The Bobcats defeat South Alabama with a thrilling road win

Texas State picked up its first ever road win against South Alabama, defeating the Jaguars 45-38 in an offensive shootout.

For the first time since 2008-2009, the Bobcats posted seven or more consecutive season wins. Texas State also finished the game with 530 yards of offense, including 282 yards rushing.

“Just a huge away win,” said head coach GJ Kinne. “This is a cultural victory that wanted more, a lot of adversity and a lot of back and forth, and we were able to prevail.” Top. So just super proud of the boys. We have to be the best 7-5 team in the country.

“There is a lot to reflect on, a lot to improve. But you know, winning two years in a row is a big deal here. We will enjoy all the victories, it wasn’t pretty but we will enjoy them all.

The Bobcats struck first after quarterback Jordan McCloud hit Kole Wilson for a 45-yard pass to move the ball to the nine-yard box. On the next play, Mcloud scored his seventh rushing touchdown of the year, giving Texas State a 7-0 lead on a Mason Shipley extra-point kick.

South Alabama responded with a touchdown of its own when running back Fluff Bothwell broke free for a 51-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.

Disaster struck for the Bobcats on their next possession. On third down, Texas State passed the ball, but the Jaguars intercepted it and returned it for a 33-yard touchdown.

Texas State now looked to respond by trailing 14-7.

The Bobcats drove past the 11-yard line before quarterback Brad Jackson scored, tying the game again at 14-14.

The Bobcat defense responded accordingly, forcing the South Alabama offense into a three-and-out on its second offensive drive of the game, with Texas State taking over at its own 27-yard line.

Texas State used the combined rushing attack of Lincoln Pare and Ismail Mahdi to advance inside the 20-yard line.

McCloud later hit wide receiver Joey Hobert on an 11-yard pass to get the Bobcats to the three-yard line before the end of the first quarter.

However, South Alabama ended the scoring threat with an interception in the end zone.

The Bobcat defense bailed out the offense after the turnover and forced another three-and-out when South Alabama punted.

Texas State’s offense responded by adding six points to the scoreboard. Mahdi broke free for a 33-yard touchdown to retake the lead 21-14.

South Alabama found its groove on its next offensive attack, going all the way to the Bobcat 17-yard line before Jaguars quarterback Gio Lopez hit Jamaal Pritchett for the passing touchdown, tying the game at 21-21.

The Bobcats couldn’t get anything going on offense and were hurt by two penalties. Texas State was forced to punt deep into its own territory, but the ball was knocked down at its own 25-yard line.

The Jaguars took advantage when Lopez scored from eight yards out to retake the lead for South Alabama, 28-21.

After consecutive punts, Texas State looked to score with the ball on the Jaguar 47-yard line with just 45 seconds left before halftime.

The Bobcats crossed inside the 20-yard area but were unable to score before time expired, keeping the score at 28-21.

On the first possession of the second half, the Bobcat defense forced a three-pointer and Texas State took control of its own 35 yards.

South Alabama looked to increase its lead after forcing the punt, but the Bobcats created the turnover when Darius Jackson intercepted the pass.

As Pare drove down the one-yard line, he scored on the diving touchdown, tying the game at 28-28.

The Bobcat defense forced another turnover when defensive lineman Tavion Coleman forced the fumble, allowing defensive lineman Terry Webb to recover the ball at the South Alabama 29-yard line.

Although the Bobcats were forced back by the penalty, Texas State managed to regain the lead 31-28 on Shipley’s 32-yard field goal.

But the Jaguars regained the lead on a 29-yard touchdown run by Bothwell to take the lead 35-31.

Texas State answered back. Despite having the ball on their own 10-yard line, the Bobcats drove 90 yards before McCloud hit Hobert on the 18-yard touchdown pass, putting Texas State back in the lead 38-35.

South Alabama looked to answer and drove to the Bobcat 40-yard line. However, the Bobcats committed their third turnover of the game. Mannie Nunnery intercepted the pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, extending Texas State’s lead to 45-35.

South Alabama drove below the Bobcat 10-yard line on its next offensive drive with less than two minutes to play.

But the Bobcat defense kept the Jaguars from reaching the end zone as South Alabama kicked the 21-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 45-38.

The Bobcats recovered the onside kick and later converted the first down on a seven-yard run to seal the game.

Mahdi finished the game with a team-high 147 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, followed by Pare with 26 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Despite the two interceptions, McCloud finished the season with 248 passing yards and a touchdown, as well as rushing for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Texas State will learn its postseason fate next Sunday.