Texas State Goes Bowling with South Alabama Win

The Texas State University Bobcats punched their ticket to a post-season bowl game with a decisive 52-to-44 win over the University of South Alabama (USA) Jaguars.  The Bobcats improve their record to 7-5 on the season and are guaranteed a spot in one of the 42 bowl games. 

The Bobcat earned the win with a total team effort, scoring touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams.  The team last recorded the feat in 2012. 

Texas State’s first touchdown came on a defensive fumble recovery by Kaleb Culp, taking the ball into the end zone from 31 yards out.  Offensive touchdowns in the air from TJ Finley to Ashtyn Hawkins, and on the ground by Jahmyl Jeter gave the Bobcats a 21-to-0 lead.  Mason Shipley’s field goal from 28 yards out capped a 24-point first quarter. 

USA earned their first points early in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Carter Bradley to Javon Ivory.  The extra point attempt failed.  The ensuing kickoff was returned by Kole Wilson 100 yards for a touchdown. 

The Jaguars regained their composure, starting with 51-yard field goal and a 12-play, 91-yard touchdown drive and two-point conversion with seconds left in the first half. 

USA replaced starting quarterback Carter Bradley with Desmond Trotter just 30 seconds into the third quarter.  The quarter saw both teams exchange touchdowns, making the score 38-to-24 in favor of Texas State. 

The final frame was a nail-biter with a total of 34 points being scored.  The teams went tit-for-tat, exchanging touchdown and bringing the score to 52-to-44.  USA’s final score came with 1:02 remaining on the clock.  The Jaguar’s on-side kick failed and Texas State road out the clock for the seventh victory of the season.   

Texas State was led offensively by quarterback TJ Finley, completing 19 of 28 passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.  Finley’s favorite targets were Ashtyn Hawkins (five receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown) and Kole Wilson (six receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown). 

Ismail Mahdi ground-out 97 yards on 23 carriers with a touchdown.  Donerio Davenport had 35 yards on six touches. 

Texas State joined the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) when it moved to the Sun Belt Conference in 2013.  The Bobcat were bowl eligible in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, but were not selected. They are guaranteed a bowl game this season because of the number of team with seven wins or more on the season.