How UTSA plans to show resilience in critical clash with North Texas

UTSA Roadrunners running back Will Henderson III (1) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Rice Owls in Houston, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 3, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News) Finding a team that was still carrying the embarrassment of last week's blowout loss to Florida Atlantic as UTSA stepped onto the practice field Tuesday, coach Jeff Traylor turned to the Bible verse Philippians 3:13-14. "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal," the verse reads. Traylor said real coaching starts in the face of adversity, and the Roadrunners met plenty in a 60-29 loss at FAU last Thursday that ended UTSA's unbeaten run through the American Conference. In his seventh year leading the program, Traylor knows longtime observers and even some of the players have likely grown tired of hearing his familiar mantras, but he has no plans on breaking from the core beliefs that helped set the foundation of the program. The approach has helped the Roadrunners consistently rebound from setbacks under Traylor, and as UTSA prepares to host North Texas at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Alamodome with conference title hopes still in the balance, receiver Mekhi Anderson said the team's confidence has never wavered. "It's just fighting for your brothers, knowing just that you have guys that's with you through everything," Anderson said. "Through any challenging moments or any adversity, we just keep fighting. We don't give up. You will never see us go away." READ MORE:How UTSA's defense aims to find consistency in matchup against North TexasThe Roadrunners are 17-6 following a loss since Traylor took over prior to the 2020 season, including a 15-4 mark since 2021. UTSA has dropped back-to-back matchups against Group of Six competition only three times since Traylor took the helm, and never in consecutive weeks. Anderson, in his third year with the Roadrunners, pointed to the "Ubuntu" mindset the team has used as a rallying cry this season, drawing on the old African phrase that means "I am because we are." Offensive lineman Luke Lapeze, who stands as the longest tenured Roadrunner after joining the team in 2021, said that idea was central to UTSA's culture long before they gave it a name. "It's just grit," Lapeze said. "Coach Traylor does a great job and really believes in us and treats us really, really well. So we want to do right by him, and play well for him and the staff. ... It's been a motto this year, but in years past, we've kind of always had that, where we play for each other and our coaches." UTSA Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown (2) scrambles past Rice Owls defensive lineman Aquantis Clemmons (57) during the first quarter in Houston, Texas, Saturday, Oct., 3, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News) After getting "a good serving of humble pie" against FAU, Lapeze said he's seen a team that looks "a lot more locked in" this week. Since January, Traylor has been pushing the Roadrunners to better understand their personal identity. Each player was tasked with refashioning UTSA's signature "Triangle of Toughness" to fit their own goals and motivations, and now those reminders hang in each UTSA locker. "We did a good job of getting to know ourselves, but now we have to continue to do a good job of getting to know our opponent," Lapeze said. "Coaches kind of challenged us to continue to watch film and do a good job of diagnosing them outside of the RACE, at home." Cornerback RJ Lester said Traylor's messaging helped the players keep a level head, as the coaches focused on both the positives and the negatives from UTSA's play even after the worst performance of the year. The conversations about goals are also the same as they've been since the spring, Lester said, as the Roadrunners remain in the American championship hunt. North Texas carries the only unbeaten record in the league at 5-0, with Memphis and UTSA tied for second at 4-1. "Every game matters to us, but then when you kind of look at the standings and how things are falling, it is a great opportunity to go out there and make sure that our season lives on and makes it to that conference championship," Lester said. UTSAvs. North Texas: 5 players to watch as banged-up Roadrunners aim to reboundDefensive lineman Jusiah Sampleton and many of the Roadrunners have been more rigid about keeping the "1-0 mentality," focused only on what's needed to beat North Texas rather than what comes next. With a handful of newcomers in the room this year, Sampleton said the defensive line group spoke about tough losses at previous stops, aiming to bounce back by returning to the basics. Traylor has been sure to note that disappointment is not exclusive to the Roadrunners, with top-ranked teams falling nearly every week across the national landscape. He set out to build this year's roster with a greater focus on experience and maturity over raw talent, and this week has brought another reminder that the Roadrunners are "super kids," he said. A handful of coaches on Traylor's staff have been with him since the beginning of his tenure, experiencing enough highs and lows to help the Roadrunners weather another storm. "Each week is different. We've won some games this year when we didn't play well, too," Traylor said. "It's easier to coach after a win. It's harder to coach after a loss. So, that's where I'm counting on some veteran coaches and some veteran players to respond to my leadership." SubscribeThere’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at How UTSA plans to show resilience in critical clash with North Texas.