TXST FOOTBALL
It all comes down to the final regular season game for the Bobcats in their showdown against the South Alabama Jaguars.
The stakes are simple yet high. A win means gaining bowl eligibility, jumping into the San Marcos River and playing one more game in December. A loss means the Bobcats’ season and tenure in the Sun Belt Conference end with a thud.
After dropping five straight games, four of which came within one possession, Texas State has rebounded to win back-to-back games, improving to 5-6 for the year and keeping their hopes of playing for a bowl game alive for at least one more week.
The key to the Bobcats’ turnaround has been the improved play from the defense in their last two games. Allowing over 40 points in their previous four games and over 30 in seven of their previous eight games, the Bobcat defense allowed no more than 14 points against both Southern Miss and Louisiana Monroe.
South Alabama enters the game with a 4-7 overall, having won their last two games against both Louisiana Monroe and Southern Miss.
The Jaguar offense is led by quarterback Bishop Davenport who has passed for 1,977 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 296 yards and nine touchdowns.
Davenport’s main wide receiver has been Devin Voisin with 60 catches for 724 yards and four touchdowns. Second in receiving is wide receiver Jermey Scott with 22 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
In the ground game, the Jaguars are led by running back Kentrel Bullock with 203 carries for 1,001 yards and 13 touchdowns.
On offense, the Jaguars average 26.5 points through both 11 games and conference play. The Bobcat offense has averaged 34.9 points per game through 11 games and 34.1 points per game in conference play.
Defensively, the Jaguars are led by linebacker Blayne Myrick who leads the team with 73 total tackles along with 30 solo tackles. Linebacker Darius McKenzie is second in total tackles 71 total tackles and leads the team in solo tackles with 31.
South Alabama has made six interceptions as a team and forced six fumbles.
The Jaguar defense has allowed an average of 28.7 points through 11 games and 26.5 points through conference play. Texas State has allowed 34.9 points through 11 games and 34.1 points through conference play.
The series history between Texas State and South Alabama dates back to 2013 when the Bobcats joined the Sun Belt while the Jaguars were in their second season in the conference as a football playing member.
The first ever game played between the Bobcats and the Jaguars took place during the 2013 season when Texas State hosted South Alabama. The game ended in thrilling fashion with Jason Dean kicking the game-winning 41-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the game to seal a 33-31 win.
The Jaguars returned the favor the next season when South Alabama defeated Texas State 24-20 after stopping the Bobcats on the USA fouryard line with just five seconds left in the game. The loss proved to be critical to the Bobcats bowl chances that season when Texas State finished the season at 7-5 but were unable to secure a bowl game invitation. South Alabama, who finished the season at 6-6, was invited to play in the Camellia Bowl.
Texas State got their revenge the next year in 2015 with a 36-18 win over the Jaguars.
The series went on hiatus the next season before both Texas State and South Alabama were placed in the Sun Belt West Division in 2018 where both teams have played ever since.
The series became defined by the strength of the home team before the 2024 season despite the record of either opponent. South Alabama won their home meetings in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2022 while Texas State won their home meetings in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
The streak of the home opponent ended in 2024 with Texas State defeating South Alabama 4538 as the Bobcats churned up over 500 yards of offense against the Jaguars.
Texas State leads the all-time series against South Alabama 6-4.
Kickoff for Texas State and South Alabama is set for 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 29 at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
The Bobcats look to win their sixth game of the season and clinch bowl eligibility when Texas State hosts South Alabama. Both the Bobcats and the Jaguars enter the game on two-game winning streaks. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
