SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hunter Duplessis kicked a 29-yard field goal in the second overtime, Frank Harris accounted for four touchdowns, and UTSA won its season opener, beating Texas State 51-48 in a wild finish on Saturday.
Texas State's Alan Orona missed a 20-yard field goal attempt in the second overtime and a potential game-winning extra point with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter.
Sincere McCormick ran for a program-record 197 yards on 29 carries and had a 5-yard touchdown run for UTSA. Harris was 23-of-31 passing for 169 yards and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Cephus, who made a spectacular one-handed catch in the first overtime. Harris had scoring runs from 17, 19 and 13 yards and finished with 52 yards rushing.
Texas State (1-1), which scratched starting quarterback Brady McBride earlier in the day due to covid-19 protocol, was down 41-28 with 3:24 remaining after UTSA's Rashad Wisdom scored on an 81-yard interception return. The Roadrunners wore sticker helmets in honor of Wisdom's brother Bryce, who died at age 17 in July from kidney cancer.
Tyler Vitt, who missed last week’s game due to COVID-19 protocol, rebounded from his pick-6 to Wisdom with a 20-yard TD pass to Marcell Barbee six plays later.
On the next series, Texas State forced a three-and-out and Jeremiah Haydel scored on a 91-yard punt return, but Orona hooked the extra point attempt that eventually forced overtime tied at 41.
Vitt was 26-of-39 passing for 346 yards and threw four touchdown passes and two interceptions.
UTSA coach Jeff Traylor, a former Arkansas assistant coach, won in his debut with the Roadrunners, who have won all four meetings against the Bobcats since the I-35 rivalry was renewed in 2017.
Former Arkansas quarterback Barry Lunney Jr. also made his debut as the Roadrunners' offensive coordinator. Lunney and Traylor coached the Razorbacks last season, with Lunney serving the final two games as Arkansas' interim head coach.
Seating was limited to 7,500 at 30,000-seat Bobcat Stadium. Masks were mandated upon entry and encouraged while seated but not required. There was no general-admission seating.