Saturday night brings long-awaited clash between UTSA and UT-Austin

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 — Thousands of Roadrunners will be road-trippers this weekend as UTSA Football makes the short drive north on Interstate 35 to take on the Texas Longhorns in Austin. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Darrell K. Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium. Saturday’s game will mark the first ever meeting between the two UT System institutions on the gridiron.

UTSA (1-1) is riding high after a wildly entertaining 41-38 overtime victory at Army on September 10. The Roadrunners erased a 28-14 third-quarter deficit with three consecutive touchdowns before quarterback Frank Harris connected with wide receiver De’Corian “J.T.” Clark on a 7-yard touchdown pass to seal the win for UTSA in overtime. It was the first time Army had lost a home opener since 2015. Meanwhile, Jeff Traylor improved to 3-0 in road openers as head coach of the Roadrunners.

Harris turned in yet another masterful performance at Army’s Michie Stadium. The senior quarterback completed 32 of 45 passes for 359 yards—just eight yards shy of the school record—and three passing touchdowns. He also added 30 rushing yards on the ground against the Black Knights. For his tremendous efforts, Harris was named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week. He also earned Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week.

Harris was bolstered by wide receivers Zakhari Franklin and Joshua Cephus, who accounted for 122 and 112 receiving yards respectively. Franklin also chipped in two touchdown receptions, including the 9-yard TD catch that sparked UTSA’s late-game comeback.

No. 20/21 Texas (1-1) played in its own instant classic last Saturday, narrowly falling short in its upset bid against then-No. 1 ranked Alabama. Kicker Will Reichard booted a 33-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the game to lift the Crimson Tide to a 20-19 victory over the Longhorns. UTSA’s clash with Texas on Saturday will be its third against a Top 25 squad in the last four games (including the 2021 Frisco Bowl).

Saturday’s contest will be televised on Longhorn Network. Lowell Galindo will provide play-by-play commentary alongside analyst Sam Acho and reporter Alex Chappell. The radio broadcast will air live on Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area and on SiriusXM app channel 988. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (reporter) will call the action. The pregame show will begin at 5 p.m. and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. The radio broadcast can also be heard online at Ticket760.com and via the iHeartRadio and The Varsity Network apps.

Roadrunner fans traveling to Austin to attend Saturday’s game are invited to the UTSA Alumni Tailgate from 2 to 7 p.m. The tailgate will be located at the Central Service Building (1711 San Jacinto Blvd.) surface lot at the corner of 18th and Trinity streets. Attendees may park at 204 E. 17th St. The event will feature an open bar sponsored by Bud Light, free food (such as breakfast tacos, sausage wraps, hot dogs, pulled pork street tacos and chopped beef sandwiches), cocktail tables, lounge chairs, HDTVs, tailgate games, misting fans and restrooms.

Tickets for the UTSA Alumni Tailgate can be purchased through the UTSA Alumni Association and come with in-and-out privileges. Each ticket is $50, but buyers may use promo code BIRDSUP for a $10 discount.

Longhorn City Limits offers another pregame option. The free gameday concert series, located on the lawn of the LBJ Presidential Library (2313 Red River St.), will feature indie pop rock band Misterwives. The event starts at 3 p.m. Concert-goers can visit the Still Austin Music Lounge or the Tito’s Tailgate to purchase drinks and the Stubb’s BBQ stand to purchase eats.

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UTSA fans staying in San Antonio may visit four watch parties starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at the following locations:

• Picks Bar, 4553 N. Loop 1604 W.
• The Dooryard, 4503 De Zavala Rd. Suite 108
• Camp 1604, 5535 N. Loop 1604 W.
• Smoke BBQ+Skybar, 501 E. Crockett St.

Each location will offer different discounts to Roadrunner fans, so watch-partygoers are encouraged to wear blue and orange gear. UTSA supporters attending the game in person are encouraged to primarily wear blue in Austin on Saturday.

— Shea Conner

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