas State
September 29 vs. UTEP
October 6 @ Rice
October 13 vs. Louisiana Tech
October 20 @ Southern Miss.
November 3 @ UAB
November 10 vs. FIU
November 17 @ Marshall
November 24 vs. North Texas

Projected Record: 4-8
Wins: Texas State, UTEP, Rice, FIU