From Bobcat to Roadrunner, former Trojan quarterback Eric Soza has transferred from Texas State University to the University of Texas at San Antonio to finish his studies and to play football.

The fledgling football program at UTSA won’t take to the competitive playing field until 2011 but the Roadrunners will be putting in hours and hours on the practice fields this fall and in the spring of 2011 in preparation for the real thing under head coach Larry Coker.

The Roadrunners will play their home games in the Alamodome and will meet teams such as McMurry, Sam Houston State, Georgia State and McNeese State during their first year of football. The Roadrunners will begin competitive football on Sept. 3 with a home date against the Northeastern Oklahoma State RiverHawks.

Soza follows his offensive coordinator from Texas State, Travis Bush, to the Roadrunners and has a step up on the offense that will be run by the UTSA squad.

“We are happy for Eric knowing that he will be a part of a brand new program at UTSA. UTSA is going to do things right,” said Eric’s father and former Trojan head coach Chris Soza.

“Their coaching staff is outstanding and the name Larry Coker speaks for itself.”

Coker is the head coach at UTSA and brings with him a resume that includes a national championship at Miami in 2001.

Eric red-shirted at Texas State and still holds four years of eligibility as a Roadrunner.

“Eric has a chance to continue doing what he was doing at Texas State, getting a great education and playing the game he loves so much. We are excited for the opportunity he has been given and look forward to seeing him in action the next four years,” said Chris.

Bruce Harper is the sports editor at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 123, or at sports@mySouTex.com.