Bobcats Fall to Explosive Red Wolves in Jonesboro

By Jude McClaren
Assistant Sports Director

The Texas State football team took a tough loss to Arkansas State Saturday night 38-14 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The Bobcats came into the matchup looking to get their second win in Sun Belt Conference play, and spoil homecoming for the Red Wolves.

With season-long starter Gresch Jensen out at quarterback due to a concussion, Tyler Vitt started the game for the ‘Cats.

The Bobcats were able to live up to Head Coach Jake Spavital’s philosophy of complementary football in the first half despite a 17-0 deficit, but were unable to do so in the second.

The Bobcats got off to a hot start, with running back Caleb Twyford busting open a 60 yard run in their first possession of the game. Unfortunately for the Maroon and Gold, that drive ended in a 4th down goal line stop by the Arkansas State defense.

The ‘Cats weren’t able to get anything going offensively until midway through the second quarter when Vitt threw a 34 yard strike to Jeremiah Haydel to set up a two-yard touchdown run from Twyford.

The Bobcat defense was then able to get a crucial stop against Layne Hatcher and the Red Wolves offense, which allowed the ‘Cats to drive down the field and score on a six yard touchdown pass from Vitt to Hutch White.

After the game went into halftime with a close 17-14 score, the rest of the game was all Arkansas State.

Alabama transfer quarterback Layne Hatcher threw two scores to FBS receiving touchdown leader Omar Bayless, while last year’s Sun Belt freshman of the year Marcel Murray dominated on the ground with 115 yards and two touchdowns throughout the day.

The Red Wolves scored three times in the second half, and intercepted Vitt twice in the second half to control the rest of the game.

This matchup moved Texas State to a 1-2 record in conference play, and 2-5 on the season.

The Bobcats will prepare to take on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns next Saturday at 4 p.m. in Lafayette, Louisiana at Cajun Field. The Cajuns are 5-2 this season and are tied for first place in the Sun Belt west with their only losses coming to SEC opponent Mississippi State, and the 20th ranked, 7-0 Appalachian State Mountaineers.

If you can’t make the trip down to Louisiana, you can tune into KTSW 89.9 at 3:30 p.m. for pregame coverage and kickoff at 4 p.m. sharp. You can also follow @KTSWSports on Twitter for coverage of the ‘Cats all season long.

Featured image courtesy of Texas State Athletics.