The Countdown to Kickoff Series takes a look at the upcoming 2025 season for Texas State in their final year in the Sun Belt Conference.
This week will preview the Bobcats final Sun Belt Conference game as Texas State hosts the South Alabama Jaguars. South Alabama finished the regular season with a 6-6 overall record, and finished tied for second in the Sun Belt West Division with Texas State and Arkansas State.
During the 2024 season, the Bobcats defeated the Jaguars 45-38 for the ‘Cats first ever win against South Alabama in Mobile.
South Alabama was invited to play in the Cramton Bowl, where the Jaguars defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 30-23.
The Jaguars are looking to reload for the 2025 season after losing their leading passer, rusher and pass-catcher on offense.
Returning for South Alabama is running back Kentrel Bullock who looks to lead the offense going into this season. Bullock was second in rushing for the Jaguars with 831 yards on 152 carries and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Bishop Davenport also returns, having passed for 606 yards and three touchdowns last year.
On defense, linebacker Blayne Myrick returns as last season’s leading tackler for the Jaguars. Myrick made 101 total tackles, 45 solo tackles, two sacks and one interception.
The series history between Texas State and South Alabama dates back to 2013, when the Bobcats joined the Sun Belt while the Jaguars were in their second season in the conference as a football-playing member.
The first ever game played between the Bobcats and the Jaguars took place during the 2013 season when Texas State hosted South Alabama. The game ended in thrilling fashion with Jason Dean kicking the gamewinning 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the game to seal a 33-31 win.
The Jaguars returned the favor the next season when South Alabama defeated Texas State 24-20 after stopping the Bobcats on the USA fouryard line with just five seconds left in the game. The loss proved to be critical to the Bobcats bowl chances that season, when Texas State finished at 7-5 but were unable to secure a bowl game invitation. South Alabama, who finished the season at 6-6, was invited to play in the Camellia Bowl.
Texas State got their revenge the next year in 2015 with a 36-18 win over the Jaguars.
The series went on hiatus the next season before both Texas State and South Alabama joined the Sun Belt West Division in 2018 where both teams have played ever since.
The series became defined by home wins before the 2024 season, regardless of the record of either opponent. South Alabama won all their home meetings in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2022, while Texas State won all their home meetings in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The streak of the home wins ended in 2024 with Texas State defeating South Alabama 45-38 as the Bobcats churned up over 500 yards of offense against the Jaguars.
Texas State leads the overall series against South Alabama 6-4.
Kickoff for Texas State and South Alabama is set for Saturday, Nov. 29 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
Texas State leads the overall series against South Alabama 6-4. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
