An Underground Brawl of Undefeated Underdogs in the Alamo City: 2-0 UTSA Hosts Big Ten Opponent 2-0 Maryland Before Conference Schedule

📌 Disclaimer:
The following post is a work of fiction created for entertainment purposes within the video game universe of College Football 26. All characters, events, and storylines — including Coach Clay “Stonewall” Merritt, Frankie “The Horn” Calderón, and their journey with the UTSA Roadrunners — are entirely fictional and not affiliated with the NCAA, UTSA, or EA Sports. This series is fan-made and meant to celebrate the spirit of college football storytelling.

No One Saw It Coming. Some Are Still Resisting Its Reality.

While none outside the inner media circle saw this start coming from the UTSA Roadrunners under Clay “Stonewall” Merritt, there’s little doubt now about whether this team is a genuine contender. Still, like all unexpected truths, some continue to bash the merit (pun intended) and try to take away from the first 2-0 start in five seasons.

“People call UTSA a Cinderella story, but I think that is lazy. Merritt isn’t dancing in glass slippers; he’s wearing steel-toed boots and stomping through anyone in their way,” Joel Klatt said on the most recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show.

While it’s easy to look at the gaudy offensive stats — over 53 points per game and 14 touchdowns between their quarterback and running back so far — like Klatt stated, that would be lazy. The real strength of this team has been the defensive effort, especially the linebacker play. Shad Banks Jr. and Kendrick Blackshire are making it nearly impossible to run against this defense; each has multiple sacks blitzing from space, and Blackshire is tied for the lead in total turnovers while holding the outright lead in interceptions.

Would this team be able to dazzle you with offense? Absolutely — but mainly because your eyes are still watering from the punch to the nose Merritt’s defense gives you.

While people like Klatt embrace reality, some still refuse to see what’s happening in San Antonio. “Listen, I know they’re the talk of the town, but UTSA is still playing in a league where they can have off weeks and get away with it. Drop them in the SEC West, you’re looking at three, maybe four losses a year.”

That was Paul Finebaum — a respected voice in college football who lately seems to have transitioned to WWE promos with little substance. Someone must’ve forgotten UTSA walked into SEC West territory at Kyle Field and whooped the then #21 ranked Texas A&M Aggies. But giving Finebaum that reminder would give him more credit than he deserves.

While he can have his takes this season, the overall message behind his comments might not be too far off. It’s a future problem, because we’re still chasing our first FBS conference title. Eventually, Merritt will have this team too good for the American Conference. They’ll either have to earn the trust that a Group of Five team can be a viable playoff contender — or find a bigger stage. Cincinnati’s 27-6 loss to Alabama in 2021 and Boise State’s 31-14 defeat against Penn State in last year’s quarterfinals remain the reference points. For people to believe, they must see it — and that’s precisely what this series is about.

Two Teams Fighting for Respect

Maryland, while a member of the Big Ten, is not a storied program. Most college football fans would sooner argue about whether geographically they belong in the Big Ten than about anything they’ve done on the field. “Crab Cakes and football! That’s what Maryland does!” was a throwaway line in the seminal comedy classic Wedding Crashers — but it’s the energy their fans would love to prove true.

Last week, they beat Northern Illinois at home 41-24, their second Group of Five opponent of the season. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington is coming off a 22-for-30 performance for 267 yards and 2 TDs. It’s not just his arm that defensive coordinators have to worry about; he also had 16 carries in the game. It wasn’t a great rushing effort for him — just 29 yards and a lost fumble — but he’s mobile enough to be dangerous.

This UTSA team has already entered the matchup with nearly 20 sacks this season, meaning Washington must be sharp and ready to throw on the move. The Terrapins’ backfield features sophomore running backs Nolan Ray and Jarren Humphrey, who combined for 21 carries, 126 yards, and a touchdown each last week. They’ll need their offensive line to play its best game of the year against the nation’s top-ranked run defense.

If all else fails, Maryland has an explosive weapon in the passing game: junior wide receiver Kalen Webb, who hauled nine catches for 160 yards and one of Washington’s touchdowns against NIU.

A Big Ol’ Texas Welcome

Many folks around here ask what Maryland can do to stop McCown and the Roadrunners’ offense. Not even SEC might or in-state rivalry hatred has slowed them down. So what’s a third-tier team from a Super Conference going to do?

McCown said this week about the game:

“It’s the game you dream about, but dreaming doesn’t win. At home, two undefeated teams are fighting for respect in the Alamodome. We’ve been working for these moments since January — now it’s all about playing our brand of football for sixty minutes. The rest will take care of itself.”

I don’t know about you, but that fires me up!

Frankie’s Final Horn

We’ve said it before: once is a fluke, twice is a pattern, and three times is something real. I see the real emanating from this team now that Stonewall has them moving. It’s a machine that constantly pushes and attacks until everything crumbles, then walks away with a decisive victory.

This will not be a fluke, just like the SEC learned the hard way. The Rise of the Roadrunners is real and coming this Friday. If you can’t be there in person, listen along with us on 94.3 The Bird and watch on the Far End of the Bench YouTube channel.