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UTSA beat North Texas 48-27 to become the first team since 2016 to win back-to-back Conference USA championships. The Roadrunners moved to 11-2 on the season after a perfect 9-0 run against conference competition and 23-4 over the past two years under coach Jeff Traylor.
Roadrunners quarterback Frank Harris capped off a legendary campaign by completing 31 of 36 passes and tallying nearly 400 yards and offense and five total touchdowns. Freshman running back Kevorian Barnes added 173 yards and a touchdown in one of the best performances of his young career.
North Texas had opportunities to get back into the game but squandered them in big moments. Mean Green quarterback Austin Aune had a pass tipped for an interception that was quickly converted into a rushing touchdown from Harris. UNT also had a chance to get points near the end of the first half, but a delay of game set the Mean Green behind the chains. UTSA forced a three-and-out and Harris led a massive touchdown drive to put the Roadrunners up two scores against their in-state rival. Receiver Zakhari Franklin caught the pass to end the half, one of his three touchdown catches of the game.
UTSA's Conference USA crown marks the final one before the Roadrunners, Mean Green and four other conference mates leave for the American Athletic Conference in 2023. More than 41,000 fans showed up at the Alamodome, the biggest UTSA crowd against a conference foe in program history and the most since hosting Baylor in 2018.
The loss leaves North Texas without a conference championship as a member of Conference USA. The Mean Green's last conference title came as members of the Sun Belt in 2004.
