In a hard-fought Week 8 American Athletic Conference matchup, the UTSA Roadrunners surged in the fourth quarter to secure a 38-24 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday. Quarterback Owen McCown led the charge for UTSA, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns, but also endured a couple of setbacks, including a crucial fumble that Florida Atlantic returned for a touchdown.
UTSA (3-4, 1-2 AAC) leaned heavily on McCown’s arm, as he completed 26 of 45 passes. Despite two interceptions and a fumble, McCown’s performance helped the Roadrunners amass 485 yards of total offense, keeping them competitive against the scrappy FAU defense. The game reached a turning point late in the third quarter, when McCown’s fumble was scooped up by Wendol Philord, who dashed 49 yards for a touchdown that tied the game at 24.
The Roadrunners, however, responded strongly in the final quarter. Benefiting from good field position, UTSA methodically built their lead. Kicker Tate Sandell delivered two key field goals, the first a 41-yarder to cap an eight-play, 38-yard drive, and the second a 27-yard kick following a short 14-yard drive. These six points gave UTSA a 30-24 edge heading into the final minutes of the game.
With time winding down, UTSA sealed the win with a dynamic 29-yard touchdown run by Brandon High Jr., pushing the Roadrunners’ lead to 36-24. A successful two-point conversion on the following play put the finishing touches on the victory, capping off a 14-point fourth-quarter burst that proved too much for FAU to overcome.
The Roadrunners’ defense was a major factor throughout the game, limiting the Owls to just 203 total yards and sacking FAU quarterback Cam Fancher seven times. Fancher struggled to find his rhythm, completing just 9 of 19 passes for 96 yards. Despite the tough passing day, he led FAU with 56 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
The loss dropped Florida Atlantic to 2-5 on the season and 0-3 in conference play, while UTSA improved to 3-4 and picked up their first AAC win of the year. The win for UTSA showcased a balanced offensive effort and a tenacious defense, as they overcame adversity in the third quarter and finished strong to secure the victory.
Key Performances:
- Owen McCown (UTSA): 26-of-45 passing, 340 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 fumble
- Brandon High Jr. (UTSA): 29-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter
- Tate Sandell (UTSA): Two fourth-quarter field goals (41 yards, 27 yards)
- Wendol Philord (FAU): 49-yard fumble return for a touchdown
- Cam Fancher (FAU): 9-of-19 passing, 96 yards, 56 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
UTSA’s win keeps their bowl hopes alive, as they look to build momentum heading into the latter half of the season. For Florida Atlantic, the search for their first AAC victory continues as they regroup for the challenges ahead.
