ORLANDO, Fla. – Sun Belt champion No. 24 Troy picked up its 11th-straight victory—the third-longest winning streak in the country—18-12 over Conference USA champion No. 25 UTSA in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl.
The win—in the only bowl game to feature a pair of conference champions this season—was the fifth-straight bowl victory for the Trojans, who are now 6-3 all-time in nine Bowl Season appearances.
UTSA jumped out to a 12-0 first-half advantage on a safety, a two-yard touchdown throw from redshirt senior quarterback Frank Harris to senior wide receiver Zakhari Franklin and a 42-yard field goal.
Buoyed by four-straight possessions with a takeaway by Troy’s stout defensive unit, the Trojans scored 18 unanswered points.
Just three plays after a Gunnar Watson interception was fumbled—and recovered by Troy—essentially producing a 23-yard gain for the Trojans, sophomore running back Kimani Vidal got Troy on the board with a two-yard touchdown run.
Junior bandit Richard Jibunor then posted the first two turnovers, bookending halftime with an interception and a strip sack.
Senior linebacker KJ Robertson got in on the party with an interception on Troy’s own three-yard line, which he returned 61 yards to set up the second Trojans touchdown. A 12-yard strike from junior quarterback Watson to senior wide receiver Rajae’ Johnson gave Troy its first lead of the game with 2:43 to play in the third quarter. Watson also converted the two-point conversion on a pass to junior tight end Clayton Ollendieck to secure a 15-12 lead.
Sophomore safety Keyshawn Swanson made it four-straight turnovers when he stripped UTSA redshirt junior tight end Oscar Cardenas and recovered the fumble himself.
A fake punt—which Vidal rushed for four yards on 4th and 2—led to a 27-yard field goal from senior kicker Brooks Buce to expand the Trojans lead to 18-12 with 9:18 remaining.
UTSA redshirt freshman running back Kevorian Barnes broke free for a 53-yard rush midway through the fourth quarter, setting up the best second-half scoring opportunity for the Roadrunners. On 1st and 5 from the 5-yard line, Troy’s defense again showed out, coming up with four-straight stops to force a turnover on downs and preserve the 18-12 margin.
Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year senior linebacker Carlton Martial led the way for the Trojans defense with 14 tackles in the contest. Vidal rushed for 73 yards and a score and Watson completed 13-of-23 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.
With the win, Troy finishes the year 12-2, marking the first 12-win campaign of the program’s FBS era in the first year under head coach Jon Sumrall—the Sun Belt Coach of the Year.