Navy Football Looks to Build Momentum Against UTSA in Crucial American Conference Road Matchup
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
October 16, 2026 | College Football Preview
Navy vs. UTSA
Alamodome • San Antonio, TX
Navy
Tomorrow
8:00 PM
UTSA
The Navy Midshipmen will look to build on their dramatic comeback victory over Tulsa when they travel to San Antonio, Texas, to face the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday night. Navy enters the American Conference matchup with a 2-3 overall record and a 1-2 conference mark, while UTSA has emerged as one of the conference’s strongest teams with a 5-1 record and a perfect 2-0 start in league play. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern at the Alamodome, with ESPNU providing national television coverage. The contest marks the first meeting between the two programs and presents Navy with an opportunity to earn its first road victory of the season.
The Midshipmen enter the weekend with renewed confidence following their 34-26 victory over Tulsa, a game that featured one of the most impressive individual rushing performances in recent Navy history. Quarterback Jackson Gutierrez rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns, helping Navy overcome a second-half deficit and secure its first American Conference victory of the season. UTSA presents a considerably different challenge, particularly with the Roadrunners having established one of the strongest home-field advantages in the conference. Navy must find a way to translate its offensive success in Annapolis into a complete performance on the road.
Navy Coming Off Impressive Comeback Against Tulsa
Navy delivered one of its most encouraging performances of the season against Tulsa on October 10, rallying for a 34-26 victory at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Midshipmen relied heavily on their rushing attack, accumulating 386 yards on the ground while controlling possession for more than 34 minutes. Navy converted eight of 11 third-down opportunities and did not punt during the contest, demonstrating the efficiency that has traditionally made its option offense difficult to defend. The victory ended a three-game losing streak and provided much-needed momentum following consecutive defeats against Florida Atlantic, UAB and Air Force.
Gutierrez emerged as the difference-maker, rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns while consistently finding openings in Tulsa’s defense. His ability to read defensive alignments, accelerate through gaps and extend plays helped Navy maintain possession during crucial stretches of the second half. The offensive line also delivered an outstanding performance, preventing Tulsa from recording a sack and creating opportunities for Navy’s running backs. The Midshipmen will need similar execution against a UTSA defense that has struggled at times to contain opposing rushing attacks.
Defensively, Navy limited Tulsa to just 98 rushing yards on 28 attempts, forcing the Golden Hurricane to rely primarily on their passing attack. Senior linebacker Coleman Cauley led the Midshipmen with 10 tackles, while safety Giuseppe Sessi and cornerback Cam Robinson contributed eight tackles apiece. The defense demonstrated improved discipline against the run, an encouraging development considering the difficult opponents remaining on Navy’s schedule. However, Tulsa still generated 268 passing yards, suggesting that Navy’s secondary will face another important test against UTSA quarterback Owen McCown.
UTSA Entering Saturday With Three-Game Winning Streak
UTSA has established itself as a legitimate American Conference championship contender through the opening six games of the season. The Roadrunners enter Saturday with a 5-1 record, having won three consecutive games following their only defeat against top-ranked Texas. Their most recent victory came against South Florida, when UTSA secured a 31-24 home win to remain undefeated in conference play. The Roadrunners are also receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll, reflecting their increasingly strong position within the conference.
Head coach Jeff Traylor has developed UTSA into one of the most difficult teams to defeat at home. The Roadrunners have compiled a remarkable 26-1 record against conference opponents at the Alamodome under Traylor, including games played during their Conference USA and American Conference memberships. UTSA is undefeated in three home games this season and enters Saturday within one victory of securing bowl eligibility for the seventh consecutive year. Navy must overcome both a talented opponent and a difficult road environment to improve its conference record.
Jackson Gutierrez Emerging as Navy’s Offensive Leader
Gutierrez has become one of Navy’s most important players following the injury to starting quarterback Braxton Woodson. The junior has demonstrated exceptional rushing ability, particularly against Tulsa, where his 232 yards represented the most by a Navy player since Malcolm Perry rushed for 304 yards against Army in 2019. His 41 rushing attempts were also the most by any FBS player in a single game this season, illustrating how heavily Navy relied on its quarterback to generate offensive production. Gutierrez enters Saturday averaging 101 rushing yards per game, ranking among the nation’s most productive rushing quarterbacks.
The Midshipmen also have a dangerous complementary rushing weapon in junior snipe Michael Barrow, who rushed for a career-high 107 yards on 14 carries against Tulsa. Together, Gutierrez and Barrow helped Navy produce its first game with two 100-yard rushers since November 2025. Freshman wide receiver Truman Brasfield provides a vertical threat when Navy chooses to throw, having caught touchdown passes of 68 and 58 yards in consecutive games against Air Force and Tulsa. Although Navy attempts relatively few passes, its 17.6 yards per completion ranks second nationally, making the passing game a dangerous complement to its option attack.
Navy’s Rushing Attack Matches Up Favorably Against UTSA
One of the most important statistical matchups Saturday will be Navy’s rushing offense against UTSA’s defensive front. The Midshipmen average 299.4 rushing yards per game, ranking third nationally, while the Roadrunners allow approximately 184.7 rushing yards per contest. Navy’s ability to control the football, execute option reads and consistently generate positive yardage could expose UTSA’s defensive weaknesses. Establishing the run would also shorten the game and limit the possessions available to McCown and the Roadrunners’ offense.
UTSA must remain disciplined against Navy’s option system, particularly when defending Gutierrez on the perimeter. The Midshipmen are capable of attacking defenses between the tackles, stretching plays outside and occasionally connecting on explosive passes when defenders become overly aggressive against the run. Navy has also converted 10 of 13 fourth-down attempts this season, ranking among the national leaders in that category. Those extended possessions could prove especially valuable against a UTSA team that has consistently found ways to win close games.
