In a very evenly contested match (which I knew would be) we kicked off on time and in the first 10 minutes of the match we were knocking on the UTSA red zone, but due to mental errors which kept us from scoring. UTSA then capitalized on some of our mistakes and marched the ball down the field to spend some time in our red zone, but unlike us (mental errors) our defense was able to keep them from scoring and the match went on back and forth down the field. With the wind at UTSA's back late in the first half, they attempted a penalty kick which was off and the kick bounced off the chest of a UTD player back onto the pitch which the referee deemed as a knock on, and awarded a scrum to UTSA on our 5 meter line. UTSA won the scrum, but was unable to crack through on the initial surge, but after multiple phases, they were able to score the first try of the match and missed the conversion. With 10 minutes remaining in the first half UTD Flanker Zach Ussery got a finger in his eye and was temporarily unable to see and was replaced by Jacob Byrd. Note: Zach's eye sight was returned and he played in the second side match. Later, scrumhalf Cameron Broussard appeared to score, but no try because he grounded the ball beyond the dead ball line. The first half ended UTD 0, UTSA 5.
At the half, the only sub made was Fullback Ross Chan for Steven Shaffer, not that Steven was playing bad, it's just that both fullbacks bring different things to the game.
The second half kicked off with the wind at our backs and things began to happen. A mishandling of the ball by UTSA allowed Sean Harris to fall on the ball in goal for the equalizing try, Vince missed the conversion. UTD 5, UTSA 5. At one point center Nathan Sohadaseni almost intercepted a pass to score the equalizing try, but was called back because of a knock on.
Then a penalty against UTSA allowed Vince to connect on a penalty kick which put UTD up 8 to UTSA's 5. The play continued on like the first half, with both teams going back and forth. About 15 minutes into the second half, flanker Jacob Byrd was Red Carded for punching a UTSA player, deserved, but this put us a a disadvantage. Now we're playing 14 against 15. In the scrums, I asked Ross to come up and play flanker for the scrums only then retreat back to his fullback position when play was open. He stepped up and performed great, he showed the club that he's willing and able to step into any position to help out where needed.
Then with roughly minutes left to go with UTD hanging on to a 3 point lead, center Dominic Prestia got a good pass from Vince and with speed and power drove UTSA defenders back to score the match clincher, and this time Vince connected on the conversion. The final score UT Dallas 15, UTSA 5.
On a serious note, I have to apologize to the families of UT Dallas, because my actions during the game was unbecoming of a coach to these fine men. I allowed the referees consistent bad calls against us get the better of me and we were penalized for my outbreak. I am truely sorry for this and I hope to not allow this to happen to me again.
The Line up for the UTSA Match:
1. Sean Harris 9. Cameron Broussard
2. Anthony Paradowski 10. Vince Dutton
3. Erbold Uran 11. Alejandro Chinchilla
4. John Bradshaw 12. Dominic Prestia
5. Weston Hearne 13. Nathan Sohadaseni
6. Ben Bales 14. Marc Hudak
7. Zachary Ussery 15. Steven Shaffer
8. Steven Hale
16. Ross Chan - Replaced Steve Shaffer in the second half
17. Jacob Byrd - Replaced Zachary Ussery at the 30 minute mark in the first half.
There was a second side match played and again these men stepped up and played very well, they may have lost to game 10 to 5, but on a good note, they scored a try to make it respectable.
These players are:
1. Justin Didier 9. Cameron Broussard
2. Scott Fahle 10. Stephen Boeding
3. Josef Velten 11. Luke
4. Conner Spencer 12. Brandon Miller
5. Jimmy Chi 13. Chad McDonald
6. Richard Clubine 14. Marcus
7. Zach Ussery 15. Steven Shaffer
8. Ross Chan
17. David Weisser replaced Conner for final 10 minutes
19. Alex replaced Josef for final 10 minutes
20. Jonathan Holmes replaced Justin for final 10 minutes
The match this week is against SMU, we played them last October and they beat us by 24 points, but we aren't the same team now as we were then. I expect this to be a real good match and considering we've locked in at least a
number 2 seed and Home field for the first round of playoffs, a win Saturday
will no doubt lock us in as a number one seed and Home field advantage
throughout the playoffs.