Navy takes rushing strength and turnover concerns to UTSA
Navy’s first meeting with UTSA will test whether its rushing production can travel with better ball security. The Midshipmen visit the Alamodome at 8 p.m. Eastern Saturday, Oct. 17, on ESPNU, after rallying past Tulsa 34–26 to end a three-game losing streak.
Navy’s first meeting with UTSA will test whether its rushing production can travel with better ball security. The Midshipmen visit the Alamodome at 8 p.m. Eastern Saturday, Oct. 17, on ESPNU, after rallying past Tulsa 34–26 to end a three-game losing streak.
Navy is 2–3 overall and 1–2 in the American. UTSA is 5–1 and 2–0 after a 31–24 win over South Florida. The Roadrunners have averaged 48.3 points in their home games, according to Navy’s Monday scouting report, making clean possessions a concrete concern for the visitors.
The Mids rank third nationally in rushing at 299.4 yards per game. Quarterback Jackson Gutierrez supplied a career-high 232 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 41 carries against Tulsa, and Michael Barrow added 107 yards. Navy finished with 386 rushing yards and never punted, yet still had to recover from a 26–14 third-quarter deficit.
Four turnovers — three lost fumbles and an interception — interrupted that production. The final response came through two drives ending in the fourth quarter: 14 plays over 6:43 for Gutierrez’s go-ahead touchdown, then 13 plays over 6:16 for his closing score with 1:10 remaining. Moving the ball and finishing without a giveaway were both necessary to turn the comeback into a win.
The season comparison is clear. Navy has lost nine turnovers; UTSA has lost three. UTSA quarterback Owen McCown has thrown seven touchdown passes and two interceptions, while the Roadrunners allow one sack per game. Navy’s front will face an offense that has generally protected both the quarterback and the ball.
UTSA also has a productive running pair. Will Henderson III has 484 rushing yards, and A’Marion Peterson has scored seven rushing touchdowns. For Navy, limiting that ground game while avoiding short-field opportunities created by its own giveaways supplies two specific watchpoints.
Gutierrez received another Monday distinction when he was selected to the Davey O’Brien Great 8. That selection puts him on the award’s midseason watch list; the National Quarterback of the Week was still due to be announced Tuesday at noon Eastern. It is recognition for the quarterback’s work, not a verified win of the weekly national award.
The trip is Navy’s fourth road game in five, following visits to Florida Atlantic, UAB and Air Force.