COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF

Texas State battles Troy in the conference opener

The Countdown to Kickoff Series takes a look at the upcoming 2024 season for the Texas State Bobcats.

This week’s article will preview the Bobcats Sun Belt Conference opener against the Troy Trojans.

The Trojans are coming off a successful 2023 season where Troy finished with an 11-3 record.

Troy won their second straight Sun Belt Championship, defeating App State and were invited to play in the Birmingham Bowl against the Duke Blue Devils.

After the season, Troy lost Head Coach Jon Summrall to Tulane where he took the majority of his staff with him.

Not only will the Trojans have to start the season with a new coaching staff, Troy will also have to replace several key starters from last year’s team including quarterback Gunnar Watson and running back Kimani Vidal.

Wide receiver Chris Lewis returns for the Trojans, having caught 32 passes for 735 yards and 10 touchdowns, a team high last season.

Jordan Stringer also returns for the Trojans on defense. Stringer made 68 total tackles with 32 solo. Stringer also had 1.5 sacks and one interception.

The Texas State-Troy game is the Bobcats second most played series in conference play behind ULM.

The history of the series dates back to when Troy joined the Southland Conference from 1996 and played through 2000. The series resumed when Texas State joined the Sun Belt.

The Trojans have dominated the series with Troy leading Texas State 13-1.

The Bobcats lone win against the Trojans came in 1997 when Texas State defeated then No. 7 Troy 31-17 Thursday night.

Running back Claude Mathis overcame two fumbles to rush for 159 yards and one touchdown while the Bobcat defense forced six sacks and one interception returned back for a touchdown.

In the Bobcats last meeting with the Trojans, Troy outscored Texas State 17-0 in the fourth quarter to seal a 31-13 win.

Kickoff for Texas State-Troy is set for Thursday Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.