SPORTS//UTSA
Fitzpatrick’s Early Heroics Lead UTSA to 27-10 Win Over East Carolina, but Injury Clouds Victory
By Kregg Lucas, Staff Writer
September 22nd, 2024
FITZPATRICK CELEBRATES A LONG TOUCHDOWN PASS TO DEVIN MCCUIN
San Antonio, TX — The UTSA Roadrunners continued their unbeaten season with a 27-10 victory over the East Carolina Pirates, improving to 7-0 and solidifying their position atop the AAC standings. However, the celebration was muted as star quarterback Cam Fitzpatrick left the game in the fourth quarter after a controversial late hit by an ECU defender. Fitzpatrick, who was placed in concussion protocol following the incident, did not return.
First-Half Domination
The Roadrunners wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Fitzpatrick leading the charge. The sophomore quarterback showcased his precision, completing 21 of 28 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns before his departure. His first scoring strike, a 24-yard dart to David Amador II, opened the scoring late in the first quarter. Fitzpatrick followed it up with a deep 71-yard touchdown to Devin McCuin early in the second, igniting the home crowd.
Fitzpatrick didn’t just shine through the air—he capped off a stellar second quarter with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, giving UTSA a commanding 24-0 halftime lead. By then, the game felt out of reach for ECU, whose offense struggled to find any rhythm against a swarming UTSA defense.
Second-Half Setback
Early in the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick dropped back to pass and delivered a strike downfield, only to take a crushing hit from an ECU defender well after the throw. The officials immediately flagged the hit for roughing the passer, and the UTSA sideline erupted in frustration as Fitzpatrick lay on the turf. He remained down for several moments before walking off under his own power. UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor confirmed postgame that Fitzpatrick is in concussion protocol and will be evaluated further in the coming days. Backup quarterback Owen McCown managed the offense for the remainder of the game, helping to preserve the lead.
Defensive Brilliance and Key Contributions
The Roadrunners’ defense was relentless, holding ECU to just 10 points and forcing the Pirates to play catch-up all night. The secondary locked down ECU’s passing game, limiting quarterback Jake Garcia to short throws until a late touchdown pass to TJ Engleman.
On the offensive side, McCuin and Amador II were Fitzpatrick’s favorite targets, combining for 10 catches and 240 yards. McCuin’s electrifying 71-yard touchdown highlighted his game-high 121 receiving yards, while Amador II added 119 yards and a score of his own. Running back Kevin Barnes chipped in with 40 rushing yards on nine carries, helping to chew the clock in the second half.
What’s Next?
The Roadrunners will await updates on Fitzpatrick’s status as they prepare for their next matchup. With Fitzpatrick’s availability uncertain, UTSA may need to adjust its high-flying offense. “It’s the next-man-up mentality,” said Griffin. “Cam’s our leader, but we’ve got a deep roster and a lot of guys ready to step up.”
For East Carolina, the loss drops them to 5-1, as they struggled to match the intensity of UTSA on both sides of the ball.
UTSA fans will hope for good news on their star quarterback, but for now, the Roadrunners remain unbeaten, marching toward a potential AAC title with a statement win under their belts.
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