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Through his seven-year tenure with UTSA, coach Jeff Traylor has always been particular about how he describes the concept of a balanced offense.
The Roadrunners don't need to find even totals for rushing and passing when they check the stats at the end of a game. What matters is if UTSA's offense can be effective in either area when the moment arrives.
Eight games into the 2026 season, UTSA ranks No. 40 in the FBS in rushing at 184.9 yards per game and 74th in passing with 224.4 yards per game. Traylor is more concerned with the fact that UTSA ranks atop the American Conference with a 7-1 overall record and a 4-0 mark in the league.
"My offensive coordinator is here to win football games. He's not here to pad stats," Traylor said. "We're here to win the game, and whatever that takes is what we're going to do, whether that means throw it or run it."
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The result is a Roadrunners team that can win in a variety of ways. Through eight games this year, passing and rushing have accounted for the bulk of UTSA's offense four times each.
Quarterback Owen McCown said UTSA's success starts with diagnosing the defensive scheme through the week of preparation. If the outlook calls for more run, he's not afraid to continue "just leaning on those guys up front" along the offensive line.
"We're always confident in being able to do whatever we want to do, whatever coach calls," McCown said. "Our run game's been huge for us, and I know we want to attack the ball and push it downfield, but I think complementary football is having the run game at your side to use whenever you can."
Five players to watch as UTSA aims to notch another road win at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against Florida Atlantic:
Owen McCown, quarterback
McCown's most successful season from a wins and losses standpoint in his three years as UTSA's starter has also been his least prolific statistically. He's kept about on par with the past two seasons at 7.2 yards per attempt, and his completion rate of 69.5% is a new high, but his 218.9 yards per game average is a step down from the last two years.
Part of that is due to the success of the Roadrunners' ground game, and McCown suggested that those gains could lead to more opportunities for the passing attack when needed.
"It starts with being able to run the ball, so then they'll respect you in the run game, and then it opens up the pass," McCown said. "So, that starts with just running the ball, holding up up front as an offense, and then me delivering those receivers the ball."
Will Henderson, running back
The biggest beneficiary of UTSA's emphasis on the run, Henderson has racked up 664 yards and five touchdowns on 109 carries this year, averaging 6.1 yards per rush. But the Roadrunners have also been effective spreading carries around to keep the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Henderson sprinting at full speed.
A'Marion Peterson has 354 yards and 10 touchdowns on 57 rushes, while Brandon High has 289 yards and three scores on 63 attempts.
"They're three of the most unselfish kids I've ever coached," Traylor said. "I would sign Will Henderson, Brandon High, and AP to a 35-year rev share deal right now if I could. They're the three best human beings you'll ever meet in your life."
Darrell Jones, offensive line
UTSA's starting right guard in every game, Jones has played his best in recent weeks, posting his three highest pass-blocking grades of the season across his past three games, per Pro Football Focus.
Traylor said UTSA's offensive line took a slight step back in the 42-19 win against Tulane two weeks ago after posting its best showings in the previous two games, but he credited the Green Wave for showing some tweaks that forced the Roadrunners to shift their plan.
"I thought we adjusted well as the game went," Traylor said. "We did a really good job of blocking the different looks once we got the iPads out and got to the sideline."
Owen Pewee, linebacker
Delivering the most productive game of his five-year career with UTSA, Pewee racked up three sacks, five total tackles and a pass breakup against Tulane.
After starting the year with a shift to inside linebacker, Pewee quickly returned to his more versatile money backer position, lining up all over the field for the Roadrunners. Each of the three plays that resulted in sacks against the Green Wave started with Pewee positioned across from an interior offensive lineman.
"We'll continue to move him around. We will try to get him where we can use him to his best ability," Traylor said. "He'll do whatever he's asked to do. There are very few people like Owen Pewee, and we're blessed to get to coach that young man."
Elijah Newell, safety
Leading UTSA's defense with 398 snaps played this season, per Pro Football Focus, Newell has stepped forward in his third year with UTSA after manning a combined 289 snaps in a reserve role across his first two seasons. He ranks fourth on the team with 31 tackles, but he said the biggest difference has been the leadership responsibility on the back end.
"It's changed a lot, because I'm really not vocal, so me talking is a lot different," Newell said. "But it comes out naturally when you know the people that's beside you, and you're really playing for the people that's beside you."
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This article originally published at UTSA vs. FAU: 5 players to watch as Roadrunners look for another road win.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/utsa-vs-fau-5-players-234024886.html