By Tyler Mayforth
Texas State is presented with a new question leading up to the 2009 football season.
Who will be the star?
The question didn’t need to be asked the last two years, as Cameron Luke was the go-to player. Luke dominated attention on the field with his 6-foot-2, 211-pound frame.
He seemed to come down with every ball on a big play. Luke averaged 66 catches, 1,151 yards and 14 touchdowns in his last two years with the Bobcats.
“We knew what Cam would bring to the field every game,” Texas State co-offensive coordinator Travis Bush said. “We could go to him and he’d perform for us. This year, we have a lot of people in the waiting there and there’s going to be an opportunity for them to step up.”
While he wasn’t a surprise performer last season, Karrington Bush stepped into a starring role along with Luke.
Bush compiled 1,065 yards and provided the Bobcats with an alternative option out of the backfield other than Stan Zwinggi. The soon-to-be junior scored 11 touchdowns and averaged 7.8 yards per carry in 2008.
Mishak Rivas turned into another dynamite option for Texas State last season.
The soon-to-be sophomore broke into the spotlight as a freshman from the first game of the season. His speed out of the slot provided the Bobcats a much-needed lightning to Luke’s thunder.
“Last year the one that kind of came on the scene was Mishak,” Bush said. “We knew how fast and talented he was when we recruited him, but to see him on the field was something special. He did things with the ball that just made your jaw drop.”
Rivas reeled in 40 passes for 625 yards, which included a 70-yard touchdown reception. He was fourth on the team with 761 all-purpose yards and averaged 13.6 yards per touch.
If Bush and Rivas still compete at their high levels, that will leave Texas State with two stars needing to establish themselves.
One will be Bradley George, who will lead the Bobcat offense for the third consecutive season.
George, a 27-year-old quarterback from New Braunfels, showed poise and precision once rejoining the starting lineup.
He torched Southland Conference opponents for close to 300 yards and three touchdowns per game.
“Bradley definitely sparked it up from what he did the past couple of years,” Bush said. “He performed at a high level when we needed him most. That’s what you want to see out of your quarterback.”
That leaves the last question mark.
More than likely, the answer will come from the group of unproven Texas State wide receivers.
The Bobcats return Daren Dillard (five touchdowns), E.J. LeBlanc (one), Darius Bolden (none) and Da’Marcus Griggs (none). Joe Chaisson, who spent a lot of time on the sideline last year due to injury should see a good chunk of time.
“There’s going to be a star and you just don’t know who it’s going to be,” Bush said. “We have a bunch of returning guys, which is great because last season we had a bunch of first-year guys at those positions.
“Right now, I can’t tell you who’s going to step up. Every year it’s someone new.”
Texas State opens the 2009 season Sept. 5.
