Exact Change Only: UTSA Overcomes Late Pick-6 to Win 28–21 at Colorado State

Rise of the Roadrunners | Episode 4 Recap

📌 Disclaimer: The following post is a work of fiction created for entertainment 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.

By Frankie “The Horn” Calderón | 94.3 The Bird

Bird Nation — hold on to your hats, because this one wasn’t a cruise-control blowout. In the thin Colorado air at over 5,000 feet, the UTSA Roadrunners nearly saw their perfect season vanish in a blur of green and gold. But when the dust settled at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, it was Exact Change Only: just enough grit, composure, and heart to escape with a 28–21 victory over the Colorado State Rams.

🌄 A Different Kind of Test

The season's first three weeks had been a show of dominance — SEC giants toppled, regional rivals silenced, Big Ten pretenders crushed. However, CSU wasn’t interested in being a footnote.

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi came out slinging, star wideout Armani Winfield finally broke the UTSA defense’s season-long shutout streak, and the Rams played with the kind of defiance that only comes when you smell blood in front of your home crowd.

UTSA answered in kind — Owen McCown found Devinn McCuin and David Amador II for touchdowns, and by halftime, the Roadrunners led 21–7. But as every fan in the Centennial State knows, mountain weather and momentum can change instantly.

🌀 The Pick-Six That Shook the Mountains

With the Roadrunners marching late in the fourth, McCown tried to put the game on ice. Instead, CSU linebacker Owen Long read his eyes, snatched the ball, and thundered 82 yards to the house.

Canvas Stadium exploded. 21–21. The once-invincible Roadrunners suddenly looked human. McCown, helmet dangling in his hand, stared down at the turf. UTSA faced the gut punch of failure for the first time this year.

🏈 Redemption in the Rockies

And yet, this is where legends earn their name. McCown shook off the mistake, led the huddle, and pieced together the season's drive. A sideline dart to De'Corian Clark, a scramble down inside the five, and finally — the handoff to the senior heartbeat of the team.

Robert Henry Jr., bottled up all night, powered through a defender and stepped into the end zone. 28–21, Roadrunners.

The defense closed the door. The band played. The undefeated dream survived.

🔑 Takeaways

• McCown is more than numbers. He’s resilient. His mistake nearly cost the game — but his composure saved it.

• The defense bent but didn’t break. CSU had moments, but UTSA’s front seven came up clutch in the fourth quarter.

• Coach Merritt’s culture is showing. Stoicism, grit, and belief carried this team in their tightest moment yet.

🚨 What’s Next

UTSA leaves non-conference play at 4-0 for the second time in program FBS history. The blowouts were fun, but this? This was something different — proof that the Roadrunners can win ugly, on the road, under pressure.

The American Conference schedule now looms, and Bird Nation, if you weren’t already bought in, it’s time. This train doesn’t take credit — it only accepts Exact Change.

Final: UTSA 28, CSU 21
The birds fly home undefeated, tested, and more challenging than ever.