UTSA Rolls Past FIU, Captures SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

By Art Garcia

DALLAS – The UTSA Roadrunners have made going to bowl games a tradition in recent years. Winning them is also becoming a welcome trend.

UTSA won its third consecutive postseason game, racing back to overpower the FIU Panthers 57-20 in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Friday night at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

The Roadrunners (7-6) have established themselves as one of the premier programs in the American Conference with six straight bowl appearances, all under current coach Jeff Traylor.

UTSA junior quarterback and game MVP Owen McCown authored a masterful performance, completing 18 of 28 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Will Henderson III ran for 59 yards and scored three times, including a 40-yard TD. Devin McCuin had six receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.

UTSA stormed back from a quick 14-0 deficit to lead 31-14 going into halftime. The onslaught didn’t end there, as the Roadrunners continued to dominate in the second half to even their First Responder Bowl record at 1-1. (Louisiana beat UTSA in the 2020 edition.)

The contest began with plenty of fireworks and big plays as a combined 28 points – two touchdowns from each side – were scored before 11 minutes were played.

Included in the outburst was a new NCAA bowl record for the longest punt return touchdown, as FIU’s Maguire Anderson maneuvered 97 yards to break the previous mark of 92 yards held by three players. The First Responder Bowl record had been 64 yards by Josh Steward of Oklahoma State vs. Purdue in 2013.

FIU (7-6) saw its four-game winning streak – all coming in Conference USA action – snapped in its First Responder Bowl debut. The Panthers managed only 255 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Joe Pesansky threw for 102 yards, with two touchdown and an interception.