Roadrunners host Rice in Homecoming showdown

Wide receiver De'Corian Clark and the high-powered UTSA offense will take on Rice in the Homecoming game Saturday at the Alamodome. Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics

OCTOBER 13, 2021 — The Roadrunners are off to the greatest start in program history, and they’re looking to stretch their record to 7–0 this weekend when they take on the Rice Owls in this year’s Homecoming game. The showdown begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 16, at the Alamodome.

UTSA remains undefeated after an exciting 52–46 win on the road against Western Kentucky last Saturday. The Roadrunners’ effort was led by quarterback Frank Harris, who passed for six touchdowns and even caught a touchdown pass in the game to earn Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors. Meanwhile, Rice has a 2–3 record but has notched wins over Texas Southern and Southern Miss in its last two contests.

The university is celebrating Homecoming all week with events and activities leading up to Saturday’s game. This includes voting for the Spirit of the Roadrunner award, which recognizes students who embody the spirit of UTSA while striving for the highest levels of academic achievement, campus involvement and community service. Winners of the Spirit of the Roadrunner will be announced during the Homecoming game.

Roadrunner Nation is invited to show its school spirit this week and get amped for UTSA’s upcoming football game through the following family-friendly activities:

GAME WEEK EXCITEMENT

Game Week Wednesday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, Central Plaza, Main Campus

Join the Rowdy Crew, UTSA’s very own student spirit organization, for Game Week Wednesday. Learn how to be a part of the full game day experience and have a chance to win Rowdy Crew merch to wear to the Alamodome for Saturday’s game. This is one Game Week Wednesday you won't want to miss. UTSA Football coach Jeff Traylor will be handing out tacos from Taco Palenque from 11 a.m. to noon, and then UTSA Soccer will get Roadrunner fans geared up for their Thursday night game with a special "pie-in-the-face challenge" from noon to 1 p.m.

The Jeff Traylor Radio Show
7 p.m., Wednesday, The Sand Box, 7280 UTSA Blvd.

Fans are invited to join Traylor and host Andy Everett each week for a one-hour radio show at the Sand Box, within walking distance of the UTSA Main Campus. All shows will be carried live in the San Antonio area on Ticket 760 AM or online at goUTSA.com and Ticket760.com. Roadrunner fans may also tune in via the free iHeartRadio and The Varsity Network apps. Additionally, fans can watch the show each week on Facebook Live via the UTSA Athletics Facebook page and call in with questions by dialing (210) 736-9760. The Jeff Traylor Radio Show is scheduled to air at the same time each Wednesday throughout the season (subject to change).

Homecoming Blitz
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, October 14, Bill Miller Plaza, Downtown Campus

Join UTSA Student Activities for the Homecoming Blitz and get pumped up for Saturday’s game. Enjoy food and activities at this spirited event at the Downtown Campus. In the event of inclement weather, the event will pivot to the Buena Vista Assembly Room (BV 1.338).

Homecoming Soccer Game vs. Louisiana Tech
7 p.m., Thursday, Park West Athletics Complex, Park West Campus

UTSA Soccer is off to a sizzling start with a 7–4–1 record. Watch the Roadrunners go for their eighth win as they take the pitch against Louisiana Tech on Thursday night. Parking is available at the Park West Athletic Complex and admission to the game is free for everyone.

UTSA Spirit Day
All day, Friday, October 15

Put on blue and orange or wear your favorite UTSA gear and show off your school spirit the day before the Homecoming game! Be sure to tag @UTSA and @UTSAStudents when sharing your school spirit on social media.

PRE-GAME

Rowdy Town
2 p.m., Saturday, October 16, H-E-B Plaza (north side of the Alamodome)

Roadrunner fans of all ages can take part in free pregame festivities, including interactive games, displays, food and beverages. A concert featuring country music recording artist Curtis Grimes will be held at Rowdy Town from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

UTSA Alumni Association's Roadrunner Nation Tailgate
2 p.m., Saturday, The Espee (formerly Sunset Station), 1174 E. Commerce St.

The UTSA Alumni Association invites fans to the official Roadrunner Nation Tailgate to get rowdy with prizes, food and an open bar. RSVP with your Alumni Association membership before the game to get free tailgate admission. Not a member? Friends of UTSA can either purchase a membership for free entrance or pay $20 at the gate. Be sure to bring your digital membership card for quick and easy tailgate admission. Get your tailgate tickets or membership at the UTSA Alumni Association website.

Spirit Walk
2:45 p.m., Saturday, Alamodome, Roadrunner Alley (between Lots B and C)

This is an exciting tradition for fans to get the team pumped up for the game. Join the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band and UTSA spirit squads as they accompany the team down Roadrunner Alley and into the Alamodome two hours before each home game. Fans can line the walkway between the Alamodome parking lots B and C to cheer on the team.

