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Texas State clinched their first ever road win against South Alabama, beating the Jaguars 45-38 in an offensive shootout.
The Bobcats clinched back to back seven or more win seasons for the first time since 2008-2009. Texas State also finished the game with 530 yards of offense including 282 yards rushing.
"Just a huge win, on the road,” Head Coach G.J. Kinne said. “That's a culture win right there, that's who wanted it more, a lot of adversity and a lot of back and forth and we were able to come out on top. So just super proud of the boys. We gotta be the best 7-5 team in the country.
“A lot to reflect on, a lot to get better at. But you know two years in a row, with a winning record is a big deal around here. We're going to enjoy all of the wins, it wasn't pretty but we're gonna enjoy all of them."
The Bobcats struck first after quarterback Jordan McCloud hit Kole Wilson for a 45-yard pass to put the ball on the nine-yard yard. On the next play, Mcloud scored his seventh rushing touchdown of the year, putting Texas State up 7-0 following an extra point kick from Mason Shipley.
South Alabama responded with a touchdown of their own when running back Fluff Bothwell broke free for a 51-yard rushing touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
Disaster struck for the Bobcats on their next possession. Facing third down, Texas State passed the ball only for the Jaguars to pick it off and return back for a 33-yard touchdown.
Texas State looked to answer back now trailing 14-7.
The Bobcats drove down the 11-yard line before quarterback Brad Jackson scored to tie the game back up at 14-14.
The Bobcat defense responded in kind by forcing the South Alabama offense to go three and out on their second offensive drive of the game with Texas State taking over at their own 27-yard line.
Texas State used the combined rushing attack of Lincoln Pare and Ismail Mahdi to drive inside the 20-yard line.
McCloud later hit wide receiver Joey Hobert on a 11-yard pass to put the Bobcats on the three-yard line before the end of the first quarter.
However, South Alabama ended the scoring threat with an interception in the endzone.
The Bobcat defense bailed out the offense following the turnover, forcing another three and out as South Alabama punted.
The Texas State offense responded by adding six points on the scoreboard. Mahdi broke free for a 33-yard touchdown, retaking the lead at 21-14.
South Alabama found their groove on the next offensive drive, going down to the Bobcat 17-yard line before Jaguar quarterback Gio Lopez hit Jamaal Pritchett for the passing touchdown to tie the game at 21-21.
The Bobcats were unable to get anything going on offense and were hurt by two penalties. Texas State was forced to punt deep in their own territory only for the ball to be downed at their own 25 yard line.
The Jaguars took advantage as Lopez scored from eight-yards out, retaking the lead for South Alabama 28-21.
Following consecutive punts, Texas State looked to score with the ball on the Jaguar 47-yard line with just 45 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Bobcats crossed inside the 20-yard but were unable to score any points before time expired to keep the score at 28-21.
On the opening possession of the second half, the Bobcat defense forced the three and out as Texas State took over at their own 35-yard.
South Alabama looked to extend their lead after forcing the punt but the Bobcats came up with the turnover as Darius Jackson picked off the pass.
Driving down the one yard line, Pare scored on the diving touchdown, tying the game at 28-28.
The Bobcat defense forced another turnover as defensive lineman Tavion Coleman forced the fumble, allowing defensive lineman Terry Webb to recover the ball on the South Alabama 29-yard line.
Despite the penalty pushing the Bobcats back, Texas State was able to retake the lead on the 32-yard field goal from Shipley at 31-28.
But the Jaguars retook the lead on a 29-yard touchdown run from Bothwell, taking back the lead at 35-31.
Texas State answered back. Despite having the ball on their own 10-yard line, the Bobcats drove 90-yards before McCloud hit Hobert on the 18-yard touchdown pass, putting Texas State back up 38-35.
South Alabama looked to answer back and drove down to the Bobcat 40-yard line. However the Bobcats came up with their third turnover of the game. Mannie Nunnery intercepted the pass and returned back 60-yards for the touchdown, extending the Texas State lead to 45-35.
South Alabama on their next offensive drive drove down to inside the Bobcat 10-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
But the Bobcat defense kept the Jaguars from reaching the endzone as South Alabama kicked the 21-yard field goal, cutting the lead down to 45-38.
The Bobcats recovered the onside kick and later converted the first down on a seven yard run to seal the game.
Mahdi finished the game with a team high 147 yards rushing on 20 carries and one touchdown followed by Pare with 26 carries for 96 yards and one touchdown.
Despite the two interceptions, McCloud finished the season with 248 yards passing, one touchdown and rushed for 27-yards and one touchdown.
Texas State will learn their postseason fate next Sunday.
