COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

Bobcats host Jackson State in home opener

The Countdown to Kickoff is back on the road with the Bobcats for the 2023 season.

This week takes a look at the Texas State home opener as the Bobcats host the Jackson State Tigers in the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Jackson State is considered to be one of the more prominent Historical Black College and University football programs at the FCS level.

Winners of 18 conference championships, 4 HBCU national championships, as well as four football alumni currently enshrine in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jackson State is a force to be reckon with.

But despite their historical success, the Tigers entered the national spotlight in recent years when Jackson State hired Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders to be the new coach.

After leading the Tigers to two conference championships in a span of three years, Sanders accepted the job at Colorado this offseason.

Heading into their showdown with the Bobcats, Jackson State is very much a different team compared to last year as 24 Jackson State players opted to follow Sanders to Colorado.

The Tigers will also be under a new head coach. T.C. Taylor accepted the job at Jackson State after being the offensive coordinator for the past three years.

Though Jackson State is going through a major transition, the Tigers should be game ready come September 16 having played games against South Carolina State, Florida A&M and Southern.

Texas State’s record against Football Championship Subdivision opponents has been positive, holding a record of 10-1 against FCS teams.

The Bobcats lone blemish came in 2021 when Texas State lost Incarnate Word 42-34 in front of a stunned crowd at Bobcat Stadium.

Texas State will also look to turn around their misfortunes in home openers at Bobcat Stadium with the Bobcats going 1-3 in the last four opening home games.

coltonbmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc