UTSA Win Program's First Bowl Game Without Star Seniors

In a chippy game filled with adversity for both teams, it was the UTSA Roadrunners who picked up the victory in the 2023 Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl. 

The Roadrunners beat the Marshall Thundering Herd in Tuesday night's game 35-17. UTSA now have their first bowl win in the program's 12-season history.

It was a roller coaster performance for the Roadrunners that came without several veteran pieces. These were the main talking points from a chilly evening in Texas.

No Frank Harris

It came as a bit of a surprise for fans just hours before kickoff to learn that seventh-year quarterback Frank Harris would not play in Tuesday night's game. Harris has dealt with a substantial amount of injuries over his college career. This time, it was a fracture in Harris' throwing shoulder that kept him from participating. 

Safety Rashad Wisdom also left with an injury after the first half.

With that, it meant a duel between backup QBs with intriguing pedigrees. UTSA turned to Owen McCown, son of longtime NFL QB Josh McCown, in place of Harris. Meanwhile, Marshall were led by Cole Pennington, son of former NFL and Marshall QB Chad Pennington. 

McCown, a freshman, had a tough start in the first quarter, throwing two interceptions. However, he bounced back to finish with 23 completions for 251 yards with two touchdowns through the air. McCown also rushed for 38 yards. 

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Rasheen Ali's "Pitch Count"

In the first half, Marshall's star running back Rasheen Ali carried nine times for 92 yards with 64-yard touchdown run. 

In the second half, Ali didn't play at all. Ali's snaps for the day were apparently limited by the coaching staff as he prepares for the NFL Draft. It's an interesting decision, regardless of who made it, especially in a game that determines whether or not Marshall finish the season with a winning record. With an inexperienced quarterback under center, the additional production from Ali would have helped the Herd's efforts.

UTSA Supporting Players Step Up

On a night where Jeff Traylor needed a complete performance from his squad, he got exactly that. Receiver Joshua Cephus was named the player of the game, making seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. Running backs Rocko Griffin, Robert Henry, and Kevorian Barnes combined for three rushing touchdowns and 97 yards on the ground. 

Defensively, Kam Alexander's 57-yard interception return highlighted a performance that included stopping Marshall on two critical fourth down attempts and allowing the Herd to convert just five of 18 third-down conversion attempts all night.

The Roadrunners end the season with a 9-4 overall record and the one achievement left for the program's historic senior class.