No. 22 Troy rallies past No. 22 USTA 18-12 in Cure Bowl

Associated Press
Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 7:24 p.m. | Friday, Dec. 16, 2022 7:24 p.m.

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Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson looks for a receiver as he is pressured by UTSA defensive lineman Joe Evans during the first half of the Cure Bowl on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Gunnar Watson’s 12-yard scoring pass to RaJae’ Johnson in the third quarter put No. 23 Troy ahead to stay, and the Trojans forced five turnovers in an 18-12 come-from-behind win over No. 22 USTA in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl on Friday.

Troy (12-2) closed out the season with 11 straight victories and set a school record for wins in a season.

USTA (11-3) outgained Troy, 345-169, and led 12-0 in the first half, but turnovers proved to be the difference.

Troy linebacker K.J. Robertson picked off a pass by USTA’s Frank Harris near the goal line in the third quarter. Robertson returned the interception 61 yards, with a 15-yard personal foul penalty tacked on at the end, and the pick set up the go-ahead score.

Watson’s TD pass to Johnson gave the Trojans a 13-12 lead, and a 2-point conversion pass to tight end Clayton Ollendieck made it 15-12 with 2 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Watson was 13 for 23 passing for 113 yards. Kimani Vidal rushed for 73 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown.

Vidal scored on a 2-yard rush with 50 seconds left in the first half to pull Troy within 12-7.

The Roadrunners took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter on a safety when Troy center Jake Andrews snapped the ball before Watson was ready, and the ball bounded through the end zone.

Harris connected with Zakhari Franklin for a 2-yard scoring pass early in the second quarter to make it 9-0.

Jared Sackett added a 42-yard field goal at 6:41 of the second quarter to extend USTA’s lead to 12-0.

Harris went 23 for 42 for 198 yards and a TD. Kevorian Barnes rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries.