Football: TXST Loses to Navy, Draws Record Crowd

(PHOTO BY: JUSTIN LEITNER, SMCN PHOTOGRAPHER)

BY: GABBY TROPEA, SPORTS REPORTER

@GabbyTropea

In front of 32,007 fans, the second largest crowd in school history (Texas Tech vs. TXST in 2012 is first), Texas State was defeated by The United States Naval Academy, 35-21.

“Let me say what a great crowd,” said TXST head coach Dennis Franchione.  “It was super to see Bobcat Stadium like that and I wish we could have played a little better for them. Still, they made a big difference and it was exciting.”

Bobcats quarterback Tyler Jones had a career-high 82 yards rushing and the Bobcats collectively gained 442 yards on 80 offensive snaps, but they also committed 11 penalties for 124 yards.

“We kept shooting ourselves in the foot,” said Jones about the penalties.  “I thought we could have had a few scores in the first half that we took away with penalties. We just have to come back next week and regroup.”

The Midshipmen came into the game without their starting quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who was ruled out during pre-game warm-ups due to a lingering injury.  Their all-of-5’10”-backup-quarterback Tago Smith had 213 yards of total offense for the game, proving they could play without their starter.

Navy scored twice in the first quarter, and twice in the second quarter.

As for Texas State, the first quarter remained scoreless.

During their second possession, the Bobcats did drive the ball down to the Navy 6-yard line but one face mask call, one personal foul and one sideline interference call pushed them all the way back to the Navy 42-yard line. The Bobcats were unable to recover from their penalties on the drive.

With 43 seconds left in the half, Rob Lowe had a 6-yard run, that was reviewed and ultimately called back. Jones ran one yard for the touchdown to end the half with the Bobcats down, 28-7.

The Bobcat defense did some reevaluating during half time and came back strong for the second half, only allowing one touchdown to be scored. A defensive battle put up no points by either team in the third quarter. Texas State’s own David Mayo led the night in tackles with 13 total tackles. Mayo ranked 13th nationally in total tackles with an average of 8.9 per game during the 2013 season despite not playing the full season.

Following the second half kick-off, Navy had a 63-yard gain to put them at the 6-yard line. The Bobcats were able to prevent the touchdown and picked up the ball at the one. They weren’t able to convert on downs and punted the ball from the 2-yard line

The second half proved to be more positive for the Bobcats offensively as well. The Bobcats had an impressive comeback, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter by Robert Lowe and Terrance Franks.

Each team had an interception during the game. Jones tossed his first interception of the 2014 season, while TXST safety Germod Williams snagged his first pick of the season and the second of his career.

To no surprise, the Midshipmen ended the game honorably with a kneel-down on the Bobcats’ 1-yard line, when they easily could have scored one more time.  In the spirit of sportsmanship, the two teams joined each other after the game to sing both schools fight songs.

“Anytime you get to play the (military) academies, and I’ve played all of them and I’ve played them 10 or 12 times, you admire what they stand for, you admire what they do, what they go through. They will fight a lot bigger battles in their life than the one they fought tonight,” said Franchione. “I was proud of our players to go show their respect to the Naval Academy and to the things that they stand for and the leadership they provide our country. And they came over with our guys. I didn’t suspect that. At the end of the game, that’s how it’s supposed to be: sportsmanship and respect for each other.”

The Bobcats (1-1) travel to Champaign-Urbana, Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini (2-1) next Saturday.