Texas State dropped their first conference game of the season, falling to the rival Arkansas State Red Wolves 31-30 in a thrilling game that saw both teams score a combined 41 points in the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats fall to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play while the Red Wolves improve to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Texas State struck first on their opening drive, going 75 yards down the field before quarterback Brad Jackson scored on a 24-yard run to put the Bobcats up 7-0.
Quarterback Brad Jackson scores from 24 yards out for the first touchdown of the game. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
Arkansas State answered back with a touchdown drive of their own as quarterback Jaylen Raynor scored on a 13-yard run, tying the game at 7-7.
The Red Wolves then took their first lead of the game, kicking a 51-yard field to go up 10-7.
The Bobcats tied the game on their next possession when Tyler Robles booted a 31-yard field goal to make it 1010.
Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter before the firework show in fourth quarter began.
The Bobcats struck first in the fourth as Jackson hit tight end Titus Lyons on a 13-yard touchdown pass to go up 17-10 over the Red Wolves.
Arkansas State answered back with a touchdown drive of their own as Raynor hit Hunter Summers on a five-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17-17.
Running back Lincoln Pare gave the lead back to the Bobcats, scoring on a four-yard run to cap off a seven-play 75-yard drive, giving Texas State a 24-17 lead.
The Red Wolves answered back, going on a nine-play 80-yard drive, ending with Raynor hitting Kenyon Clay for the five-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 24-24 with 1:20 left in the game.
On the first play from scrimmage for the Bobcats, Jackson broke free for a 63-yard run to put Texas State at the Arkansas State three-yard line. Texas State scored as Pare dove in for the 3-yard touchdown run.
However, on the extra point kick, the Bobcats missed the kick to only give Texas State a 30-24 lead.
The missed kick proved to be costly.
Arkansas State drove down the field 75-yards before Raynor scored from four yards out. The Red Wolves then kicked the extra point to seal the win at 31-30.
Jackson finished the game with 230 yards passing and one touchdown while rushing for 131 yards and one touchdown. Pare rushed for 105 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns as the Bobcats rushed for a team total 289 yards.
Texas State returns home this Saturday for homecoming as the Bobcats host the Troy Trojans. The Trojans are coming off a 31-24 win over archrival South Alabama to win the Battle of the Belt, improving their overall record to 3-2 and their conference record to 1-0.
Kickoff for Texas State-Troy is set for 7 p.m. at UFCU Stadium.
