PACK THE DOME: Traylor, UTSA want record-setting crowd for Conference USA Championship Game

Coach Andy Mac · November 29, 2022

SAN ANTONIO – Jeff Traylor did not mince words at his postgame press conference Saturday evening.

“We need the city to show up.”

UTSA’s third-year head coach had just seen his resilient squad complete a thrilling and historic comeback to defeat UTEP 34-31. The Roadrunners finished the regular season with a 10-2 overall record including a perfect 8-0 mark against Conference USA opponents, a first in program history. Over the past two seasons, only four college football programs have a better overall record than UTSA’s 22-4 mark: Georgia (26-1), Michigan (24-2), Ohio State (22-3) and Alabama (23-4). Additionally, the team finally broke back into the AP Top 25 over the weekend at No. 23 overall and moved up a spot in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll to No. 24.

Even with all of that success, Traylor was laser-focused on the challenge ahead: hosting North Texas in their second straight Conference USA Championship Game at the Alamodome. Saturday’s victory happened in front of 26,061 fans, the fourth-largest crowd this season, and the fans made their presence felt multiple times during UTSA’s remarkable comeback.

Traylor wants an even larger crowd on Friday night.

“It’s got to be like tonight times two for us to have a competitive chance,” Traylor said. “We worked hard to get that home-field [advantage]. We can’t waste it, man. We cannot waste it. We need to get this place packed.”

The Roadrunners will have to battle the Mean Green without several key contributors. Wide receiver De’Corian “JT” Clark, who caught the game-winning touchdown against UNT, is already out for the season after suffering a leg injury in UTSA’s 44-38 overtime victory over UAB. Running back Brenden Brady, who carried the ball 19 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns against UNT, suffered an arm injury during UTSA’s win over UTEP and will miss the title game. Tight end Gavin Sharp suffered an ugly leg injury in the UTEP game as well, adding to a list of eight one-time starters who will not suit up on Friday.

read more: https://www.ksat.com/sports/local/2022/11/29/pack-the-dome-traylor-utsa-want-record-setting-crowd-for-conference-usa-championship-game/

NT80 · November 29, 2022

That coach is a bubba, but at least he has some emotion. He is speaking to the fans. I can't recall Seth asking fans to do anything, or even acknowledge the school has fans. Grant recognizes fans and student groups help his team.