TXST FOOTBALL
After starting 3-1, Texas State has dropped two heartbreakers in a row — both decided in the final moments — and now looks to regain its footing against Marshall.”
First, a missed extra point, followed by a touchdown drive lasting less than a minute, gave Arkansas State a 31-30 victory over the Bobcats. A week later, it was an overtime loss to Troy that erased a 28-3 first-quarter lead as well as a missed game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. The Bobcats will be trying to stay focused amid pressure and outside noise in an attempt to get back on track after a promising start to the season.
In front of the Bobcats is the Marshall Thundering Herd, which is also 3-3 on the season. They, too, have suffered tough losses this season with a one-point loss to Missouri State 21-20 as well as a 54-51 loss to Louisiana two weeks ago.
Last week, The Herd got back on the right side of things with a 48-24 win over Old Dominion.
Marshall is 1-1 in Sun Belt play compared to Texas State, which is 0-2.
After starting the season 0-2, including a 45-7 loss to No. 5 Georgia, Marshall’s offense has blossomed. The team averaged 34.3 points per game on the season, but that has risen to nearly 45 points per game over the last four games in which the team has three victories.
While that production includes a powerful running game, the increased proficiency comes from creating a balanced attack with a much improved passing game.
The Herd didn’t throw a touchdown pass in the first two games of the season but have averaged three a game over the last three contests.
The powerful rushing attack is averaging 197.8 yards on the ground per game and 4.4 yards per rush. The Herd are averaging 177.8 yards passing per game, but that has increased to 247 yards per game over the last three contests.
Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson leads Marshall with 171.2 yards passing per game on 76.4% completion rate. He has 11 touchdowns and no interceptions on the season. Del Rio-Wilson is also second on the team in rushing with 259 yards on the ground and a teamleading four touchdowns across the five games he has played.
Michael Allen is the team’s leading rusher with 310 yards on the season averaging 5.3 yards per play and three touchdowns. However, the team has a total of eight players who have received double-digit carries this year.
The 6-foot Demarcus Lacey leads the team in receiving with 396 yards and four touchdowns on the season. He is also a dangerous punt returner averaging 15 yards per return. Tight end Toby Payne is second on the team with 15 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
The Marshall defense is allowing 29.8 points per game on the season including 248.3 yards passing per game and 141.2 yards rushing per game. They have eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries but have only given away four turnovers total on offense all season.
Linebacker Kerion Martin leads the team in total tackles with 38. He is also tied for third on the team in sacks with 1.5.
Defensive back Boogie Trotter had four of the team’s eight interceptions, including one that was returned 60 yards for a touchdown. He also has one of the teams three fumble recoveries making him responsible for more than half of the teams total turnovers. Cam Smith is a force coming from deep in the secondary to be second on the team in tackles with 30 as well as second on the team in sacks with two. Defensive back Darrell Sweeting is also considered one of the top players on the team.
Along the defensive line, Jamaal Whyce Jr. leads the way with 2.5 sacks on the season at six-feet, four-inches tall and 300 pounds.
Other strong contributors include linebacker Javae Gilmore, with 26 tackles and linebacker Jibreel Al-Amin with 24 tackles.
The game will be played in Huntington, West Virginia at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. It can be streamed on ESPN+.
Texas State is looking for their first win over a Sun Belt East Division team on the road since 2018 against Georgia State. The Bobcats have lost their last nine games on the road to Sun Belt East Division teams. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
