2014 UTSA Offense Review

Points per Game: 17.1

Yards per Play: 4.5

Leading Passer: Tucker Carter - 1083 yards, 4 TDs

Leading Rusher: David Glasco - 570 yards, 5 TDs

Leading Receiver: Marcellus Mack - 279 yards, 1 TD

Any way you cut it, this season was a disaster for the UTSA offense. Despite being lead by a large group of four-year starters, the offense was unable to overcome injuries at the quarterback position and finished in the cellar of almost all offensive statistics. Senior Tucker Carter was the unfortunate recipient of the majority of the injuries at the position as Tucker sustained two shoulder injuries and a concussion later in the season.

True freshman and anticipated 2015 starter Blake Bogenschutz stepped in for Carter after his first shoulder injury. Bogenschutz played relatively well in his limited time but suffered a broken wrist in the first quarter of his first start.

Third-string quarterback Austin Robinson would start four games as a result of the string of injuries but even he would face injury problems after sustaining a concussion against Western Kentucky. UTSA ended up playing every quarterback on the roster as true freshman walk-on Dalton Sturm would step in for Robinson to finish the WKU game.

Quarterback struggles aside, this offense really failed to get anything going at any position.

The offensive line allowed 29 sacks this season while mostly failing to generate ample running room for the running backs. Center Nate Leonard struggled with his snaps throughout most of the season. Snaps were often launched near the ankles of the quarterback which proved to be a serious detriment to an offense that is designed to hit on passes quickly. It is strange that this unit struggled so mightily as they were one of the most experienced offensive lines to ever play college football.

Given the rotating door at quarterback, it's hard to really judge the wide receivers accurately. Anecdotally, blocking on the outside wasn't as good as last season and very few receivers made athletic moves after the catch. UTSA's jet sweep game was extremely successful in 2013 but average this season. Dropped passes were an issue and several tipped passes lead to interceptions.

UTSA's senior receivers were mostly ~ 5'9" athletes without game-breaking speed. I figured bigger and faster athletes like Aron Taylor and Kerry Thomas would start to earn playing time from the seniors that were recruited to play at an FCS level. Those two would mostly ride the bench this season but Kerry Thomas made the most athletic play of the year with a 47 yard touchdown catch in which he broke several tackles.

Marcellus Mack was the brightest spot for the Roadrunners passing game this season. Mack showed more improvement over last season than nearly every other player on the roster as the tough receiver developed into a do-it-all weapon.

Tight ends David Morgan and Cole Hubble both performed quite well this season. Morgan was the team's leading receiver until he missed a few weeks with an injury. Hubble was always good for one or two third down conversions per game. Both provided solid blocking on the edge.

When the holes were there, UTSA's running backs did a good job of hitting them. Senior David Glasco will be sorely missed, as his tough, down-hill style helped the offense move the sticks in short down situations. Sophomore Jarveon Williams and senior Brandon Armstrong both showed explosion and play-making abilities out of the backfield and senior Nate Shaw did the dirty work blocking from the fullback position.

Overall offensive grade: D-

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Kerry Thomas

Offensive Most Improved: Marcellus Mack

Offensive MVP: David Glasco

2015 Returning Starters: Blake Bogenschutz, William Cavanaugh, Jordan Gray, Aaron Grubb, David Morgan, Austin Robinson