Season still alive: Bobcats fight off ULM in 31-14 win

The scoreboard read 31-14 in favor of the Bobcats over the Warhawks, but this game was bigger than that. This game was about keeping the season alive. With six losses already on the year, including a five-game losing streak that was broken last week, Texas State came into the game knowing that a loss would end any chance of a third consecutive bowl game. Texas State Head Coach G. J. Kinne said that a stretch like that “makes you soul search.” The last two weeks, it seems the Bobcats might have found something. “We were in a funk in a twilight zone and for them to be able to climb out of that and go play the way they have the last couple of weeks, it says a lot about the players and the coaching staff.” After matching the slowest start of the season in the first half, the Bobcat offense found its rhythm. Texas State has one of the top offenses in the country, and generally speaking the most successful offense in the Sun Belt. It certainly didn’t feel that way at halftime with the Bobcats clinging to a three-point lead over the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks 3-0. That three-point first half output matched the lowest total the Bobcats had put up in an opening half this year, as they did against Arizona State earlier this season. The defense has been criticized throughout the year, but it has now performed well over the last two games. This week, it may have saved Texas State’s season. “Those guys really came together, and they’re practicing really hard,” Kinne said. “I think there’s something about when your back’s against the wall and having to go get a win each and every week. Going 1-0. They’re responding the right way. I thought that fourth down stop [at the beginning of the second half] was maybe the play of the game. Surprised they went for it. But when teams do that, we’ve got to show that we can get a stop and go score a touchdown.” The struggles started after two successful punts from ULM pinned the TXST deep in their own territory. The Bobcats dodged disaster on their second possession, which started at their own 1-yard line. It was nearly turned into a safety after Lincoln Pare narrowly exited the end zone before Texas State punted on a three-and-out. The third possession of the game ended similarly, with the Bobcats punting from their own end zone once again. However, the defense continued to hold strong. The Warhawks saw some success early on with a seven-play, 32-yard drive on their first possession to take control of field position, but at the end of the first quarter, ULM had only gained 44 total yards. After finally getting out of their own end zone, freshman quarterback Brad Jackson led Texas State on a 14-play, 71-yard drive including connecting twice with tight end Blake Smith. But the offense stalled in the red zone. Kicker Tyler Robles hit a 30-yard field goal to put the first three points on the scoreboard. The Bobcat defense continued to hold strong led by the center of the defensive line. Defensive tackle Devarrick Woods pushed into the backfield on first down to tackle running back Braylon McReynolds three yards behind the line of scrimmage eventually forcing a three-and-out. It appeared the Texas State offense was beginning to wake up putting together a second consecutive long drive. Pare turned two passes in the backfield into big gains as the ‘Cats pushed deep into the red zone again. On third down and 12, Jackson looked for his favorite wide receiver Bo Sparks on a post route but was forced to the right on a broken play. Jackson tried to force the ball into a receiver turning up field towards the end zone only to be picked off by ULM’s David Godsey Jr. ULM couldn’t muster much against the Bobcat defense, only gaining 69 yards in the first half with 25 of that coming in the second quarter. Texas State was able to gain 149 yards in the first half, largely through the air, but the interception kept them from putting many points on the board. With 28 yards receiving in the first half, Sparks became the first Bobcat wide receiver to cross the 1, 000-yard receiving mark in a season since Cameron Luke in 2008. Luke accomplished the feat twice in 2007 and 2008. They are the only two receivers in program history to have 1, 000 yards receiving in a single season. “Honestly, it’s just a blessing,” Sparks said after the game. “I just want to give all the glory to God. I’m super grateful to be on this team and around such a great team that just pushed me and just allowed me to be my best self. So I’m super blessed.” Coming out in the second half, the Bobcats turned the game up on both ends. The defense continued to stifle the Warhawks. Receiving the kickoff to start the second half, ULM was quickly forced into a fourth-down and one at their own 35 yards. A run up the middle by McReynolds was met in the hole by senior edge Kenard Snyder for no gain to force the turnover on downs. From there, the game belonged to Jackson. After one first down run by Greg Burrell up the middle for 11 yards, Jackson took off on third down and scrambled for 19 yards