Conference: Conference USA
Coach Stats
Why should this nominee be considered for the Broyles Award?
Jess Loepp has helped turn the UTSA defense into one of the top units in the nation, helping the team to a 10-0 record and national ranking. The Roadrunners rank in the top 10 in rushing defense and in the top 20 in total defense and takeaways. UTSA has pitched a pair of shutouts this season and has held four opponents to fewer than 200 yards of offense.
Coach's Past Performance
UTSA led C-USA in sacks (25), tackles for loss (85), interceptions (11), takeaways (19) and turnover margin (+7) in 2020 in his first season with the program. In fact, the Roadrunners ranked in the top 30 nationally in five categories — 19th in turnovers gained, 23rd in passes intercepted, 25th in fumbles recovered (8), 26th in turnover margin and 29th in tackles for loss per game (7.1). Loepp mentored Rashad Wisdom to first-team all-conference honors in 2020.
Team Record and Standings
10-0 overall; 6-0 and first place in Conference USA; ranked No. 15 in AP Top 25 and No 18 in USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll; No. 23 in the CFP Rankings released on Nov. 9.
Team/Unit Stats
UTSA leads C-USA with 89.9 rushing yards allowed per contest to rank sixth in the nation, and they stand second in the league in total defense (323.1 ypg), good for 20th in the FBS. UTSA also has forced 19 turnovers, the 14th-best total in the nation. The Roadrunners have posted two shutouts this season, 54-0 against Lamar and 45-0 versus Rice. UTSA has held four opponents to fewer than 200 yards in a game this season. The Roadrunners are the only FBS team to hold two opponents — Rice and Lamar — to fewer than 40 passing yards in a game this season.
Individual Player Stats
Rashad Wisdom, a safety, leads the team with 63 total tackles and 47 solo tackles to go along with four PBUs, a QB hurry and a forced fumble. The other starting safety, Antonio Parks, has posted 30 tackles, 21 solo stops, one tackle for loss, one interception return for 44 yards and four PBUs.
