Bobcats Come Up Short on Homecoming Night

By Tyson Taylor

KTSW Sports Reporter

The Texas State Bobcats (5-2, 2-1) hosted the Troy Trojans (5-2, 2-1) on homecoming night, which resulted in a 31-13 loss for the Bobcats. 

Both teams came into this matchup with a record of (5-2, 2-1), needing one more win to clinch bowl eligibility. While the Troy Trojans made a bowl appearance last year, the Bobcats are still searching for their first bowl appearance in program history. Bowl eligibility wasn’t the only thing on the line this game. There was a three-way tie for first place in the West Division of the Sunbelt between Texas State, Troy, and South Alabama. Troy now has sole possession of first place in the west division as well as clinching bowl eligibility.  

The Troy Trojans won the coin toss and elected to begin the game on defense. The Bobcats started the game with guns blazing and scored on the opening drive with a 28-yard touchdown completion to Ashtyn Hawkins. The Bobcats and Trojans would then trade possessions back and forth during the first quarter, but neither team could capitalize off of opportunities. The defense for both teams played a big part in the first half, as both sides struggled to find the red zone.  

Heading into the 2nd quarter, The Trojans were driving and had momentum swinging in their direction. The Trojans found themselves opening the 2nd quarter with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by their QB Gunnar Watson. Similar to the 1st Quarter, the defense would continue to make it hard for either offense to get anything going offensively. With two minutes left in the first half, the Bobcats drove the length of the field but failed to get in the endzone. Bobcat Kicker Mason Shipley successfully converted on a 21-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 10-7 lead heading into halftime. 

The Troy Trojans opened the second half on offense and did not waste any time getting in the endzone. Two minutes into the second half, Gunnar Watson connected with Jabre Barber through the air for a Trojan touchdown to take the lead 14-10. Bobcats would follow up the Trojans touchdown with a field goal of their own to make it a one-point ballgame. The score heading into the final quarter was 13-14.  

The tension between both squads heading into the fourth quarter was felt by everyone in Bobcat stadium. The Trojans began the quarter in Bobcat territory and were able to quickly put seven on the board. Gunnar Watson connected with Deshon Stoudemire on a 14-yard touchdown to make the game 21-13. Bobcats could not get anything going offensively in the fourth quarter, and this led to the Trojans reaching the endzone on back-to-back possessions. This time, Gunnar Watson found Landon Parker in the endzone for a four-yard touchdown. The Trojans managed to score once more on a field goal minutes before the final buzzer rang. The Troy Trojans walked out of this game victorious with a 31-13 win over the Texas State Bobcats.  

Texas State Head Coach GJ Kinne had a few words to say following the tough loss.  

“Redzone offense and turnovers have kind of been the story when we’ve lost,” said Kinne. “We got to flush it, and just move on to the next one.”  

Texas State’s next matchup will be next week at home against Georgia Southern on Saturday, Nov. 4th @ 6 p.m.