UTSA Roadrunners preview

       After their exciting home- coming victory, the Panthers will look ahead to their next road game against the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners. The Roadrunners lost to the Panthers' homecoming opponent, South Alabama, two weeks ago in a competitive overtime game 30 – 27.

      Larry Coker, who won the 2001 national championship with the 2001 Miami Hurricanes, coach- es the Roadrunners. Although they improved their record to 2–5 on the season with a win over South Alabama, UTSA will not be a cake walk for Georgia State.

      The Roadrunners are playing as a FCS independent this season before they jump to the Football

Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, when it moves into the Western Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners will be looking to get back on track after losing to the UC Davis Aggies 38 – 17 on Oct. 15 in Davis, California.

      Eric Soza, quarterback for the Roadrunners, had 257 yards passing as well as throwing for two touchdowns in UTSA's game against the Aggies. Soza completed 22 of his 31 attempted passes in a losing effort. Although the Road- runners are in the midst of a three game losing streak, Soza has been stellar in the past two games. Soza has not thrown an interception in the last two games, after throwing three against Sam Houston State.

       Soza has passed for 1,527 yards, 10 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and is completing just 56.2

percent of his attempts. Soza is also a dual threat with his legs and has run for 348 yards this season.

Soza is an exceptional quarterback, but he cannot win games on his own. The Roadrunner running game has no star running back. Four different running backs share carries, and Soza leads the team in rushing yardage. Five different players rushed for only 79 yards against the Aggies defense.

      The Roadrunners have a 35 percent 3rd down conversion rate, so if the Panthers defense can stop UTSA on 3rd down, the Panthers will have success. The Roadrunners are coming off of a bye week and should be well rested for a competitive game.

    This game will be played on Oct. 29, 2011 at 12:30 pm at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.