Texas State Bobcats Lose to ULM Warhawks 40-34

By Russell Ramsey
Sports Reporter

The Bobcats struggled once again in their second Sun Belt Conference game, falling 40-34 to the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks Saturday night to fall to a 2-4 record.

The Bobcats started in similar fashion as last week against Georgia State, scoring 14 points in an intense first quarter. The Bobcats rushed for 91 yards in that first quarter, with Stedman Mayberry and Tyler Jones both finding the end zone on the ground. At the end of the first quarter, the Bobcats lead 14-10 but it would not hold.

The second quarter began the unraveling of the game for the Bobcats. ULM quarterback Garret Smith went down and in came in freshman Will Collins, who led the Warhawks to 23 unanswered points in the second quarter. He threw two touchdowns and on another drive, scrambled to the one-yard line, leading to a Ben Luckett touchdown run.

The second half started the same offensively with another three-and-out, but the defensive had a shining moment as Stan Kanu returned Collins’ pass 53 yards for a touchdown. This was the first interception returned for a touchdown by the Bobcats since the 2014 season.

The Bobcats gave up another third quarter touchdown run to Duke Carter IV, but the Kanu interception return gave the Bobcats new life. Following a second Carter IV touchdown run, Damani Alexcee got in on the scoring, returning a fumble for 50 yards, giving the Bobcats two defensive touchdowns of over 50 yards in this game

Jones finished the game with 193 passing yards and one touchdown rushing, but also had two interceptions and one fumble lost. Mayberry finished with 87 yards and one touchdown. Gabe Schrade lead all receivers with 62 yards on four catches.

Defensively, Jordan Mittie recorded a sack, Alexcee returned a fumble for a touchdown and Kanu returned an interception for a touchdown.

The Bobcats return home next Saturday for Homecoming to play the University of Louisiana Lafayette at 6:00 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium.

Featured image by Madison Tyson.