The University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners (7-6) took on the Florida International University Panthers (7-6) on Friday night in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The Panthers scored 14 points in the first quarter, but UTSA came back to score 31 unanswered points to take a 31-14 lead at halftime. The Roadrunners scored 26 more points and dominated the Panthers by the final score of 57-20 to win their third straight bowl game.
UTSA’s offense had 481 yards (295 yards passing, 186 yards rushing), 25 first downs, and the team was penalized 11 times for 133 yards. Quarterback Owen McCown completed 18 of 28 passes (64.3%) for 295 yards, three touchdowns, and seven carries for 22 yards.
Running back Will Henderson III had 14 carries for 59 yards, two rushing touchdowns, one catch for 40 yards, and one touchdown, while Bryson Donnell had seven carries for 51 yards, and one rushing touchdown, and A’Marion Peterson had eight carries for 38 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Wide receiver Devin McCuin made six catches for 73 yards and one touchdown, while Patrick Overmyer made two catches for 50 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Michael Petro made 2 of 2 field goals (100%) with a long of 37 yards, and made six extra points, while Jaffer Murphy made one extra point. The defense made 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups.
FIU’s offense had 255 yards (176 yards passing, 79 yards rushing), 22 first downs, and the team was penalized four times for 31 yards. Quarterback Joe Pesansky completed 11 of 31 passes (35.5%) for 102 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and seven carries for 14 yards.
Running back Kejon Owens had eight carries for 36 yards. Wide receiver JoJo Stone made four catches for 28 yards, while Dallas Payne made two catches for 27 yards and one touchdown, and Kyle McNeal made two catches for 24 yards and one touchdown. Maguire Anderson made three catches for 25 yards, three punt returns for 104 yards, and one touchdown.
Kicker Noah Grant made two extra points. The defense made 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception.
