Bobcat Defensive Line Faces Challenge From New Mexico State Aggies

The Bobcats will take on the New Mexico State Aggies, who are currently 2-6, in the 10th week of the season.

Linebacker Coach Brad Franchione says Texas State is preparing to face a team armed with many defensive weapons despite a six-game losing streak.

New Mexico State has allowed 24 turnovers this season. What stands out to Franchione, however, is the Aggies have allowed only five sacks.

Franchione says the Aggies’ skillful pass protection will pose a challenge for the Bobcats’ defensive line.

New Mexico State’s two-man quarterback combination gives the team what Franchione calls a “dual threat.” Aggie quarterbacks Andrew Allen and Tyler Rogers have combined for 14 touchdowns and 2,131 yards this season.

“I’m anticipating (New Mexico State) trying to get the ball in the perimeter and us having to do a great job of working together as a defense and swarming the ball together, understanding where everyone is coming from and working to leverage the ball to our teammates,” Franchione said.

On top of this, Franchione and Trey McGowan, junior linebacker, mentioned the capabilities of New Mexico State’s running backs.

Aggie freshman running back Larry Rose III leads the team with 530 rushing yards.

Franchione says the team will need to control the line of scrimmage and the Aggies’ running game, which has accounted for 14 of the team’s 26 touchdowns.

McGowan says the team has used ball drills and running gashers to adequately prepare for New Mexico State’s multi-faceted offense.

McGowan says the team acquired a sense of “togetherness” along with physical preparations in its comeback win against Louisiana-Monroe last weekend.

“If we bring it out like that every game, we won’t lose another game,” McGowan said.

Franchione believes the team has positive momentum from its recent win.

“I think our players will feed off of it,” Franchione said. “They’ve developed some good unity from playing some four-quarter games, and I feel comfortable with playing for four quarters to win the game. That’s what we take away from a win, and I think it gives you some hope on where you can be at the end of the season.”

Franchione can’t tell where the team will be at the end of the season, but he said this week’s motto will be like every one before it. The team’s motto is ‘one game at a time.’

“I’m not good at predictions, but I know tomorrow we’re going to practice and try to get better and beat New Mexico State,” Franchione said.

Mariah Medina is an Assistant Sports Editor for the University Star where this story originally published. It is reprinted here through a news partnership between the University Star and the San Marcos Corridor News.