Honestly, if you just glance at the UTSA football record 2024, you might think the Roadrunners finally hit a wall. A 7-6 finish isn't exactly the double-digit win seasons fans got used to during the peak Frank Harris era. But looking at the raw numbers—7 wins and 6 losses—is kinda like reading the back of a cereal box and thinking you know how it tastes. It’s a shallow way to view a season that was actually a massive masterclass in "reloading" rather than rebuilding.
The narrative all summer was about who wasn't there. No Frank Harris. No Joshua Cephus. No Rashad Wisdom. These weren't just players; they were the pillars of the program’s identity for half a decade. People expected a collapse. Instead, Jeff Traylor’s squad went 6-0 at the Alamodome and snatched a bowl trophy on the way out.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
Let's break down the 7-6 reality. The Roadrunners finished 4-4 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which feels mediocre until you look at the schedule. They had to travel to Austin to face a #2 ranked Texas team and went to San Marcos for a high-stakes rivalry game against Texas State.
| Game Type | Record |
|---|---|
| Home Games | 6-0 |
| Away Games | 1-6 |
| Conference | 4-4 |
| Postseason | 1-0 |
Basically, they were a Jekyll and Hyde team. At home? Untouchable. On the road? Well, that's where things got messy. They lost heartbreakers, like that 46-45 shootout in Tulsa where they blew a massive lead, and a 29-27 nail-biter against Rice. If two or three plays go differently in October, we’re talking about a 9-win or 10-win team. That’s the razor-thin margin of G5 football.
Owen McCown and the "New Era" Identity
Kinda surprising to some, but Owen McCown didn't just fill Frank Harris's shoes; he started making his own. He threw for 3,424 yards and 25 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. For a redshirt sophomore taking over a legendary spot, those are video game numbers.
He didn't have it easy. The run game was a bit of a revolving door early on, though Robert Henry eventually found his rhythm, finishing with 706 yards and 7 scores. The offensive line had to gel on the fly. You've got to appreciate the grit it takes to throw for 443 yards in a loss (Tulsa) and then bounce back to beat a ranked Memphis team 44-36 just a week later. That Memphis win was arguably the peak of the regular season—it proved that the "Triangle of Toughness" wasn't just a marketing slogan.
The Defensive Rollercoaster
If you want to know why the UTSA football record 2024 didn't have more wins, look at the points allowed. They gave up 30.1 points per game. That ranked 102nd in the country.
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They were aggressive, sure. They could sack the quarterback and create highlights, but they were prone to giving up the "big play." Against Texas State, they surrendered 49 points. Against Texas, 56. Even in conference play, the secondary struggled to keep the lid on explosive offenses.
However, they showed up when it mattered most. In the Myrtle Beach Bowl, the defense held Coastal Carolina to just 15 points. It was a dominant 44-15 blowout. Finishing the season on that high note changed the entire vibe of the winter. It turned a "down year" into a "momentum year."
Why 7-6 is a Secret Success
Most programs crater when a generational quarterback leaves. Look at what happened to other schools in similar spots; they often slide into 3-9 or 4-8 territory. Jeff Traylor keeping this ship above .500 while playing a schedule that included two Top-25 teams and a bowl win is impressive.
Honestly, the home-field advantage at the Alamodome is becoming one of the best-kept secrets in college football. Going 6-0 at home is no fluke. It’s a testament to the culture. The fans show up, the players feed off it, and they simply don't lose in San Antonio.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Cycle
If you're following the Roadrunners into next season, keep these takeaways in mind:
- McCown is the real deal: Expect him to be a preseason All-AAC selection. His growth from the Texas State game to the bowl game was astronomical.
- The "Road Woes" must be fixed: A 1-6 road record is the primary obstacle between UTSA and a conference championship.
- Recruiting the Portal: Traylor has been vocal about needing more NIL investment to compete with the "big boys" in the AAC like Memphis and Tulane.
- Defensive Consistency: Look for staff changes or a heavy emphasis on secondary transfers to fix the explosive play problem.
The 2024 season was a bridge. It bridged the gap between the program's founding legends and the next generation of stars. 7-6 might not look like a championship on a trophy case, but for those who watched every snap, it was a season of survival and evolution.
Next Steps for Fans:
Keep a close eye on the spring transfer portal window. UTSA needs to bolster the defensive backfield and find a consistent deep-threat wide receiver to replace the production lost in the transition. If they can shore up the defense to even a "middle-of-the-pack" FBS level, the 2025 record will likely see a 2-3 game improvement over this year's mark.