By Nicholas Brady
Sports Reporter
The Texas State Bobcats return to Jim Wacker Field inside Bobcat Stadium this Saturday in the I-35 rivalry against the University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners.
The Bobcats are coming off a hard-fought game against the SMU Mustangs in the season opener last Saturday where the ‘Cats fell 31-24.
Texas State looked improved on both sides of the ball compared to last season. In their previous meeting just a year prior with the Mustangs, the Bobcats were blown out 47-17.
Saturday marks UTSA’s season opener and first game under new head coach Jeff Traylor. Traylor joins the Roadrunners after spending the last two seasons at the University of Arkansas.
UTSA finished last season with a record of 4-8 (3-5 in conference) finishing fifth in the West Division of Conference USA.
Offensively, UTSA is led by 2019 Conference USA Freshman Player of the Year running back Sincere McCormick.
McCormick rushed for 983 yards and eight touchdowns on 177 attempts for 81.9 yards per game last year, including a UTSA single-game rushing record (189 yards) against UTEP.
UTSA will debut a new starting quarterback junior Josh Adkins, who joined the Roadrunners this offseason from New Mexico State as a graduate transfer.
In two seasons with the Aggies, Adkins started 20 games including all 12 games last year, leading them to a record of 2-10. Over his career with the Aggies, Adkins threw for 5,151 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Adkins had been prone to throwing interceptions throughout his career, throwing 24 over his two seasons with the Aggies. The Bobcat defense will look to take advantage and force turnovers.
Defensively the Roadrunners will lean on 2019 Conference USA honorable mention senior defensive lineman Jaylon Haynes and sophomore safety Rashad Wisdom, who made the Conference USA All-Freshman team in his first season with the Roadrunners.
In 2019, Haynes had 40 tackles including a team-leading 12.5 tackles for loss. UTSA will look to have a strong pass rush to force Texas State quarterback Brady McBride out of the pocket where he made some risky throws back across his body last week versus SMU.
UTSA won the last matchup between the two teams 25-21 in 2018 and leads the all-time series 3-0. Texas State enters the game as an eight-and-a-half-point favorite.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN 2 and over the radio on KTSW 89.9. Follow @KTSWSports on twitter for all the latest information on Texas State football.
Featured Image by Nathan Rarangol
