Texas State Falls to Louisiana in Finale

A disappointing season ended in a disappointing Senior Day send-off as the Texas State Bobcats (4-8, 2-6) fell to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (6-6, 4-4) by a score of 41-to-13.  The only unanswered question to the season was would Texas State head coach Jake Spavital return for the final year of his five-year contract. 

Spavital, clearly un-settled in the post-game press conference, tried to put a positive spin on the lopsided loss. 

“I thought that it was kind of even in time of possession, third down conversions and any kind of yardage and everything else,” he said.  “But what it came down to was we had some turnovers at some unique times.” 

Turnover and penalties were some, but not all, of the challenges facing the Bobcats. 

While each team has an interception, and Texas State had one fumble (lost), each of the Bobcats turnovers either interrupted scoring drives or handed the Ragin’ Cajuns a scoring opportunity.  

Texas State played a clean game by way of penalties (4-for-35 yards), but two key penalties also extended Louisiana drives. 

Texas State only reached the red-zone only twice, settling for field goals each time.  The Bobcat’s lone touchdown came on a 64-yard carry by Lincoln Pare.  Pare also broke lose for a 56-yard carry in the first half for an impressive total 221 rushing yards, the bulk of Texas State’s ground attack. 

Texas State’s aerial attack was anemic.  Quarterback Layne Hatcher went 13-for- 27 for 133 yards.  Hatcher was sacked twice. 

Louisiana played like a team fighting to reach bowl eligibility, putting up 271 yards in the air (21-for-32) and 165 yards on the ground (36 carries).  They seemingly scored with ease. 

“If you look at where we’ve been from 2019, and what we inherited, and where we are now, we are finally a program that can compete,” said Spavital, in tones of a farewell address.    “These guys, they compete at a high level, they believe that they can win.” 

When asked if he would return next year, Spavital replied, “Those are out of my control.  I haven’t been told anything.  What I do is show up, and just worry about what I can do.  I always talk about one play at a time, one day at a time.  That’s the approach that I have.”

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