Week 7 Football Recap: Winning Ugly is Still Winning

Winning ugly. That’s how Head coach Dennis Franchione described it.

Franchione: “I think we’re going to have to win ugly: win with defense and win ugly right now as we grow offensively.” #TXST

— Tyler Mayforth (@smdrtyler) October 20, 2013

The Bobcats got back to Franchione’s bread and butter running attack Saturday night as they captured their first Sun Belt victory in a 24-17 slug-fest vs Georgia State.

After last week’s performance Coach Franchione made it a priority to give quarterback Tyler Jones a more comfortable game-plan to ease into. Jones struggling with the passing game last week resulted in Texas State only attempting 11 passes this week but they didn’t need to with the performance of the running game.

Jones, Chris Nutall, and Robert Lowe combined for 301 rushing yards allowing Texas State to control both the tempo and the flow of the game Saturday night.

To put things into national perspective, Chris Nutall ranks 37th in the nation in yards per carry (6.4) and Robert Lowe is right behind him at 38th (6.4).

Defensively, Texas State’s priority wasn’t all that different from the rest of the year: Shut down the run, and don’t get beat deep in the passing game. Georgia State wide receiver Albert Wilson was expected to be targeted all game and although he had 9 catches for 93 yards, Texas State’s secondary kept him from reaching the end-zone.

With the win the Bobcats move to 6th place in the Sun Belt.

Next week Texas State looks to get their second conference win and continue to move up the Sun Belt ranks as it invites the South Alabama Jaguars for homecoming in San Marcos.