For 21 seniors on UTSA’s roster, Friday night time’s matchup with the University of South Florida Bulls will almost certainly be the ultimate common season sport they play within the Alamodome.
Some listed as seniors may have the opportunity to return subsequent 12 months — and the opportunity of the Roadrunners internet hosting an American Athletic Conference championship sport exists — however most might be taking part in their closing sport within the Alamodome.
“It’s always tough. I’m close to all of those guys,” UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor mentioned. “It’s always an emotional night. We’ve talked about it. It will be a special night for those guys.”
This group of seniors is the muse upon which this golden period of Roadrunner soccer was constructed. They have been instrumental within the back-to-back convention championships received in Conference USA the final two years.
“I hadn’t won much in football before coming here,” UTSA offensive lineman Terrell Haynes mentioned. “Being able to win those conference championships meant everything.”
UTSA (7-3 general, 6-0 AAC) vs. South Florida (5-5, 3-3)
When: Friday, Nov. 17, 8 p.m.
Where: Alamodome
If you go: VIA Park & Ride service is out there from Crossroads Park & Ride.
How to watch: ESPN2
Now as members of the American Athletic Conference, the Roadrunners (7-3 general, 6-0 within the AAC) proceed to keep a spot on the prime of the league standings, battling Tulane and SMU — which like UTSA are undefeated in convention play — for one among two spots within the convention championship sport.
“We’re doing good, especially in this new conference,” UTSA tight finish Oscar Cardenas mentioned. “It’s tougher competition.”
As they prepare for his or her closing house sport on Friday night time, the seniors have been reflecting on their time at UTSA, most of them having gotten an additional 12 months of eligibility due to the pandemic.
“Having been here these past six years, it just shows like how much success has happened here, you know, since I was here with the last coaching staff back in 2018,” UTSA defensive lineman Trumane Bell mentioned. “I just see how it is being on a losing team to a winning team and having a good culture.”
After every follow this week, seniors have been telling their tales and what they’ve discovered as Roadrunners to the youthful gamers.
“I kind of got emotional, but it was fun,” UTSA security Kelechi Nwachuku mentioned of giving his senior speech after follow. “I gave thanks to everyone who got me here. Playing college football for six years is tough, and it takes a village. I just wanted to share how appreciative I am of all of them.”
There will definitely be feelings on show within the crowd and on the sphere when quarterback Frank Harris and security Rashad Wisdom are acknowledged. Both Harris and Wisdom got here to UTSA from native excessive faculties when Frank Wilson was head coach and stayed at UTSA when Traylor was employed. Harris was a part of senior day final season however returned for his closing 12 months of eligibility this 12 months.
“I’ve been through so much, you know, being at UTSA,” Harris mentioned. “It’s finally coming to an end, so it hasn’t really hit me just yet, but I know when Friday comes,and with all my family and seeing how my teammates go out there, it will definitely hit me.”
All the sentimentality might be on show for the ceremony earlier than the sport and because the seniors linger on the sphere after the sport, however as soon as the sport kicks off all consideration might be on making an attempt to knock off the South Florida Bulls (5-5, 3-3).
After solely profitable 4 video games between 2020 and 2022, the 2023 Bulls are at .500 beneath new Head Coach Alex Golesh. It’s the primary assembly between UTSA and South Florida.
