HOUSTON – Preparing to tangle with Rice’s triple-option offense, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor wasn’t too worried about stats and analytics.
On paper, the matchup was poised to be a challenge. The Owls entered the week ranked in the top 10 in the FBS in rushing offense, while the Roadrunners sat in in the bottom 10 for run defense.
But as UTSA aimed to continue the program’s best start since 2021, Traylor was aiming to scratch and claw to 30 points by any means necessary, knowing the Roadrunners’ defense could make that lead stand up. He was worried about a Rice team that would be motivated after losing to UTSA in a rout last year, and he knew he had to fight against the instinct to look ahead to Thursday’s ESPN matchup against South Florida…