Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne became the winningest coach for Texas State in the FBS era, as the Bobcats were victorious at home, keeping their bowl hopes alive.
Despite a lackluster first half of football, the Texas State Bobcats (5-6, 2-5 SBC) handled the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (3-7, 1-6 SBC) 31-14 on a seasonally cool Saturday afternoon at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, cruising to a comfortable 31-14 victory.
The win was doubly sweet as it was number 21 for Kinne, making him the winningest coach for the Bobcats of the FBS era and tying him with former coach David Bailiff for fourth on the all-time wins list for Texas State.
“I’m just happy to be here, happy to be a Bobcat,” Kinne said. “A lot of credit goes to former players, former coaches and current coaches too.”
The first quarter was a battle of attrition, as both teams traded three-and-outs, combining for 6 punts. ULM had moderate success passing through the air, but Texas State’s defense, led by senior linebacker Treylin Payne and senior safety Bobby Crosby, held firm.
After not crossing into Warhawk territory in the entire 1st quarter, a pair of catches by junior wide receiver Blake Smith had the Bobcat offense in business at the start of the second.
Freshman quarterback Brad Jackson found several of his weapons along the way through the air. A ULM pass interference led to the Bobcats getting down to the Warhawks’ 12-yard line. A field goal would break the stalemate.
Jackson kept dealing in the second as he found junior wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. for a pair of catches and Lincoln Pare took a short pass 20 yards to the Warhawk 14. However, an interception in the end zone stymied any further scoring, as halftime came and the score remained 3-0.
In the second half, the offense took off, first with Jackson scoring the first of two rushing touchdowns on the night with a 19-yard scamper to extend the lead to 10-7. Jackson also went on to score touchdowns via his arm, with the decisive 16-yard touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Beau Sparks. Sparks crossed the 1,000-yard mark for 2025, becoming the first Bobcat since 2007 to do so.
“Honestly, it’s just a blessing. I just want to give all glory to God. I’m super grateful for being on this team and around such great teammates,” Sparks said. “[This is a] team that pushed me and allowed me to be my best self.”
This season hasn’t played out according to many expectations, either on or off the scoreboard. With heartbreaking losses to Arkansas State on the road and to Troy on Homecoming weekend, much can be said about this team. Yet, Kinne has a simple narrative he wants this team to define.
“It’s all about how you finish… the mentors that I lean on, they don’t remember how you started, but how you finished. So we gotta go out there and get another win.” Kinne said.
This victory keeps the Bobcats in control of their bowl eligibility, as Kinne and co. try to go bowling for their third straight season. Only a senior day win next week versus South Alabama stands in their way.
Kickoff against South Alabama is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at UFCU Stadium. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
