Fourth Down Gamble Leads to Heartbreaking Loss for UTSA

The UTSA Roadrunners (6-6, 4-4 American Athletic Conference) had their three-game winning streak snapped with a  29-24 loss to the Army Black Knights (10-1, 8-0) on Nov. 30 at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y. UTSA reached the Army 42-yard line with 1:23 remaining, but quarterback Owen McCown’s ill-advised throw into triple coverage was intercepted by safety Gavin Shields, sealing the win for the Black Knights. Army completed a perfect 6-0 record at home, while the Roadrunners finished winless on the road at 0-6 for the first time in school history.

Game Summary

Army opened the game with a methodical 13-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 7:37, capped by a 41-yard TD pass from QB Bryson Daily to wide receiver Tyrell Robinson, giving the Black Knights a 7-0 lead. A 15-yard penalty on Daily after the TD set UTSA up with excellent field position at the Army 47-yard line. The Roadrunners capitalized in seven plays, with running back Brandon High Jr. scoring on a 10-yard TD run to tie the game at 7-7.

After each team had two scoreless possessions, Army put together an eight-play, 44-yard drive capped by a 39-yard FG from kicker Trey Gronette to take a 10-7 lead. UTSA responded with a scoring drive of their own, tying the game at 10 with a 33-yard FG by kicker Tate Sandell. The Roadrunners missed an opportunity to capitalize on an Army fumble recovered at their own 40-yard line, giving the ball back to the Black Knights on a bad snap three plays later. Army capitalized by adding a 35-yard FG from Gronette to lead 13-10 at halftime, aiming to improve their season record to 10-0 when leading at the break.

UTSA opened the second half with an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 23-yard TD pass McCown to WR Devin McCuin on fourth-and-1 at the Army 23-yard line, giving the Roadrunners a 17-13 lead. McCuin, playing in his first game since the 29-27 loss to Rice (3-8, 2-5 AAC) on Oct. 12, made a great move to find the end zone. This marked the first time Army trailed in the second half at home since an Oct. 28 game last season against UMass (2-10, Independent). The Black Knights responded with a drive to the UTSA 1-yard line, but the Roadrunners’ defense held firm, forcing Gronette’s 22-yard FG to cut the lead to 17-16 heading into the fourth quarter.

At the start of the fourth quarter, UTSA was stopped short on a controversial decision by coach Jeff Traylor to go for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 16-yard line. Army capitalized five plays later with a 1-yard TD run Daily, taking a 22-17 lead despite a failed two-point conversion. On UTSA's next possession, McCown threw an interception, and Army extended their lead with a 42-yard TD run by Daily to go up 29-17.

Showing resilience, UTSA responded with a quick four-play, 75-yard drive capped by High's second TD run of the game, this time from 6 yards out, narrowing the deficit to 29-24. After UTSA’s defense forced a missed 47-yard FG by Gronette, the Roadrunners reached midfield with aspirations of taking the lead. However, McCown’s ill-advised throw into triple coverage was intercepted by Shields, sealing the game for the Black Knights.

Turning Point for UTSA Roadrunners

UTSA held a 17-16 lead entering the fourth quarter, with their defense playing well. Faced with a fourth-and-1 from their own 16-yard line, Traylor made the ill-fated decision to go for it, but High Jr was stopped for no gain.

Army seized the opportunity, scoring five plays later on a 1-yard TD run by Daily to take a 22-17 lead, swinging all the momentum their way. The Roadrunners were put on their heels and never managed to recover.

What It Means

UTSA finished the regular season 6-6, with all six wins coming at home and all six losses on the road. Despite missing key offensive players like RB Robert Henry and WR Chris Carpenter, UTSA showed resilience on offense and delivered a strong defensive performance, holding Army’s formidable rushing attack to 217 yards at just 3.6 yards per carry. Impressively, the Roadrunners were disciplined, committing only three penalties for 22 yards compared to Army’s 34. However, UTSA lost the turnover battle 3-1 and that ended up being too much to overcome. Now, UTSA faces a nervous wait to see if they will receive a bowl invitation.

With Army's 29-24 victory over UTSA and Tulane's (9-3, 7-1) 34-24 loss to Memphis (10-2, 6-2) on Nov. 28, the Black Knights have secured home-field advantage for the AAC Championship Game on Dec. 6, where they will host Tulane at Michie Stadium. Although No. 5 Notre Dame (10-1, Independent) dashed Army's College Football Playoff aspirations last week, the Black Knights aim to conclude the season at 12-1 with upcoming games against Navy (8-3, 6-2) and Tulane.