UTSA Student Indoor Tailgate
3:30 to 4:45 p.m., Saturday, Alamodome, Hall of Fame Club (north end of Club level)

The UTSA Student Indoor Tailgate is the new gathering spot for students inside the Alamodome on game day. Free food and beverages will be available (while supplies last). Door prizes include concession vouchers and UTSA apparel.

GOING TO THE GAME

Get Your Tickets

Current UTSA students receive free admission to all home games by downloading tickets via their Account Manager. Students may also purchase up to four guest tickets at $12 each in advance or $13 at the Alamodome box office.

Tickets for the general public can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Additionally, there are "all-inclusive" options that provide access to the new Touchdown Club located in the north end zone.

For walk-up sales, the Alamodome Southwest Box Office will open at 10 a.m. Saturday. All other Alamodome box offices will open at 2:30 p.m. Customer service windows are located at the northeast and southeast box offices. 

Game Day Parking and Tailgating

Tailgating is back in the Alamodome parking lots this season. Lots A, B and C will open at 10:30 a.m. for those who have valid parking passes. Do not enter the lots prior or Alamodome staff will ask you to vacate your spot(s) and re-enter once the lots are open. A limited number of disabled parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Paid parking is available in the parking lot next to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center at the corner of Montana Street and Tower of the Americas Way. UTSA students, faculty and staff may park in any unmarked spaces with a valid UTSA parking permit on Saturdays at the Downtown Campus under IH-35.

Visit UTSA Athletics online for more information about parking passes, RV passes, ADA passes and tailgating guidelines in the Alamodome parking lots. Student organization tailgating begins at 1 p.m. 

Getting to the game

Students and their guests may park at the UTSA Main Campus and catch a UTSA shuttle to the game at the North Paseo Bus Oval just outside of the North Paseo Building. Shuttles will begin service to the Alamodome at 2 p.m. The last shuttle will depart campus at 4:30 p.m. Students will be dropped off and picked up at the Robert Thompson Transit Station at the Alamodome.

UTSA shuttles will leave the Alamodome to return to the Main Campus at the start of the fourth quarter. The last shuttle will depart from the Robert Thompson Transit Station at the Alamodome one hour after the end of the game.

VIA has announced that it will now serve UTSA home football games. VIA's route 93 IH-10 Crossroads/UTSA Express will provide service from the Main Campus, the University Park and Ride and the Crossroads Park and Ride to the Robert Thompson Transit Station at the Alamodome. VIA will offer return service after each game. The route will be on its normal Saturday schedule. UTSA students can use their U-Pass to ride route 93 for free.

Need some UTSA gear?

Fans can buy the latest UTSA apparel and accessories from the Rowdy Campus Store, which will be set up in Lot C near Roadrunner Alley. Merchandise sales counters are also located inside the Alamodome on the Plaza and Club Level concourses.

Alamodome Entry

Masks are highly encouraged for all visitors and staff inside the Alamodome. Anyone experiencing COVID-like symptoms is encouraged to refrain from attending.

To encourage physical distancing and to minimize larger crowds in the main entrances in the concourses, a gate plan has been created to disseminate the crowds throughout the various entrances to the Alamodome. Unvaccinated guests are required to practice physical distancing, including standing at least six feet away from other groups of people not traveling with them while standing in lines, and avoiding the elevators.

Fans should also be aware of the Alamodome clear bag policy, including a list of the approved bags.

Alamodome doors will open to the public 90 minutes before kickoff. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats 15 minutes before kickoff for the pregame festivities on the field, featuring the Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band.

WATCH. TWEET. CELEBRATE.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live!

Saturday’s game will air on the ESPN+ digital network and via the ESPN app. ESPN+ is a streaming service that costs $7 per month or $70 per year, and a subscription is required to watch.

The contest will air live on Ticket 760 AM in the San Antonio area and on SiriusXM app channel 984. Everett (play-by-play), Jay Riley (analyst) and Pat Evans (reporter) will call all the action. The pregame show will begin at 3 p.m. and there will be a 45-minute postgame show. The radio broadcast also can be heard online at Ticket760.com and via the iHeartRadio and The Varsity Network apps.

Game Day Traditions and Social Media

Get into game mode by brushing up on UTSA game traditions and other important information. Stay engaged with fellow Roadrunners by sharing your UTSA game day experiences on social media using #UTSA, #BirdsUp, #GoRunners and #DefendTheDome. Also, follow UTSA Football and UTSA Athletics on Twitter and UTSA on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Campus Experience

During the football season, the Monument lights and Student Union Tower lights will glow blue and orange during home game weeks. After a win, the lights turn orange in celebration for the rest of the weekend.

— Shea Conner