UTSA continues to grow with gritty win over Tulane

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SAN ANTONIO — All alone and roaming free in the Tulane secondary, Seth Grubb waited for Eric Soza to throw.

After Soza escaped the rush and freelanced outside the pocket, the UTSA quarterback uncorked a ball that seemed to hang up in the air for about, well, for quite a long time.

“Had to be a day and a half,” the wide receiver Grubb said Saturday afternoon. “I'm just glad it finally got there.”

The 62-yard completion set up a game-winning field goal by Sean Ianno, sealing a 10-7 victory for the Roadrunners over the Green Wave at the Alamodome.

Ianno's kick from 34 yards out, splitting the uprights with 14 seconds remaining, lifted UTSA to its third straight win and kept alive hopes for a Conference USA title.

“Just very proud of our team,” UTSA coach Larry Coker said. “I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a team than this group. They fought hard.

Brandon Armstrong (right) breaks loose for the Roadrunners' only touchdown Saturday against Tulane. With UTSA's top two backs out with injuries, Armstrong stepped up with 77 yards on eight carries. Brandon Armstrong (right) breaks loose for the Roadrunners' only touchdown Saturday against Tulane. With UTSA's top two backs out with injuries, Armstrong stepped up with 77 yards on eight carries. Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close UTSA continues to grow with gritty win over Tulane 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

“Several times they could have folded, and they never did.”

UTSA's victory was special to the 65-year-old veteran coach on a number of levels.

First, the Roadrunners played a team tied for first in the C-USA West Division and won without injured running backs David Glasco II and Evans Okotcha.

They also did it primarily with a defensive effort that held Tulane to its season-low in points, the fewest ever yielded by UTSA against an FBS opponent.

It wasn't pretty, but the satisfaction gleaned from beating a bowl-eligible opponent was sweet in the end.

“That was an excited locker room,” Coker said. “Unbelievable.”

With the team's top two running backs out, UTSA marched the length of the field on its first possession and turned it over on a fumble by freshman Jarveon Williams at the Tulane 1.

It was a mistake that would haunt UTSA for the rest of the half, as Tulane took a 7-0 lead.

Fortunately for Coker, the Roadrunners (5-5, 4-2 C-USA) kept their composure and made enough plays down the stretch.

UTSA stunned Tulane (6-4, 4-2) midway through the third quarter when 155-pound junior Brandon Armstrong tied the game, the Roadrunners' No. 3 back, squirted through a hole and raced 68 yards for a touchdown.

Another big play came early in the fourth period when UTSA freshman Michael Egwuagu intercepted Tulane quarterback Nick Montana.

The diving pick off a deflection turned back the Green Wave just as they seemed to be gaining a rhythm and moving toward a go-ahead score.

But the play of the day, no doubt, came with 1:15 remaining with the UTSA offense facing third-and-16 at its own 25.

Soza escaped pressure and launched a throw down the right sideline for Grubb, who snared it and rambled to the Tulane 13.

Two plays later, the Roadrunners turned it over to Ianno, who booted the third game-winner of his career.

The Soza-to-Grubb special came as a result of a Tulane coverage bust.

“They ran Cover 2 and we ran four verticals,” Grubb said.

“The corner just sat down in the flats. Once I got around him ... I was wide open. I looked at Eric, like, 'Give it to me.' It was amazing.”

jbriggs@express-news.net