TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State was unable to overcome a slow start, as the Bobcats fell to the Old Dominion Monarchs 24-14.
The Bobcats and Head Coach G.J. Kinne fell to 4-3 overall and now head into the bye week in preparation for their Tuesday night game against Louisiana.
“Yeah, that’s really tough,” Kinne said. “We just didn’t play well or coach well enough to beat a good team at home on homecoming. We just couldn’t ever gain the momentum and go get the job done. It hurts - and I’m sick about it but all we can do now is go back to work. We have a really good opponent at home in Louisiana, so we have to regroup and go to work.”
Disaster struck for the Bobcats on the second drive of the game when the Monarchs intercepted the pass and returned it back to the Texas State 18-yard line.
ODU quarterback Colton Joseph captilized on the turnover, scoring a seven-yard touchdown to go up 7-0.
Joseph struck again for the Monarchs in the second quarter, running for a 11-yard touchdown to extend the lead at 14-0.
The first half for the Bobcat offense was lackluster with Texas State punting on four of the six possessions. The Bobcats crossed the 50-yard line only once along with their longest drive being for 33-yards.
Wide Receiver Chris Dawn Jr attempts to make the catch against the ODU defender. Photo submitted by Texas State Athletics
Texas State found a little offensive momentum on their second drive of the second half. With the ball on their own 48-yard line, the Bobcats made their longest run of the game before quarterback Jordan McCloud scored from seven-yards out, cutting the lead down to 14-7.
The Bobcat defense forced the fumble on the Monarchs next possession, and Texas State took over at mid-field.
But Texas State couldn’t take advantage of the turnover and missed a 34yard field goal attempt, as the ball bounced off the field goal post.
The Bobcat defense held their own on the next possesion and forced a punt, allowing the offense to come back on the field going into the fourth quarter.
The drive stalled out on the Monarch 36-yard line before the Bobcats missed another field goal, this time from 53-yards out as ODU maintained their lead.
The Monarchs captialized on the missed field goal attempt by hitting a 32-yard field goal to extend their lead 17-7.
Needing a score, Texas State made a final attempt to cut the lead down and give themselves a chance for a comeback.
The Bobcats drove down the field to the ODU 24-yard line but faced fourth down. Texas State converted on fourth down, as McCloud found wide receiver Beau Sparks for the 24-yard pass and cut the lead down to 1714.
The Bobcat defense tried to stop the Monarch offense from sealing the game but couldn’t hold on.
ODU converted on fourth down with minutes remaining before Joseph scored on a 28-yard touchdown run to seal the game.
Running back Ismail Mahdi was the lone spark for the Bobcat offense, rushing for 139 yards on 25 carries.
Texas State will be back home next Tuesday in a showdown against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns that will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
[email protected] Twitter: @ColtonBMc
Texas State will return home next Tuesday to battle the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
