The 2022 Duluth Trading Cure Bowl was played today – Friday, December 16, 2022 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, FL.  The game featured Sun Belt Conference Champion, No. 24 Troy Trojan versus Conference USA Champions, No. 25 UTSA Roadrunners

UTSA seemed to control the first quarter defensively by keeping Troy deep on their side of the field throughout.  The only score of the quarter came from an unsuspecting Troy snap while on their own 4 yard line that went through the back of the end zone.  

UTSA took the ensuing possession and drove 75 yards for the first touchdown of the game.  A UTSA field goal a couple of possessions later gave the Roadrunners a 12-0 lead midway through the second quarter. It would prove to be UTSA’s final score of the game.

The ensuing Troy possession saw the Trojans drive start at their own 20 yard line.  Aided by some timely UTSA penalties, Troy pushed into the Roadrunners territory.  Troy Junior QB Gunnar Watson then had his pass attempt to Sophomore TE, Deyunkrea Lewis intercepted by UTSA’s Clifford Chattman but immediately stripped by Lewis and recovered by Troy wide receiver, RaJae’ Johnson on UTSA’s 13 yard line.  Troy would go on to capitalize on the second opportunity with a 2 yard touchdown run by running back Kimani Vidal. 

On UTSA’s next possession, Troy defender, Richard Jibunor, intercepted UTSA QB Frank Harris at the Roadrunner 31 and returned it 14 yards with 34 seconds left in the half.  Troy would come up short in adding points before the half, as Gunnar Watson would be intercepted once again,  this time in the end zone by UTSA safety, Kelechi Nwachuku as the half expired.  UTSA holds onto the lead going into the half 12-7.

At the start of the second half, Troy forced a couple of fumbles but was unable to find the scoreboard off of those turnovers.  Then with UTSA driving in Troy territory, Trojan senior linebacker, KJ Robertson Jr came up with the play of the game and the tipping point that Troy needed.  Robinson intercepted Harris’ pass on the Troy 9 yard and returned it 61 yards to the UTSA 22 yard line.  Trojan QB Watson converted the turnover into points when he found RaJae’ Johnson for a 12 yard touchdown and followed it up with a 2 point conversion pass to Tightend Clayton Ollendieck.  Troy was up 15-12.  

Troy would add a 27 yard field goal by Brooks Bruce on their next possession to extend the lead 18-12.  

Troy made their biggest stand on UTSA’s next possession.  After starting their drive on their own 31 yard line, UTSA found their way down to the Troy 5 yard line after a 53 yard line by running back Kevorian Barnes.   After only able to pick up 2 yards in 3 tries, UTSA was faced with 4th and goal from the 3 yard line.  Rather than kick a field goal to cut the lead to 3, UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor decided to go for the lead.  The Troy defense held strong by deflecting the pass attempt into the end zone.  

The Troy defense would go on to further hold UTSA scoreless for the remainder of the game to preserve the 18-12 win.  In all, Troy’s defense forced 5 fumbles, recovering 3, and posting 2 interceptions of which 15 of their 18 points resulted from the turnovers.

Game MVP KJ Robertson brought his daughter onto the field for the postgame celebration and trophy ceremony.  With his daughter Layla high on his shoulders, Robertson received his MVP medal and proclaimed how much the moment meant to him: the moment of his daughter getting to see him play for the first time.

The win capped off Troy’s 11th straight win and arguably the best season in program history.

STATS

OFFENSE: 

TROY – 166 total yds, 17 first downs, 3rd down conversion 3/13, time of possession 33:16

UTSA – 345 total yds, 20 first downs, 3rd down conversion 3/11, time of possession 26:44

RUSHING:

TROY (56 yds) – K. Vidal 22/73 yds 1 TD, G. Watson 9/-32 yds

UTSA (147 yds) – K. Barnes 21/132, F. Harris 9/28 yds

PASSING:

TROY (113 yds) – G. Watson 13/23 1 TD 2 INT

UTSA (198 yds) – F. Harris 23/42 198 yds 1 TD 1 INT

RECEIVING:

TROY – T. Johnson 4/40 yds, R. Johnson 5/41 TD 

UTSA – Z. Franklin 12/36 yds TD, O. Cardenas 7/62 yds, C. Carpenter 12/59 yds

DEFENSE:

TROY – 2 sacks/14 yds, C. Martial 14 tkls(7/7), KJ Robertson 9 tks(5/4) INT, R. Steward 7 tkls( 5/2), S. Brown 4 tkls(2/2) sackR. Jibunor 2 tkls(1/1)sack INT FFUM&R, K. Swanson FFUM&R, D. Lewis sack FFUM, R. Johnson FUM

UTSA – 6 sacks/34 yds, T. Harmanson 6 tkl(4/2), T. Moore 6 tkls(4/2) 2 sacks, J. Ligon 5 tkls(3/2) sack, C. Mayfield 4 tkos (4/0) sack, T. Bell sack, J. Evans sack 7 tkl(3/4), D. Hampton 6 tkl(6/0), D. Hudson 6 tkl(6/0)

Photo credit: Sean Russell/FAAZ Sports