TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State returns home following their loss to Arkansas State as the Bobcats host the Troy Trojans for Homecoming Weekend.
The Trojans enter the game with a 3-2 overall record following a 31-24 overtime win over the South Alabama Jaguars in the Battle for the Belt rivalry. Troy has also recorded wins over Nicholls and Buffalo.
Troy underwent a change in offensive scheme early in the season due to the injury of starting quarterback Goose Crowder during the Trojans game against Memphis, going from a passing offense to a triple-option offense. In the Trojans win over South Alabama, Troy was led by quarterback Tucker Kilcrease who led the team in rushing with 19 carries for 102 yards and one touchdown. Following Kilcrease was running back Tae Meadows with 17 carries for 79 yards and one touchdown. The Trojans rushed for a team total 217 yards against the Jaguars.
Meadows leads the team in rushing yards for the season with 75 carries for 416 yards and three touchdowns followed by running back Jordan Lovett with 36 carries for 139 yards. Kilcrease is third in rushing with 47 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 416 yards and three touchdowns.
Through five games, the Trojans are averaging 22.6 points per game.
On defense, the Trojans are led by safety Devin Lafayette who leads the team in total tackles with 51 along with one sack. Linebacker Jordan Stringer is second in total tackles with 43.
The Trojans defense is allowing an average 23.2 points through five games.
The series history be- tween Texas State and Troy dates back to 1996 when the Trojans became football-only members of the Southland Conference from 1996-2000.
The Trojans defeated the Bobcats 24-13 in their first ever meeting during the 1996 season.
In their showdown in 1997, Texas State faced off with the No. 7 ranked Trojans on a Thursday night in San Marcos.
The Bobcats stunned Troy, upsetting the Trojans 31-17 behind 159 rushing yards from senior running back Claude Mathis.
Troy would defeat Texas State three consecutive times before making their transition to FBS in 2001.
The series resumed in 2013 when Texas State joined the Sun Belt Conference, where Troy had been a member since 2005.
In the first meeting in 12 years, Troy defeated Texas State 42-28. The two teams would not play again until 2016 when the game became an annual contest.
Troy continued their dominance over Texas State, winning eight straight matchups to push their winning streak over the Bobcats to 12 games.
With the Trojans success against the Bobcats, many Texas State fans wonder if a long-coveted win over Troy ever would come. However, they got their answer during the 2024 season.
In the conference opener for both teams, ironically on a Thursday night, Texas State made the trip to Troy to faceoff with the Trojans.
The Bobcats jumped out to a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending their lead to 28-10 at halftime. Troy was unable to climb out of the hole as Texas State went on to win 38-17 over the Trojans.
Kickoff for Texas State-Troy is set for 7 p.m. Saturday Oct. 11 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
Texas State defeated Troy last season 38-17 for the Bobcat’s first win over the Trojans since 1997. Troy leads the all-time series 13-2. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
Texas State is 49-38-1 in homecoming games dating back to 1934 when Texas State hosted East Texas A&M. The Bobcats will wear special Southwest Texas throwbacks honoring the school’s former name, a tradition started in 2023. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
