Texas State Football Defeats Nicholls in Battle for the Paddle

Brett Biermann

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas- The Texas State Bobcats football team defeats the Nicholls State Colonels 35-3 in front of 31,500 fans at home to keep the paddle trophy in San Marcos. 

Coming off a devastating loss against Arizona State last week, the Bobcats hoped to flip their momentum going against Nicholls.  

Freshman Quarterback Brad Jackson opened the scoring with a nine-yard run for the touchdown.  

Nichols responded with a long drive that would end in a field goal and make the game 7-3.  

In the second quarter, the offense found their rhythm. Jackson found the endzone again for his second rushing touchdown of the night and make the score 14-3.  

Senior Running Back Torrance Burgess Jr. capped off a 92-yard drive with a seven-yard rushing touchdown putting the Bobcats up 21-3. 

Senior Running Back Lincoln Pare would finish the scoring for the half with a 9-yard rushing touchdown making it 28-3 at halftime.  

The defense got their first interception of the season in the second quarter from junior Khamari Terrell. 

The Bobcats would find the endzone one more time in the third quarter on a 5-yard rush by Greg Burrell to make the score and the final 35-3.  

The offense finished the night with 401 total yards and all five touchdowns on the ground.  

The defense remained stout after allowing an early field goal and allowing 224 yards against the Colonels offense.  

 Three running backs added their name to the scoresheet, but Head Coach GJ Kinne says there’s still a bunch to clean up.

“We’ll look at the film and get better, we want to run the football, and I thought we left some yards on the field,” said Kinne.

The importance of the rivalry between Texas State and Nicholls spoke differently to both Quarterback Brad Jackson and Coach GJ Kinne. 

“I googled the history of the rivalry after seeing it in my game notes and found the history interesting,” said Jackson.

Coach Kinne responded when asked where does the Battle for the Paddle win rank amongst his all-time coaching wins with “not very high.” 

Texas State will enjoy their bye week before starting Sun Belt Conference play at Arkansas State, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m.