The Bobcats lost their fifth straight game as their comeback attempt fell short, losing to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 42-39.
The game was later marred in controversy as two separate fights after the game led to law enforcement involvement. Texas State President Kelly Damphousee later release a statement.
“Immediately following tonight’s football game vs UL, there were confrontations between the two teams in two separate incidents on and off the field,” Damphousse said. “I am grateful for the law enforcement officers who responded and for those who provided security for coaches and players. TXST AD Don Coryell and I have been in communication with the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill, UL President Jaime Hebert and UL AD Dr. Bryan Maggard about the incidents. We will have no further comment until we have the opportunity to review the video and collect more information.”
Texas State falls to 3-6 for the season while the Cajuns improve to 4-6.
The Bobcats fell behind early after the Cajuns scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lunch Winfield to Shelton Sampson Jr. as Texas State trailed 7-0.
After a 25-yard field from Bobcat kicker Tyler Robles, Texas State took the lead as senior running back Lincoln Pare scored on a 54-yard touchdown run to put the Bobcats up 10-7.
In the second quarter, the Cajuns scored 21 unanswered points, capitalizing on two Bobcat turnovers to take a commanding 28-10 lead.
Despite the Bobcats responding with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brad Jackson to Titus Lyons with less than five minutes remaining in the first half, Louisiana scored on another touchdown with just 21 seconds remaining before halftime to take a commanding 35-17 lead.
Robles added his second field goal of the game, making a 24-yard kick, to cut the lead down 35-20.
But the Cajuns added another touchdown in the fourth quarter with a three-yard touchdown from Winfield to lead 4220.
After the Cajun touchdown, the Bobcats began to make their comeback.
Junior wide receiver Beau Sparks gave Texas State life, scoring on a reverse end around, rushing for a 49-yard score. After a failed two-point conversion, Texas State trailed 42-26.
Senior linebacker Michael Boudoin III made the interception for the Bobcats on the Cajuns next drive as Texas State took over at the Cajuns 38-yard line.
On the next play, the Bobcats completed a reverse pass with Jackson handing the ball off to Pare before running threw a lateral pass behind the line scrimmage to the freshman quarterback. Jackson then found Sparks in the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
After another failed two-point conversion, Texas State trailed 42-32.
The Bobcat defense forced a three-and-out as Texas State got the ball back at their own 35-yard line.
The Bobcats scored again as Jackson found Chris Dawn Jr. for a 21yard touchdown pass. Following the extra point kick, Texas State trailed 42-39.
However, the Bobcat defense was unable to get the final stop. The Cajuns converted third down on their own 17-yard line before sealing the game with a fourth down conversion with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
Texas State will need to win their last three games of the regular season in order to stay bowl eligible. The Bobcats will go on the road to Southern Miss to battle the Golden Eagles. Southern Miss is coming off a 27-21 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves and currently lead the Sun Belt West Division.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
