TXST FOOTBALL
Texas State was back on the field this week, looking to regroup after a tough conference loss to Old Dominion on Saturday.
The Bobcats and Head Coach G.J. Kinne prepare for a unique game-week as Texas State will host Louisiana in a rare Tuesday night game for the first time since 2014.
“It was a good practice today,” Kinne said. “Obviously, it is a unique week playing on a Tuesday, so you have to adjust your schedule. The detail and the focus was there. They know we have a lot to play for. The team that is coming in here is probably the best team we have played all season.”
The Bobcats are coming off a 24-14 loss to Old Dominion, as Texas State falls a game behind both Louisiana and Louisiana-Monroe in the Sun Belt West Division standings.
Though the defeat was a setback, Special Teams Coordinator Daniel Da Prato noted that the team is hungry to bounce back and prove the loss was a fluke.
“All losses are tough no matter if it was by 50 or by one,” Da Prato said. “The kids are hungry, and they are disappointed. We went out there and didn’t get the job done. There is no other way to look at it. There was a task to be handled, and we didn’t do it. [I] give a lot of credit to [ODU]. They played a great game and beat us.”
Kinne echoed Da Prato’s sentiment while noting the team still has both the confidence and the belief.
“You are obviously disappointed,” Kinne said. “When you go on the road, you have to play great [and] outplay the other team, and we didn’t get the job done. [The players] are disappointed and disappointed in themselves. The confidence and the belief is still there, but you have to go out there and prove it every week.”
Despite the loss, Kinne noted that the team is refocused for the Cajuns in a game that will determine the frontrunner in the Sun Belt West Division.
“You beat two good teams in conference, and you let one slip away on the other side,” Kinne said. “We have a lot to play for this week, and that is where the mindset has shifted too. From being disappointed [and] upset to having one of the biggest games of the year at home. That is where the mindset of the team is right now.”
The defeat to the Monarchs was highlighted by the lack of offense for the Bobcats. Texas State was shutout in the first half and mustered only 14 points, a stark contrast from the team’s 38.2 points per game average.
For Kinne, many of the offensive problems came down to a lack of execution and not making enough plays in critical moments.
“We just have to make some plays,” Kinne said. “Players, coaches – myself included – Coach Leftwich and the offensive staff, we have to do a better job. The players have to go out there, execute and make the plays. When the plays are there, you have to make them and that was the first time all year that hasn’t happened as much as we are accustomed to in our standards.”
Kinne took full responsibility and noted the need to both coach and play better against a Louisiana defense that is holding opposing offenses to just 22.8 points per game.
“It’s a group effort,” Kinne said. “On offense, we talk about execution and feelings of emotion. We weren’t able to execute enough times to go out there and score touchdowns. When we are in the red zone, you have to score touchdowns and when you kick field goals, you have to execute that as well. It was a team effort. We have to play and coach better as a unit.”
With just five games remaining in the schedule and the hopes of competing for a conference title hanging in the grasps, it’s do or die for the Bobcats.
“Every game is super important from here on out,” Kinne said. “This is a conference game in the west. That adds to the level of importance towards the end of the year. It’s a big game, and we are excited about it. Everyone is going to be fired up and ready to go.
“It was a heck of a game last year at their place and one that felt like we let slip away from us. Give them a lot of credit. It is a good team with a lot of great coaches.”
Texas State will host Louisiana Tuesday night at UFCU Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
Texas State will look for their first win against Louisiana come Tuesday. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
