SAN ANTONIO – Backup Josh Adkins threw for 233 yards and a touchdown, Sincere McCormick rushed for 82 yards and two scores, and UTSA held off Middle Tennessee 37-35 on Friday night in a Conference USA opener for both teams.
UTSA's starting quarterback Frank Harris hobbled off the field with 28 seconds left in the first half and did not return. Adkins, a New Mexico State grad transfer, completed his first two passes before Hunter Duplessis gave UTSA a 17-10 halftime lead with a short field goal.
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Duplessis made his 16th straight field goal with 11:39 remaining for a 37-29 lead, but UTSA punted on its next two possessions. Middle Tennessee put together a 13-play, 72-yard scoring drive, ending with 1:04 remaining, but its two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful in front of a sparse crowd at the Alamodome.
Zakhari Franklin had 119 receiving yards and a score, and freshman Jamal Ligon set a program record with 19 tackles for UTSA (3-0). Jeff Traylor became the first coach in program history to begin his career with three straight wins.
Asher O’Hara threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had two first-half interceptions for Middle Tennessee (0-3). Chaton Mobley added two rushing TDs.
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