Published: October 12, 2008 12:30 am            

Texas State stuns third-ranked McNeese

Lake Charles, La — It seemed like a daunting task for the Texas State football team.

The Bobcats opened Southland Conference play by needing to travel into the Bayou to play McNeese State. The Cowboys were ranked third in the nation and had the top-ranked offense.

Texas State didn’t care.

The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, stunning McNeese 45-42 at Cowboy Stadium.

“All I know is that we came into the palace of the number-three team in the nation and we’re walking away with the victory,” Texas State head coach Brad Wright said. “It will make the six-hour bus ride at least tolerable on the way back.”

Texas State put up 14-unanswered points in the first quarter after the Cowboys opened the scoring. Cameron Luke reeled in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Bradley George and Karrington Bush bounded in from 11 yards out.

Before the half, the Bobcats added 10 more points, behind Blake Burton’s 1-yard run and Andrew Ireland’s 36-yard field goal. Texas State went into the break with a 24-14 lead.

The Bobcats came out strong in the third quarter, something they lacked in previous games. Texas State scored 14 points in the period, both from the arm of George.

Luke caught his third touchdown of the night to put Texas State up 45-20, but McNeese wouldn’t be denied.

While their defense played stout all night, the Bobcats allowed the Cowboys to creep back into the game. McNeese scored on three drives of less than two minutes and thirty seconds to make the score 45-42 with 56 seconds remaining.

The ensuing onside kick went into the hands of Texas State and it wrapped up the win.

“I think Bradley and the offense did a great job tonight and the defense did a great job right up until the very end,” Wright said.

George finished by throwing 316 yards and four touchdowns, three of which went to Luke. The senior wide reciever reeled in nine passes for 142 yards.

Bush rushed 13 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, while averaging 9.8 yards per carry.

Texas State piled up 544 yards of total offense. The Bobcats return home next week to play Central Arkansas at 3 p.m.

        

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