TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State was back on the field this week following the Bobcats’ win over Troy, beating the Trojans for the first time since 1997 and the first time beating the Trojans in Troy.
Head Coach G.J. Kinne talked about how energized practice was during the week as the Bobcats prepared for a massive showdown with the rival Arkansas State Red Wolves.
“Our guys are fired up and we had a really good practice today,” Kinne said. “It was physical practice and we simulated a four-quarter situation. I’m excited for these guys. It’s going to be a great opportunity for them.”
A key to the Bobcats’ win over the Trojans was limiting the penalties, which Texas State had three for 35 yards compared to 11 penalties for 88 yards in the previous loss against Sam Houston.
Wide receiver Jaden Williams acknowledged how penalties have hurt the team and the need for the Bobcats to be able to move towards the next play, whether good or bad, while keeping emotions in check.
“That’s been the Achilles’ heel of our team,” Williams said. “We have to make a play then go on to the next play. [Even if ] we make a bad play, just go on to the next play. More so the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. We have to keep our emotions intact.”
One of the reasons for the success of limiting the penalties for Kinne is both the coaches and the players having a better understanding of each other.
“As coaches, every team is different,” Kinne said. “You are seeing that around college football. Every week is different in college football. From a head coach’s perspective and the psychology behind it, the first game of the season against Lamar, a lot of penalties. Against UTSA, you emphasize it and [penalties are] down. Arizona State is somewhere in the middle. Then you have a 17-day break and the penalties are up.”
As Kinne explained, a better understanding of the players and how to coach them has allowed the team to rebound from the tough loss against Sam Houston to now being in the driver seat for a Sun Belt West division title.
“For us as coaches, as much as we like to have fun and enjoy the process, we figured out that these guys cannot do that as much,” Kinne said. “We are starting to figure out who this team is. We are still going to have fun and fly around, but we have fun beating people. We have shown when we do not have a lot of penalties, we go out there and play really well.
“When we do, we have to be able to overcome it. Some of that is out of your control as far as that goes. I like where we are at. The coaches and players have done a really good job, and they understand who this team is.”
While Kinne acknowledges the Bobcats past history against Troy wasn’t a factor in Texas State’s gameplan, he also understood the significance of the win.
“We didn’t put much emphasis on that besides the fact we needed to get a win to start the conference off on the right note,” Kinne said. “We were able to do that, but obviously anytime you can have a victory like that over someone you haven’t beaten [in a long time is good]. There are some recruiting battles that go on with [Troy,] especially with the junior college kids, so that part is always good.”
Kickoff for Texas State-Arkansas State is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
