Hispanic Heritage Game features C-USA championship rematch between UTSA and WKU

UTSA will host Western Kentucky in a rematch of the 2021 Conference USA Championship Game at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome. Photo by Brandon Fletcher

OCTOBER 6, 2022 — An eventful evening awaits at the Alamodome as UTSA hosts Western Kentucky at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 8. The showdown is UTSA’s annual Hispanic Heritage Game. The university will also be celebrating Family Weekend throughout the day. The contest pits two preseason favorites in a rematch of the 2021 Conference USA Championship Game, which resulted in a joyous 49-41 victory for the Roadrunners last December.

UTSA (3-2) kicked off conference play with a 45-30 win at Middle Tennessee on Friday, September 30. It was a big night for quarterback Frank Harris, who threw for 414 yards to set the UTSA record for passing yards in a game—breaking the record he set just one week prior against Texas Southern. Harris also surpassed Eric Soza ’13 to become the program’s all-time leader in career passing yards. Harris has now passed for 7,017 yards in a UTSA uniform.

For his outstanding efforts, Harris was recognized as the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season. Harris leads the NCAA’s Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in total yards of offense per game (383.4) and he ranks second nationally in passing yards (1,724) this season—trailing only Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. by a mere nine yards.

Western Kentucky (3-2) looked unstoppable in its first conference game: a 73-0 rout of Florida International on September 24. However, the Hilltoppers lost 34-27 to Troy in their final non-conference game of the season last Saturday. The Roadrunners will look to a raucous home crowd to help them overcome Western Kentucky’s high-powered offense. UTSA boasts a 13-2 record in the Alamodome under head coach Jeff Traylor.

In honor of the university’s continuing recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Saturday’s matchup has been tabbed as UTSA’s annual Hispanic Heritage Game. Folklorico dancers and a mariachi band will perform during the pre-game Spirit Walk and at halftime with the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band to celebrate Hispanic culture. Rowdy Town will also feature a live performance by Los Chicanos Tejano Band.

UTSA Football will also be celebrating Family Weekend during Saturday’s game. The UTSA Family of the Year, as selected through an annual essay contest, will be recognized during the pre-game coin toss. Families of UTSA students will also be invited to attend the Student Indoor Tailgate and sit in the UTSA student section (more information below).

Roadrunner Nation is invited to show its school spirit on Saturday at the following family-friendly events:

UTSA and its fans will celebrate Family Weekend and Hispanic Heritage on Saturday at the Alamodome. Photo by Brandon Fletcher

PRE-GAME

Rowdy Town
2 p.m., H-E-B Plaza (north side of the Alamodome)

Roadrunner fans of all ages can take part in free pre-game fun at Rowdy Town, including live music by Los Chicanos Tejano Band, an inflatable obstacle course, interactive games, displays, food samples and beverages.

UTSA Alumni Association's Roadrunner Nation Tailgate
2 p.m., Hoefgen Lot (499 Hoefgen Ave.)

The UTSA Alumni Association invites fans to the official Roadrunner Nation Tailgate. Enjoy food, drinks, activities and giveaways, along with visits from UTSA Cheer, the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and Rowdy the Roadrunner. Several types of tickets are available for the Roadrunner Nation Tailgate. Blue tickets are $20 and come with a food ticket and a cash bar. Orange tickets are $45 and come with a food ticket and open bar privileges. Tickets are $10 for students aged 13-20, who receive a food ticket and a non-alcoholic drink. Children 12 and under are admitted for free. Discounts are also given to UTSA Alumni Association members.

Spirit Walk
2:45 p.m., Alamodome, Roadrunner Alley (between Lots B and C)

This exciting tradition gets Roadrunner fans and the UTSA team pumped up for the game. Join the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and UTSA spirit squads as they accompany the team down Roadrunner Alley and into the Alamodome approximately two hours before each home game. Fans can line the walkway between the Alamodome parking lots B and C to cheer on the team. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, folklorico dancers and a mariachi band will join the festivities.

UTSA Student Indoor Tailgate: Family Weekend Edition
3:30 to 4:45 p.m., Alamodome, Hall of Fame Club (north end of Club level)

Roadrunner families are invited to this special Student Indoor Tailgate, where they can connect and cool down before the game. Free food and beverages will be available while supplies last and door prizes, such as game concession vouchers and UTSA apparel, will be given away. DJ Wynkoop and QuickStrike Entertainment will provide fun and excitement before kickoff.

