TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State’s 28-7 start in the first quarter was not enough as the Troy Trojans outscored the Bobcats 34-13 before sealing the win in overtime, giving the ‘Cats a 48-41 loss.
Texas State and Head Coach G.J. Kinne fell to 3-3 for the season and 02 in conference play while Troy improved to 4-2 and 2-0 in conference play. “Just unfortunate, two weeks in a row, just crazy games,” Kinne said. ”I felt like we played every situation the right way, no turnovers again [on offense]. Obviously the onside kick they had was a good call right there. … We have to coach better and we have to make plays. They never gave up and made more plays than us, so super unfortunate. I’ve got to go back to work. It’s the only thing you can do.”
Despite the Bobcats churning up over 570 yards of total offense including rushing for 326 on the ground, Troy had over 458 yards of total offense along with 415 passing yards.
“We just have to make plays [on defense] and just unfortunately, we keep getting in those situations where [if we make the play] we’re off the field,” Kinne said. “Talking about playing complimentary football, we did early but just in the second half, we couldn’t get off the field. [Troy] just kept on converting those fourth downs, getting the two point conversions. We held them on the one, which was really good. Those guys made a lot of plays. Give those guys a lot of credit.”
The Bobcats struck first as quarterback Brad Jackson scored on an eight-yard touchdown run to give Texas State a 7-0 lead.
After the Texas State defense forced a threeand- out on Troy’s first offensive possession, the Bobcats struck again as running back Greg Burrell scored on a 60-yard touchdown run, extending the lead 14-0.
Following another three-and-out forced by the Bobcat defense, Texas State added to their lead. Running back Lincoln Pare scored from seven yards out as the Bobcats went up 21-0.
Troy answered back on their final possession of the first quarter. Quarterback Tucker Kilcrease found wide receiver RaRa Thomas for a 57yard touchdown pass, cutting the Bobcats lead down to 21-7.
While the Trojans seemingly stopped the Bobcats momentum, the Texas State offense stuck again. Pare scored for the second time of the night, running for a 62-yard touchdown run, pushing the Bobcats lead to 28-7.
Troy answered back with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up over seven minutes of game clock, ending with Gilcrease hitting Jackson Worley for a six-yard touchdown pass, cutting Texas State’s lead to 2814.
Tyler Robles added on to the Bobcats lead on their next possession, kicking a 42-yard field goal to make it 31-14.
The Bobcat defense forced their third threeand- out of the night as Texas State got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Texas State was forced to punt for the first time in the game, allowing Troy to kick a 57-yard field as time expired before halftime to make it a 31-17 game.
Troy scored on their opening possession of the second half, marching 75-yards down the field before running back Jarris Williams punched it in for the score, cutting the Bobcats lead down to 31-24.
The Trojans then kicked the onside kick, recovering the ball at their own 41.
Despite the Trojans moving to inside Bobcat territory, sacks by Treylin Payne and Tymere Jackson forced Troy to kick a 47-yard field goal, making it a 31-27 game.
On the Bobcats first possession of the second half, Burrell broke free for a 40-yard run to put the Bobcats inside the 10-yard line before Pare scored his third rushing touchdown of the night on the three-yard run, giving Texas State a 3827 lead.
Troy answered back with another touchdown drive as Kilcrease hit Trae Swartz on the two-yard touchdown pass after the Trojans converted on fourth down twice during the drive.
The Bobcats chewed up the clock on their next possession, going on a 16-play 66-yard drive lasting over eight minutes before Robles kicked a 37-yard field goal to put Texas State up 41-33.
Troy answered again, scoring on a 18-yard touchdown pass with just 1:13 left in the game.
The Bobcats had a chance to win the game late as Jackson hit Chris Dawn Jr. for a 33-yard pass to put Texas State at the 24-yard line. But the Bobcats missed the field goal to send the game into overtime.
Troy scored on their first possession of overtime, scoring on a sixyard touchdown pass to go up 48-41.
Texas State looked to answer back on their possession of overtime but were stuffed short on fourth down.
The Bobcats will look to snap their two-game losing skid on the road as Texas State battles the Marshall Thundering Herd in the first ever meeting between the two teams.
Kickoff is set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Quarterback Brad Jackson dives for the first down in the Bobcats homecoming game against Troy. Jackson finished the game with 248 passing yards while rushing for 77 yards and one touchdown. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
The Bobcats broke out their special Southwest Texas throwbacks for the annual homecoming game. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
