Bad First Half and Late Mistakes Cost Bobcats Versus UTSA

By Nicholas Brady
Sports Reporter

This past Saturday, the Texas State Bobcats fell 51-48 to the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners in the I-35 rivalry in double overtime.

Quarterback Tyler Vitt started his first game of the 2020 season after starting Quarterback Brady McBride was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocol.

The Bobcats started fast, scoring on the third play of the game when Vitt connected with running back Brock Sturges in the flat and Sturges took it 66 yards for the opening touchdown.

UTSA answered with a two-play, 75-yard touchdown drive of their own.

The Roadrunners went on to add two more touchdowns and a field goal to take a 24-7 lead into the half.

Texas State struggled to stop the UTSA rushing attack of quarterback Frank Harris and running back Sincere McCormick.

McCormick finished with 197 rushing yards and a touchdown. Harris added 51 rushing yards of his own and three touchdowns on the ground.

The Roadrunners offense finished the game with 499 yards of total offense. Of those 499 yards, 330 of them came on the ground.

Texas State’s offense found their rhythm in the second half with Vitt throwing for two touchdowns. Running backs Calvin Hill and Brock Sturges each added a touchdown on the ground.

With less than two minutes remaining, the roadrunners led 41-35. The Bobcat defense forced a UTSA punt and wide receiver Jeremiah Haydel returned it 91 yards to tie the game. The Bobcats missed the extra point attempt to take the lead and the game went into overtime.

In the first overtime period, UTSA scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass. Texas State responded with a touchdown pass of their own from Vitt to Marcell Barbee.

The Bobcats opened the second overtime period on offense and were held to a field goal attempt, which they failed to convert.

On the following drive, UTSA converted on a 29-yard field goal attempt to secure the victory, their fourth straight over the Bobcats.

Texas State will continue to look for their first win of the season next Saturday, Sept. 19, when they head to Monroe, Louisiana to take on the Warhawks of the University of Louisiana Monroe to open conference play.

ULM is also in search of their first win of the season after falling to Army 37-7 to open the season.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPNU.

Featured image by Nathan Rarangol.