SAN ANTONIO — A struggling, injury-riddled offense was too much for Marshall to overcome when UTSA’s last-second field goal gave the Roadrunners a 9-7 win. A recap of the scoring:
First Quarter
UTSA: 24-yard field goal by Jared Sackett (3:00)
UTSA came out with a balanced attack from their own 20-yard line. Two third-down conversions kept the drive alive thanks to reads from UTSA quarterback Dalton Sturm, who threw for 65 of the 75 yards on the series. A sack by Marshall’s Devon Durant seemingly ended the drive, forcing UTSA into a third-and-13, but a 17-yard catch by Kerry Thomas Jr. moved the chains. After stalling in the red zone UTSA took the first lead of the game thanks to Sackett.
UTSA leads 3-0
Second Quarter
UTSA: 24-yard field goal by Jared Sackett (:07)
After Marshall’s drive into scoring range ended with quarterback Chase Litton bobbling a snap and UTSA’s Jim Philistin recovering, the Roadrunners offense went on a 12-play drive. A 17-yard catch by Marquez McNair put the ball at midfield, where Marshall’s defense forced a fourth-and -short, but McNair once again came through with a 5-yard catch. A pass interference on Marshall’s Rodney Allen moved the ball inside the red zone. After failing to convert on third-down with a quarterback sneak by Sturm, UTSA took three more points as the half expired. Marshall’s Ryan Bee was ejected on the kick for a low blow on a UTSA lineman.
UTSA leads 6-0
Fourth Quarter
Marshall: Chase Litton 20-yard touchdown pass to Hyleck Foster (1:31)
After three quarters of struggles, Marshall rallied to put up points. On a third-and-9 situation, Litton found Obi Obialo for 10-yards. From midfield, Litton found running back Keion Davis coming off a block and Davis turned a short pass into 30 yards. The next play receiver Hyleck Foster beat man coverage on a post-route and got both feet down inches away from the sideline in the endzone, giving the Herd their only lead of the night.
Marshall leads 7-6
UTSA: 40-yard field goal by Jared Sackett (:02)
In hurry-up mode, UTSA was called for a false start on the first play of the drive but Sturm found receiver Thomas Jr. on plays for 14 and 13 yards. On third-and-10, Sturm found receiver Josh Stewart on a slant for 11 yards, moving UTSA into field-goal range. With just 6 seconds left the Roadrunners once again brought out kicker Jared Sackett, who had missed a field goal earlier in the fourth quarter on a bobbled snap. Despite an attempt to ice the freshman walk-on by Marshall head coach Doc Holliday, Sackett put the ball down the middle of the uprights two times and UTSA walked away bowl-eligible.
UTSA leads 9-7
— By Troy Alexander