UTSA starting quarterback Frank Harris is “day-to-day” this week ahead of Saturday’s matchup against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
Harris, a six-year senior, missed last week’s game against UTSA with an injury and his status remains in question ahead of this week’s matchup against Tennessee.
“It’s not changed,” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said of Harris’ status Monday. “It’ll be day-to-day and we’ll see how he looks. If he’s not 100% he will not play.”
UTSA is a week away from opening AAC play against Temple and while the Road Runners are off to a disappointing start to the season, they haven’t played a conference game yet and still have a number of those goals out ahead of them.
Could that affect whether UTSA decides to play Harris as multiple touchdown underdogs against Tennessee? Traylor says no.
“That sounds great but there’s just no way you’re going to keep a kid like Frank Harris off the football field if he’s 100%,” Traylor said. “One, he’s done too much for the program. Two, he’s too good of a player. He’s the leader of our team. If he’s 100% you have to let the kid play to get better.”
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UTSA entered the season with New Years Six Bowl aspirations. The Road Runners went 11-3 last season and won the Conference USA before moving to the American Athletic Conference ahead of this season.
With Harris returning after throwing for 4,059 yards and 32 touchdowns a season ago, UTSA had high expectations. The Road Runners have stumbled out the gates with close losses against Houston and Army but still have achievable conference goals in their first season in the AAC.
Harris has started for UTSA at quarterback over the last three seasons and has 9,775 passing yards and 76 passing touchdowns as the Road Runners’ quarterback. The veteran returning to the field is key for UTSA to reach its conference goals.
Sophomore quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger performed well in Harris’ absence against Army despite the loss. Marburger completed 17-of-25 passes for 239 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in his first career start.
Kickoff between Tennessee and UTSA at Neyland Stadium is at 4 p.m. ET Saturday afternoon. Dave Neal, Derek Mason and Taylor Davis are on the call for SEC Network.
