The South Alabama Jaguars outscored Texas State 13-3 in the fourth quarter, leading to a 30-20 conference loss for the Bobcats on Oct. 17.
The loss is Texas State’s third straight and leaves it at a 1-5 overall record, 1-2 in the Sun Belt Conference.
The first drive of the game for Texas State started well as the offense drove down to the South Alabama 33 yard line, but it failed to convert on fourth down and turned the ball over to the Jaguars.
The South Alabama offense responded with a 50-yard drive which ended with a 33-yard field goal to take the first lead of the game, 3-0.
The lead did not last long as Texas State put together a 65-yard drive, ending with sophomore quarterback Brady McBride finding sophomore tight end Jackson Lanam for a 9-yard touchdown pass and a successful extra point attempt to go up 7-3.
South Alabama answered right back and retook the lead 9-7 after sophomore running back Carlos Davis scored from one yard out. An extra point attempt increased the lead to 10-7.
After trading possessions, the Bobcat offense was able to tie the game at 10-10 after sophomore kicker Seth Keller’s 30-yard field goal.
South Alabama would then conduct a 75-yard drive ending in a controversial touchdown pass from junior quarterback Chance Lovertich to junior wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, where Tolbert appeared to push off from junior cornerback Jarron Morris. South Alabama took a 17-10 lead into halftime.
The Bobcats’ second-half adjustments stopped the Jaguars’ offense for the first two possessions.
Texas State scored in three plays following a punt. The drive included McBride finding sophomore quarterback Jah’Marae “K-Dot” Sheread, which set up sophomore running back Brock Sturges’ 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17-17.
Following another punt by the South Alabama offense, the Bobcats looked to take the lead with the momentum of their side. However, the Bobcats were stuffed on fourth down following an option play by McBride.
The play was costly for Texas State as it allowed South Alabama to drive down in Texas State territory and kick a field goal to go up 20-17.
Texas State responded to the field goal with a field goal of its own from 41 yards, tying the game 20-20.
The Bobcat defense, struggling with depth and losing senior linebacker Markeveon “Binky” Coleman and junior safety Brendon Luper to targeting ejections, struggled to contain the Jaguars’ offense deep in the fourth quarter.
A 10-play, 75-yard drive ended with sophomore quarterback Desmond Trotter finding senior wide receiver Kawaan Baker for a 6-yard touchdown pass and an extra point kick to retake the lead at 27-20 . The following possession, the Bobcat offense went three and out and punted the ball back to South Alabama.
A 44-yard field by South Alabama sealed the win for the Jaguars at 30-20.
Texas State will look to get back on track and finish out a five-game road stretch Oct. 24 with a late-night road match against top-ranked Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.