to score the first touchdown of the game making it 10-0 with 11: 10 left in the third quarter. The Warhawk offense, which came into the game as one of the worst in the country averaging only 308 yards total per game this season, came alive. A 20-yard pass from quarterback Aidan Armenta to Jonathan Bibbs softened the Texas State defense. Alternating between gashing runs and solid passes, the Warhawks marched down the field before running back Zach Palmer-Smith ran it in for a 14-yard touchdown. The score was 10-7, with the Bobcats leading, with 7: 15 remaining in the third quarter. Back on offense, Jackson showed why he is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in college football. He completed six of seven passes and ran for a 22-yard scramble to lead Texas State on a 11-play 72-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass to Pare to make the score 17-7 with 3: 12 remaining in the third quarter. Closing out the third quarter the Bobcat defense held once again. Palmer-Smith hit the ‘Cats with a 14-yard gain, but that was the only yardage gained on the drive. Another stellar punt from Warhawk punter Makenzie Ryan cornered the ‘Cats at the five-yard line once again, but Burrell took the ball 42 yards up the left sideline to clear the way as the quarter ended. While the Warhawks gained 104 yards in the third quarter and scored a touchdown, the Texas State offense showed their stripes with 179 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter. It didn’t take long for the Bobcats to bring it home with 11: 30 left in the fourth quarter, Jackson found Sparks for a 16-yard touchdown to bring the score to 24-7. Louisiana Monroe responded with a big drive themselves finding success on the ground as Texas State began to try to prevent the big play. Armenta ran it in himself from 12 yards out, but the drive took nearly four minutes off the clock. The Bobcats still had a two-score lead with 7: 37 left on the clock. To this point in the game, Texas State was largely only effective running the ball when Jackson scrambled from the pocket, with questions remaining as to whether or not they could run the clock out for the win. Five straight runs to Pare got the Bobcats three first downs. Jackson added a 13-yard run himself to keep the clock rolling on the way to an 11-play, 72-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Jackson would take the ball in for a score himself from seven yards out, his second rushing touchdown of the game, to make the score 31-14. “People are afraid to play us man, so they’re just kind of putting an umbrella on defense and mixing things up front really daring us to run the ball,” Kinne said. “And when we’re able to run the ball like we did in the second half, we’re really tough to beat, because then you start getting those weapons loose and the quick touches are huge the perimeter throws. So to be able to finish the game the way we were. Milking the clock. Running the football. That’s what I really challenged the guys to before the game. We’ve got to be able to control the tempo of the game. When you’re able to run it when they know you’re going to run it, that’s huge. So a lot of credit to the offensive line as well and those running backs.“ Jackson led the way passing and rushing for Texas State. He was 25-32 passing for 201 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also added 88 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. The redshirt freshman received high praise from his coach. “I don’t know if I’ve said it publicly or not, but he’s going to go down as the best player that’s ever played here, and it probably won’t be close,” Kinne said. “So for him to be able to leave a legacy like that, and to go lead those guys and continue to put up the numbers that he’s going to put up, man, he’s dangerous.” Pare had 76 yards on the ground and Burrell added 61. Sparks led the team in receiving with 10 receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. Chris Dawn Jr. had seven receptions for 60 yards Pare had five receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. With bowl eligibility at stake and one more chance at home, Texas State now turns toward South Alabama with its season and a chance to jump in the river on the line. The game kicks off at 2 p. m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at UFCU Stadium. “This is our Super Bowl,” Kinne said. “I know it’s Thanksgiving and all that, but man, don’t go home. Don’t go see your family. Go eat, but do all that on Sunday. We need you here ready to go. There’s class Monday and Tuesday too, so we’re going to be strict taking attendance for all the students. I already talked to [TXST President Kelly Damphousse]. We’re giving some tests on Monday and Tuesday. Everybody’s got to be in town next week. Don’t go home. No online classes. We need everyone here supporting our guys, because this is an opportunity to go jump in that river and extend the season for these seniors.”.
https://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/article/31966,season-still-alive-bobcats-fight-off-ulm-in-31-14-win