Texas State Football beats South Alabama 33-31 in quadruple overtime

Amira Van Leeuwen | Staff Reporter

SAN MARCOS – Texas State (2-3 overall, 1-0 Sunbelt Conference) beat South Alabama (3-2 overall, 0-2 Sunbelt Conference) 33-31 in quadruple overtime on Oct. 9.

It was a night that saw the Bobcats start out strong, fade in the middle and come fighting back to get an exciting overtime victory over South Alabama in a quadruple overtime that ended in a victory of 33-31. It was a night to be remembered.

The Bobcats jumped out to an early (7-0) lead. Sophomore quarterback Brady McBride passed to junior wide receiver Javen Banks for a Bobcat touchdown. The extra point kicked by sophomore Seth Keller was good, to put the Bobcats up (7-0).

Early in the second quarter, the Jaguars came roaring back with a touchdown from freshman running back AJ Phillips and a field kick  tied the game (7-7).

After a back and forth of the first quarter and much of the second quarter, the Jaguars mounted a drive down the 35-yard line putting them in field goal position with 8 minutes left in the first half. Sophomore punt kicker Diego Guajardo kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a (10-7) lead.

On the Bobcats next possession, McBride was intercepted by senior inside linebacker Jamal Brooks and the Jaguars took over.

Senior quarterback Bentley passed the ball to sophomore tight end Lincoln Sefcik who scored a touchdown for the Jaguars. Guajardo kicked the point for the Jaguars putting them up (17-7) at the half.

After halftime, the Bobcats gained three points back as Keller kicked a 43 yard field goal to put the score to (17-10).

Early in the fourth quarter the Jaguars wasted no time adding to their lead on a 5-yard run by Phillips. Guardo added the point after to make it (24-10).

With 12 minutes, 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter, McBride hit junior wide receiver Marcell Barbee for a touchdown. Keller kicked the extra point to make the score (24-17).

Bobcats got possession of the ball with 3 minutes and 17 seconds remaining  to start a drive that would tie the game. With 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter, sophomore running back Jahmyl Jeter ran for 1-yard into the endzone for a Bobcat touchdown. The extra point allowed the  Bobcats to tie the game (24-24).

“Our defense mentality is “Onto the next play,” senior defensive lineman Caveon Patton said.

In the first overtime, Bentley passed the ball to junior wide receiver Jalen Tolbert who scored first for the Jaguars (31-24). Sophomore running back Brock Sturges answered for the Bobcats with a 4-yard run into the endzone tying up the game once again (31-31). The Jaguars and Bobcats fought head to head but neither team scored in the second overtime, forcing the third overtime to commence. In the fourth overtime, the Bobcats kicked a field goal to win the game (33-31).

“I thought the continuity of the offensive line was the best it’s been and we’re gonna have to continue to build off that and stay healthy,” Head Coach Jake Spavital said.

Junior linebacker Sione Tupou was named Sunbelt Conference Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high and game-high 14 tackles.

“I thought Sione really rose to the occasion. I’m just really proud of how he’s playing right now,” Head Coach Jake Spavital said.

“We’ve won and lost, but we have to keep winning,” Patton emphasized.

The Bobcats will play Troy University on Oct. 16 at Bobcat Stadium. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.