College Sports

No. 24 UTSA beat Louisiana Tech 45-16 for 8th straight win

Posted October 23, 2021 7:00 am

By ROY LANG III

UTSA wide receiver Tykee Ogle-Kellogg (11) tries to grab a catch that was almost intercepted by Louisiana Tech defensive back Baylen Buchanan (0) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

RUSTON, La. (AP) - Frank Harris threw two touchdown passes to Zakhari Franklin and No. 24 UTSA celebrated its first national ranking with a 45-16 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night.

Harris was 12 of 20 for 193 yards, with scoring passes of 75 and 10 yards to Franklin, to help the Roadrunners (8-0, 4-0 Conference USA) extend their school-record winning streak to eight games.

Franklin had five catches for 118 yards, and Sincere McCormick ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Dadrian Taylor returned an interception 51 yards for a score.

UTSA, one of nine remaining undefeated FBS teams, won for the first time in Ruston in six attempts dating to 2012.

'œThis is a big one,'ť Roadrunners coach Jeff Traylor said. 'œWe came here last night and all the kids were talking on the field about how negative things have been here -- how they got their tails kicked. It painted a picture to me of how many negative things were in their heads. I don't know if I've done anything any good (at UTSA), but I know one thing '“ my kids don't play scared. We put out those bad memories and we don't play with fear.'ť

Louisiana Tech (2-5, 1-2) hosted a Top 25 opponent for the first time since 2010 when the Bulldogs lost to then-No. 14 Nevada and Colin Kaepernick.

Thing started well for the Bulldogs, with Smoke Harris hauling in a short crossing pattern and pulling away for a 47-yard touchdown play on the opening possession of the game.

UTSA needed just two plays and 36 seconds to respond, with Frank Harris hitting a wide-open Franklin for the 75-yard score. The Roadrunners took a 14-10 lead on McCormick's 2-yard run in the second quarter.

Harris and Franklin connected for another touchdown to help UTSA take a 21-10 halftime lead.

Bulldogs quarterback Austin Kendall entered the game with double-digit touchdown passes, but has been plagued by a bevy of interceptions. After his defense forced a three-and-out from UTSA to begin the second half, another errant throw crippled Louisiana Tech's hopes.

Taylor's 51-yard pick-6 quickly erased momentum the Bulldogs acquired and gave the Roadrunners an 18-point lead 2:16 into the second half.

'œIn the NFL, college or high school - not many teams are going to win a football game being minus-3 in the turnover battle,'ť Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz, whose team coughed up the ball three times and didn't record a forced turnover, said. 'œUTSA is a good football team, but I think we found a way to lose this game as much as they won it.'ť

McCormick ripped through the middle of Louisiana Tech's defense for a 47-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach with 13:46 remaining.

Louisiana Tech fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the rout continued with another score from McCormick.

UP NEXT

UTSA: At UTEP on Nov. 6.

Louisiana Tech: At Old Dominion on Saturday.

UTSA quarterback Frank Harris, front right, runs for a first down against Louisiana Tech defensive back Baylen Buchanan, left, in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

UTSA running back Sincere McCormick (3) runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech linebacker Maki Carabin (44) in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) scores a touchdown against Louisiana Tech in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) scores a touchdown against UTSA linebacker Denzel Feaster (20) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana Tech quarterback Austin Kendall (10) is sacked on third down by UTSA linebacker Clarence Hicks (9) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Louisiana Tech wide receiver Smoke Harris (6) scores a touchdown against UTSA in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

UTSA wide receiver Zakhari Franklin (4) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Joshua Cephus (2) in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

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