UAB continues to streak, rips UTSA 52-3

The Blazers’ onslaught of Conference USA continues. Even with starting quarterback A.J. Erdely sidelined for the game, UAB handily slaughtered an already limping Roadrunner team in Birmingham behind freshman backup Tyler Johnston III.

Johnston and the offense marched downfield to score touchdowns on the Blazers’ first five possessions. The quarterback was highly impressive in his first start against a Roadrunner defense that is known to cause problems. Only tasked with 17 pass attempts, Johnston connected for 10 completions and three touchdowns while also earning 62 yards and a touchdown with his feet.

As a redshirt freshman Johnston managed to play fairly mistake-free football - aside from one interception late in the first half - and threw a pretty pass. His first score was a 50 yard bomb to Kailon Carter on his first pass from scrimmage.

Granted, Johnston’s tasks were coupled with Spencer Brown and James Noble III toting the ball for a combined 239 yards rushing. Brown had two touchdowns of his own as he led the duo with 147 yards.

UAB finished with 419 yards on the ground and 668 in total offense, both records for the most UTSA has ever allowed in a game.

UTSA, coming out of the bye week, was a complete dud. Again with a sub-200 yard offensive performance, the Roadrunners were unable to muster up any success. This time around, however, it applied to the defense as well. The ferocious Roadrunner front didn’t manage a single sack and had a season-low two tackles for loss.

At this point it’s difficult to imagine UTSA coach Frank Wilson still has any authority left in the locker room. The Roadrunners appeared emotionally checked out early in the game. Though points-wise it was the second worst loss in program history, this was by far the most dismal performance UTSA has put up. Even against three Power 5 teams earlier this season the team wasn’t this inept.

With only one of UTSA’s games totaling 300 yards of output on offense this season, it’s clear why the unit ranks dead last nationally in total offense.

Albeit, the Roadrunners played 17 freshmen against an active roster full of seniority. UTSA started freshman quarterback Jordan Weeks for the second straight week, but Wilson continued to use his multi-quarterback system through the game. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

In what was a perfect representation of polar programs and their trending directions, UAB tossed UTSA around like a rag doll. The Blazers, a team with an identity and leadership, stood heads and shoulders above the Roadrunners, a directionless team that continues to wander in circles.

UAB (6-0, 8-1) will host Southern Miss next week in their last regular season home game. UTSA (2-3, 3-6) returns to the Alamodome to take on a stout FIU team, currently in second place in C-USA East.