No. 23 Troy rallies past No. 22 USTA 18-12 in Cure Bowl in Orlando
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 16: Reddy Steward #18 and Keyshawn Swanson #23 of the Troy Trojans react against the UTSA Roadrunners during the fourth quarter of the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Gunnar Watson's 12-yard scoring pass to RaJae' Johnson in the third period put No. 23 Troy ahead to stay, and the Trojans forced five turnovers in an 18-12 come-from-behind win over No. 22 USTA in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl on Friday.
Troy (12-2) closed out the season with 11 straight victories and set a school record for wins in a season. USTA (11-3) outgained Troy 345-169 and led 12-0 in the first half, but turnovers proved to be the difference.
Troy linebacker K.J. Robertson picked off a pass by USTA's Frank Harris near the goal line in the third quarter. Robertson returned the interception 61 yards, with a 15-yard personal foul penalty tacked on at the end, and the pick set up the go-ahead score.
Watson's TD pass to Johnson gave the Trojans a 13-12 lead, and a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Clayton Ollendieck made it 15-12 with 2:43 remaining in the third quarter. Watson was 13-for-23 passing for 113 yards. Kimani
Vidal rushed for 73 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown. Vidal scored on a 2-yard rush with 50 seconds left in the first half to pull Troy within 12-7.
The Roadrunners took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter on a safety when Troy center Jake Andrews snapped the ball before Watson was ready and the ball bounded through the end zone.
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: UTSA Roadrunners safety Kelechi Nwachuku (6) intercepts the ball from Troy Trojans tight end Deyunkrea Lewis (2) in the first half during the game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Troy Trojans on Friday, December 16, 20
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 16: Reddy Steward #18 of the Troy Trojans breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Zakhari Franklin #4 of the UTSA Roadrunners during the fourth quarter of the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December
Harris connected with Zakhari Franklin for a 2-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to make it 9-0. Jared Sackett added a 42-yard field goal at 6:41 of the second quarter to extend USTA's lead to 12-0.
Harris went 23 for 42 for 198 yards and a TD. Kevorian Barnes rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries.
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 16: The Troy Trojans mascot performs before the game between the UTSA Roadrunners and the Troy Trojans on Friday, December 16, 2022, Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Spor
THE TAKEAWAY
- UTSA: Penalties and turnovers doomed the Roadrunners. They were penalized eight times for 89 yards with several personal fouls. Harris threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.
- Troy: The Trojans got down to their defensive roots and forced UTSA into some uncharacteristic mistakes. They got just enough plays from Watson on offense.
UP NEXT
- UTSA: The Roadrunners will move from Conference USA to the American Athletic Conference in 2023. Quarterback Frank Harris, who holds 34 records at the school, announced he will return for his 7th season.
- Troy: The Trojans will remain in the Sun Belt and try to set another school record for wins under coach Jon Sumrall.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 16: General view of the stadium prior to the game between the Troy Trojans and the UTSA Roadrunners during the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeF
The Cure Bowl is one of three bowl games held in Orlando. This was the eighth installment of the bowl game dedicated to helping raise funds for cancer research.
The next Orlando bowl game is the Cheez-It Bowl, which pits Oklahoma (6-6) against No. 13 Florida State (9-3). The bowl will be played on Thursday, Dec. 29 at Camping World Stadium with kick-off set for 5:30 p.m.