No. 22 UTSA kept its undefeated season alive on Saturday as quarterback Frank Harris completed an unbelievable tipped pass to tight end Oscar Cardenas. The incredible play clinched a 34-31 victory over UAB and kept the Roadrunners’ undefeated season alive.
UTSA turned the ball over on downs with fewer than 2 minutes remaining and trailing 31-27 at home. Despite the lofty record, a loss would have likely clinched a Conference USA West Division title for UAB, which came into Saturday with a 5-1 record in conference play.
However, UTSA still had two timeouts remaining and managed to get the ball back with just over a minute remaining in the game. Quarterback Frank Harris completed passes to Cardenas and De’Corian Clark for a combined 67 yards to give the Roadrunners a third-and-goal at the 1-yard line.
Harris fumbled with the snap, but picked it up and tossed it at the end zone with 7 seconds remaining. A UAB defender got his hand on the ball, but Cardenas kept his concentration and caught it in the back of the end zone with 3 seconds remaining to clinch the game.
The drive capped off Harris’ best game of the year, if not his career. The senior completed 25 of 36 passes for 323 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner. Running back Sincere McCormick had 65 yards rushing, 29 yards receiving and a touchdown in the come-from-behind victory.
UAB quarterback Dylan Hopkins threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the win, but Blazers coach Bill Clark ran the ball three times on UAB’s final drive before punting it away after facing fourth-and-1.
The win launched UTSA to 11-0 and clinched a spot in the Conference USA Championship Game — and likely hosting privileges — with a game remaining against North Texas. The Roadrunners are expected to have a rematch with 7-4 Western Kentucky, which they beat 52-46 on the road to open conference play.
UTSA, which started its football program in 2011, has never won a conference championship.
