Texas State isn’t a football team when it travels for a Southland Conference road game.

The Bobcats don’t go on road trips — they take business trips. Texas State, as a team, transforms into a squad of CEOs once the bus or plane wheels start rolling.

“We take an attitude with us on the road that it's just business,” Bobcat quarterback Bradley George said. “You can focus better on the road and not worry about what's happening Thursday or Friday night. I don't know how many we've won on the road, but it's been quite a few, so obviously it's working.”

Texas State has actually won seven consecutive SLC games away from the friendly confines of Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats’ last loss was at the hands of Central Arkansas in 2007 — who they play Saturday night at 6 p.m.

“I can’t even remember back to 2007,” Texas State head coach Brad Wright said. “I know we didn’t do well, but these are two completely different teams on the field now.”

The Bobcats were blown out of Estes Stadium by the Bears in 2007 (63-21 loss) and fell a touchdown short in San Marcos last season (31-24).

UCA took Texas State by surprise in 2008, as the Bears chose to keep it on the ground rather than air it out. Even though UCA had standout quarterback Nathan Brown, the team pounded Brent Grimes and Leonard Ceaser a total of 36 times for 196 yards.

“We watched film after that game and there was a key play that they kept running over and over,” Bobcat linebacker Joe Bell said. “We didn't fit our assignments too well and it hurt us.”

Brown is gone, but the Bears still have Grimes and Ceaser. UCA is relying even more on its running backs in 2009.

Grimes and Ceaser have combined for 1,143 yards on 191 carries and 16 touchdowns this season. Both running backs nearly rushed for 100 yards each against Western Kentucky and Northwestern State.

The Bobcats haven’t had much success stopping the run, as they’ve allowed 130 or more yards in six of their eight games. Texas State has also allowed more than 200 yards four times and are the 94th-ranked defense against the run in the FCS.

“There's been some big plays that we've let up on the ground, but as a linebacker, I try to make it where the run isn't a factor and the other team has to try to pass to beat us,” Bell said. “It takes all seven of us in the interior defense to step up and not let that happen.”

Should the Bobcats find a way to stop the run, UCA will be forced to put the game into the hands of quarterback Robbie Park. While Park isn’t as accurate or talented as Brown, he spreads the ball around (four of his receivers have 200 or more yards).

Texas State does have experience against the Bears’ passing attack already this season as it played Northwestern State — whose offensive coordinator was pulled from UCA last season by Bradley Dale Peveto. The Bobcats held the Demons to 117 passing yards.

“They're going to try to control the clock like they did last year,” Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil said. “We need to do a good job of hitting the gaps and meeting the ball carrier in a pack.”

If the Bobcats set the tone on defense, like they did against SFA, they'll be in good shape. Texas State forced a three-and-out on the Lumberjacks' first offensive possession and then scored on the ensuing drive.

The Bobcats will have their hands full with UCA's defensive line, as Markell Carter and Larry Hart are behemoths at defensive end. Hart leads the Bears with six sacks, while Carter has 5.5.

“SFA had a good defense, but Central Arkansas' is better,” George said. “(UCA's) defensive ends get around the tackles quickly and make plays before you know it.”

One of the best ways to neutralize good defensive ends – and to keep George vertical – is to run the ball. Texas State struggled to run against the Lumberjacks, rushing for 52 yards on 32 carries.

If the Bobcats keep the Bears' defense honest, they'll be able to use more of the playbook. Texas State, in turn, will be able to use more clock and then limit UCA's rushing attack. Should the Bobcats handle the little things, they could pick up their eighth consecutive SLC road win.

“It's going to be my last road trip,” George said. “I mean, I hope we make the playoffs and put together a deep run, but this is my last SLC road trip. I'd like to go out a winner.”