From staff reports
Conway, Ark. — As long as the Bobcats are still alive, they’re going to keep fighting.
Texas State had the breath taken from its lungs with a late touchdown by Central Arkansas, but its heart wouldn’t stop. The Bobcats answered with a show-stopping touchdown of their own and beat the Bears, 27-24.
“Sixty minutes. That’s what we started talking about since we began conference play,” Texas State head coach Brad Wright said. “We didn’t do it against Southeastern Louisiana, but maybe we learned our lesson. The kids played hard.”
The Bobcats battled down to the final drive of a game that saw six lead changes and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter with less than two minutes on the clock.
Texas State trailed 17-13 going into the fourth quarter and was without No. 1 wide receiver Da’Marcus Griggs for most of the game. Yet, the Bobcats still had Daren Dillard.
Dillard was Mr. Big Time for Texas State in Conway, as he reeled in nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. His score (a 20-yard catch) put the Bobcats ahead 20-17 with 12:28 left in the game.
“We have guys stepping up,” Texas State senior quarterback Bradley George said. “Everybody asked what we’re going to do without Cameron Luke. But we have speed and athleticism.”
UCA took the lead back (24-20) with 1:40 left, but two costly penalties by the Bears put the Bobcats at midfield.
Texas State needed eight plays to get to the end zone (three of which were passes to Dillard) and won it on a 24-yard strike from George to Darius Bolden.
• Tyler Mayforth
