ORLANDO, FL – This year’s Duluth Trading Cure Bowl proved to be more exciting than many expected when the Toy Trojans defeated the University of Texas, San Antonio Road Runners 18 – 12 in a well defended game at Exploria Stadium in Friday.
Troy (11-2) closed their season with an 11- game wining streak, while UTSA (11-3) were more dominant in the first half with 345-166 yards and a 12-0 lead in the first half.
Mistakes and turnovers gave Troy to window to work their way back into the game.
Troy linebacker K.J. Robertson picked off a pass by UTSA’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.
In the third quarter, Gunnar Watson threw a 12-yard scoring pass to RaJae’ Johnson to put No. 23 Troy ahead to stay, and the Trojans forced five turnovers in an 18-12 come-from-behind win over No. 22 UTSA.
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.
UTSA couldn’t muster up any points after the half, as Troy Scored 7 a touchdown in thee second Quarter and the third, as well s a field goal in the fourth.
UTSA managed two sacks on the Trojans, but the two interceptions killed them, because they resulted in 75 years for Troy.
The Roadrunners dominated on offense, with 194 yards passing compared to only 113 for Troy, and 151 yard rushing compared to a putrid 40 yards rushing for Troy.
It was those interceptions and penalties that did them in after a good game otherwise.
The 22-combined victories between Troy and UTSA are the most of any non-playoff bowl game matchup this year. This is also the only bowl matchup to pit two conference champions against each other.
Orlando, Florida, USA, December 16, 2022, USTA Roadrunners quaterback Frank Harris #0 looks to make a pass in the second half at Exploria Stadium. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)
The purpose of Duluth Trading Cure Bowl, as their slogan says “It’s about more than a game.”
It’s a celebration of those who are living with cancer today and those who will face it tomorrow.
The Cure Bowl is a platform to help raise funds for cancer research. This bowl game has helped to put Orlando at the center of some of the world’s greatest advancements in cancer science. Since 2015, the bowl has raised a collective $3.88 million.
