Joe Knows: Timing is Right for a Big Win

BY: JOE GARCIA, SPORTS COLUMNIST

@JoeGarcia73

The ship is heading in the right direction for the Texas State football program.

Yes, the Bobcats lost back-to-back games, but after watching Texas State play the last couple of weeks, Bobcats fans should like where the program is heading.

Despite 11 penalties for 124 yards two weeks ago against the United States Naval Academy, the Bobcats hung around and gave themselves opportunities for a comeback before eventually falling, 35-21. Then on the road last Saturday against the Big Ten’s Illinois Fighting Illini, Texas State dictated much of the first half. With 17 first downs to Illinois’ six, the ‘Cats and took a 21-6 lead.

Following nearly a two-hour delay due to lighting, the Fightin’ Illini swung the momentum to the tune of 19 unanswered points. Although he threw a pick-six late, quarterback Tyler Jones finished the game with a career-high 336 passing yards and tied his career-high of four touchdown passes in the 42-35 loss.

“When you play a power five team like that and you get in that position (to win) – which you can’t always do – you need to find a way to finish it and we didn’t quite get that done,” said head coach Dennis Franchione. “The guys played hard and they were really disappointed to lose that one.”

It was disappointing, but in the Bobcats’ first year in the FBS, they likely weren’t ready for a game like that on the road. Texas State’s recruiting of increasingly talented players is starting to show after losing to the likes of Navy and Illinois by a combined 21 points. Texas State is still outscoring opponents 121-73 for the season.

These non-conference games are great tests for the Bobcats to ready themselves for a run at the Sun Belt Conference title, and up next they travel to Oklahoma to take on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

Hailing from the American Athletic Conference, the Golden Hurricane are also 1-2 after losing to No.4 Oklahoma and Florida Atlantic. Their lone win this season is a 38-31 win against Tulane in overtime.

Saturday’s matchup looks favorable for the Bobcats on paper.

Tulsa’s defense has allowed an average of 44.3 points per game to 24 for the Bobcats. Offensively the Golden Hurricane average 22 points per game compared to 40.3 for Texas State.

After a gritty performance on the road against a Big Ten foe last week, the Bobcats will look for a signature win this week against Tulsa and the team’s play has negotiated that now is the time for Texas State football program earn such a victory.