UTSA shocks Southern Mississippi 55-32

UTSA destroyed Southern Mississippi from the first snap today and ran up the score the rest of the way.

UTSA came out hard and fast as Dalton Sturm connected with Kerry Thomas for 70 yards on the third play from scrimmage to put UTSA up 7-0.

Following a three and out on USM's first possession, Sturm connected with Thomas’ brother, Josh Stewart for a 77 yard gain to set up a Jarveon Williams three yard touchdown that gave the Roadrunners a 14-0 lead in the first three minutes.

UTSA's defense held the Golden Eagles to back-to-back three and outs to start the game as UTSA scored their third consecutive touchdown on a Jarveon Williams-fueled drive to take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

USM answered on their third drive with some help from several UTSA false start penalties. The Golden Eagles scored on a 17 yard pass from Nick Mullens to Jay’Shawn Washington. UTSA safety Jordan Moore was caught sleeping on the play as he was no where near Washington for the walk-in score.

UTSA wasn't done scoring in the first quarter, as Southern Miss committed a few petty penalties to help the Roadrunners send Jarveon Williams up the middle for another seven yard touchdown to put UTSA up 28-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Southern Miss converted on a fourth and five to set up an Ito Smith one yard touchdown to shorten the first quarter deficit to 28-14.

Following a couple of punts, Jalen Rhodes found a hole big enough to drive a pick up truck through and took the ball 80 yards to the house to force the lead to 35-14.

Southern Miss answered on the ensuing drive with a 35 yard touchdown pass from Mullens to D.J. Thompson.

The Roadrunners answered before halftime with a 45 yard field goal from Victor Falcon to give UTSA a 38-21 lead at the half.

The Golden Eagles opened the second half with a solid drive downfield but the Roadrunners got a crucial redzone stop to hold USM to a field goal, bringing the score to 38-24 with 9:10 remaining in the third.

UTSA head coach Frank Wilson responded with a beautiful call at USM's 20 yard line, lining up in a Power I before handing a jet sweep to redshirt freshman Matt Guidry for his first touchdown of his career. UTSA took a 45-24 lead against the best defense in the conference with 6:23 remaining in the third following the touchdown run.

UTSA then stopped Southern Miss on two consecutive fourth downs in scoring territory to force key turnovers on downs.

After a three and out, D’Nerius Antoine muffed the punt and UTSA's Andrew Martel recovered the fumble to give UTSA possession in the redzone. Falcon hit a 26 yard field goal to make it a four-possession game.

Nick Mullens completed a pass to Chase Whitehead on the ensuing drive to shave UTSA's lead to 48-32. The Golden Eagles took too much time off the clock on the drive, converting the two point attempt with just 6:47 left to play.

After a UTSA three and out, Southern Miss started with prime redzone position but Josiah Tauaefa picked off Nick Mullens in the endzone to give the Roadrunners the ball with 3:09 left to play.

UTSA wasn't done scoring just yet. Jarveon Williams opened up on 3rd and 8 from UTSA's own two yard line and took the ball 96 yards upfield to setup a Jalen Rhodes three yard touchdown. The run put the final score at 55-32, as UTSA's defense shutdown the most high-powered offense in the conference.

A 17 point underdog, UTSA dominated the Golden Eagles en route to their most significant win in program history. The Roadrunners forced three turnovers without committing any of their own.

The Roadrunners will travel to Rice next week while Southern Miss will travel to face a well-rested LSU squad in Baton Rogue.