GOING TO THE GAME

Tickets

Tickets are on sale by calling or texting 210-458-UTSA (8872) or visiting ticketmaster.com. UTSA has transitioned to digital tickets through Account Manager. All students currently enrolled at UTSA are eligible for free admission to all home football games. UTSA students may purchase up to four guest tickets for student-section seating.

For walk-up sales, the Alamodome’s southwest box office will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and all other Alamodome box offices will open at 2:30 p.m. Customer service windows are located at the northeast and southeast box offices. 

Game day parking and tailgating

Parking in Alamodome Lots A, B and C is limited to fans who already have purchased permits. A limited number of disabled parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The lots will open at 10:30 a.m. for those who have valid parking passes. Please do NOT enter prior to 10:30 a.m. or staff will ask you to vacate your spot(s) and re-enter once the lots are open. There are several paid public parking lots in the general vicinity of the Alamodome.

Visit UTSA Athletics online for more information and City of San Antonio tailgating guidelines. Student organization tailgating begins at 1 p.m.

Getting to the game

With Family Weekend in full swing, students and their family members may park at the UTSA Main Campus and catch a UTSA shuttle to the game at the North Paseo Bus Oval, just outside of the North Paseo Building. Shuttles will begin service to the Alamodome at 2 p.m. The last shuttle to the game will depart campus at 4:30 p.m. To avoid possible delays, students and their Family Weekend guests are encouraged to catch a shuttle early in the departure window. Riders will be dropped off and picked up at the Robert Thompson Transit Station at the Alamodome. Buses will begin return service back to UTSA at the start of the fourth quarter and the last shuttle bus from the Alamodome will depart one hour after the end of the game.

VIA has announced that it will serve UTSA home football games. VIA’s Park & Ride Service offers roundtrip travel to the Alamodome for just $2.60. Service to all UTSA home games will be provided from the Crossroads Park & Ride, beginning three hours before game time, and return service will run for one hour after each game. The Park & Ride fare is $1.30 each way with discounted fares available for children, seniors, students and active-duty military. Pre-purchase tickets on VIA’s goMobile+ app, available to download free on Apple and Android devices. Cash and credit cards are accepted on game day at the Crossroads Park & Ride location.

UTSA students can use their U-Pass for service to the game. VIAtrans customers and children under age 5 ride free. VIA bus passes are not valid for this service. VIA’s day pass, 7-day pass, and 31-day pass are valid for special event service.

The drop-off and pick-up location for rideshare users is located in Parking Lot D next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center at the corner of Montana Street and Tower of Americas Way.

Alamodome entry

Please enter the stadium early to avoid long lines. Doors open to the public at 3:30 p.m. Fans should read the Alamodome clear bag policy before entering the stadium, including the list of approved bags. Speed lanes will be available at security checkpoints for those with no bags. Please have your keys, phone and wallet out before getting to the scanners. Please have your tickets out or loaded on your phone with the screen brightness turned all the way up before reaching the doors.

Student seating

Student seating is general admission within sections 122-131. To accommodate increased student attendance, sections 220-226 on the Club Level will also be open for student general admission seating. The Spirit of San Antonio band will occupy sections 127-128.

Family Weekend guest seating

Families of UTSA students who purchase Family Weekend guest tickets may sit in the student section to cheer on the Roadrunners on Saturday. These Family Weekend guest tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, October 7.

UTSA gear

Fans can buy the latest UTSA apparel and accessories from the Rowdy Campus Store, which will be set up in Lot B near Roadrunner Alley. Merchandise sales counters are also located inside the Alamodome on the Plaza Level concourses near sections 106 and 118.

WATCH. TWEET. CELEBRATE.

Television and radio broadcasts

Saturday’s game will air on ESPN+ and is available on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. Lincoln Rose will provide play-by-play commentary alongside analyst LaDarrin McLane.

The radio broadcast will air live on Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area. Andy Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (reporter) will call the action. The pregame show will begin at 3 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.

Game day traditions and social media

First, get into game mode by brushing up on UTSA’s traditions including the fight song and alma mater. Then, stay engaged with fellow Roadrunners by sharing your UTSA game day experiences on social media using the hashtags #UTSA, #BirdsUp, #LetsGo210 and #210TriangleOfToughness. All Roadrunner fans are encouraged to follow UTSA Football and UTSA Athletics on Twitter and UTSA on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Campus experience

During the football season, the Monument lights and Student Union Tower lights will glow blue and orange during home game weeks. After a win, the lights turn orange in celebration for the rest of the weekend.

— Shea Conner