Owen McCown Gives UTSA an Advantage Through the Air
UTSA quarterback Owen McCown presents a different challenge from the opponents Navy has faced in recent weeks. McCown has thrown for more than 1,200 yards this season while helping the Roadrunners establish a balanced offensive attack capable of moving the football through the air and on the ground. His experience and ability to manage late-game situations were important factors in UTSA’s victory over South Florida, which featured the Roadrunners scoring the winning touchdown with just 15 seconds remaining. Navy must prevent McCown from finding a comfortable rhythm, particularly on third downs and in obvious passing situations.
Running back Will Henderson III also provides UTSA with an important offensive weapon, entering the matchup with more than 480 rushing yards. His production gives the Roadrunners the ability to maintain offensive balance and prevent opposing defenses from focusing exclusively on McCown. However, Navy’s rushing defense has been one of its strongest units, allowing just 2.6 yards per carry entering the week. If the Midshipmen can contain Henderson and force UTSA into predictable passing situations, they could create opportunities to disrupt the Roadrunners’ offense.
Turnovers Could Determine Saturday’s Outcome
Despite its impressive offensive performance against Tulsa, Navy committed four turnovers, including three lost fumbles and an interception. The Midshipmen also turned the ball over on downs, making their comeback victory particularly unusual. Navy had not won a game with four turnovers since the 2014 Poinsettia Bowl against San Diego State. Repeating those mistakes against UTSA would likely prove far more costly, particularly with the Roadrunners playing at home and possessing a more balanced offensive attack.
Ball security will be especially important for Gutierrez, whose responsibilities within Navy’s option offense require him to make split-second decisions while handling the football on numerous possessions. The Midshipmen cannot afford to give McCown additional scoring opportunities through turnovers or poor field position. Navy has already demonstrated that it can move the football effectively, but sustained drives must translate into points rather than wasted opportunities. Winning the turnover battle would significantly improve the Midshipmen’s chances of securing their first road victory.
Navy Defense Must Continue Its Second-Half Success
Navy’s defense has demonstrated an impressive ability to make adjustments during games, particularly after halftime. The Midshipmen have allowed an average of just five second-half points against FBS opponents this season, placing them among the nation’s best teams in that category. Their performance against Tulsa illustrated that strength, with Navy limiting the Golden Hurricane to six second-half points while the offense completed its comeback. Head coach Brian Newberry will need another disciplined defensive effort against a UTSA team capable of scoring quickly.
Cauley and Sessi will be particularly important in preventing explosive plays and keeping UTSA’s offense in manageable situations. The Midshipmen must tackle effectively in open space, maintain coverage discipline and generate pressure without creating opportunities for McCown to escape the pocket. Navy has struggled to generate turnovers consistently this season, making third-down stops and field-position advantages even more important. A strong defensive performance could allow the Midshipmen to keep the score close and give their offense an opportunity to control the fourth quarter.
Keys to the Game
Navy must establish its rushing attack early and force UTSA to defend the option for four quarters. The Midshipmen have the personnel to exploit the Roadrunners’ difficulties against the run, particularly if Gutierrez continues producing at the level he demonstrated against Tulsa. Long scoring drives would help Navy control the clock and reduce the number of possessions available to UTSA’s offense. However, the Midshipmen must protect the football and avoid the costly mistakes that nearly prevented them from defeating Tulsa.
UTSA’s biggest priority will be containing Gutierrez and forcing Navy into uncomfortable passing situations. The Roadrunners must also capitalize on their home-field advantage, where they have been nearly unbeatable against conference opponents under Traylor. McCown’s ability to make plays through the air could become increasingly important if Navy successfully limits Henderson and the rushing attack. Special teams, third-down conversions and red-zone efficiency could ultimately decide what appears to be a competitive American Conference matchup.
Game Prediction
MSB projected final score
Navy Midshipmen
27
UTSA Roadrunners
30
Editorial prediction, not a reported result.
Navy’s rushing attack gives the Midshipmen a legitimate opportunity to upset UTSA, particularly considering the Roadrunners’ difficulties defending the run. Gutierrez should find opportunities to generate significant yardage, and Navy’s ability to control possession could keep the game competitive into the fourth quarter. However, UTSA’s home-field advantage, McCown’s experience and the Roadrunners’ offensive balance make them the slight favorites. Expect a competitive contest with UTSA making enough plays late to secure a narrow victory and improve to 6-1.
MSB Take
Navy’s victory over Tulsa demonstrated the resilience that has become a defining characteristic of Newberry’s program, but the Midshipmen still have considerable work to do. The emergence of Gutierrez has given Navy a dangerous rushing quarterback capable of carrying the offense, while Barrow and Brasfield provide additional explosive options. However, the turnovers against Tulsa remain a significant concern, particularly against an opponent as talented and experienced as UTSA. Navy must demonstrate that it can execute consistently without relying on another dramatic second-half comeback.
Saturday’s matchup represents an important opportunity for Navy to change the direction of its season and reestablish itself as a contender in the American Conference. A victory would improve the Midshipmen to 3-3 and provide momentum heading into their October 24 home matchup against North Texas. Even a competitive loss would demonstrate progress, but Navy cannot afford to continue falling behind in the conference standings. The Midshipmen have the offensive personnel to challenge UTSA, and their ability to protect the football will likely determine whether they leave San Antonio with a victory.
Research sources: Navy Athletics, UTSA Athletics, American Conference, ESPN and Underdog Dynasty.
