Sept. 15, 2004

Final Stats

SAN MARCOS - Texas State University scored 35 unanswered points to rebound from an early 3-0 deficit to post a 45-10 win over Angelo State Saturday and give first-year coach and Texas State alum David Bailiff a victory in his debut as a head coach.

Senior running back Terrell Harris rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries and was one of five players to rush for touchdowns as the Bobcats racked up 291 yards on the ground.

After a three-play-and-out series on its first drive, Texas State scored the next four times it had the ball to jump out to a 28-3 lead.

Bryan Helper connected on a 24-yard field goal to give Angelo State a 3-0 lead before Texas State quarterback Barrick Nealy directed an 8-play, 68-yard scoring drive the next time the `Cats had the ball. Nealy capped the series when he called his own number and ran 15 yards for a score to give the Bobcats a 7-3 lead.

Harris would score on a 19-yard run on the first play of the second quarter to extend the lead to 14-3. Backup quarterback Chase Wasson would score on a 41-yard run on the second play of the Bobcats' next series. Texas State punt returner Derwin Straughter would help set up the two-play scoring drive with a 13-yard return into Angelo State territory. Douglas Sherman would rush for 7 yards before Wasson broke free for the scoring jaunt.

Sherman's one-yard scoring plunge on the Bobcats' next drive extended the lead to 28-3.

In addition to running for 69 yards on five carries, Wasson also came off the bench to complete 7-of-15 passes for 45 yards and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Devin Freeman in the third quarter. Nealy completed 5-of-6 passes for 73 yards.

Bailiff played at Texas State, then known as Southwest Texas State, in the late 1970s and early 80s.

"The only thing is I'm not sore, I'm just hoarse," the former standout tight end said after notching his first coaching victory. "You know, in 1980 I was sore after the games."

Bailiff was an assistant coach, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach on staffs at Texas State in the 1990s. He was named the Bobcats' 14th head coach after most recently serving as defensive coordinator at TCU.

Bailiff's defense sacked Angelo State quarterbacks seven times on the night including two by strong safety Larry Hayden who also had five tackles.

Despite holding Angelo State to 205 total yards and a 3.0 per play average, Bailiff said there was room for improvement.

"I'm excited we won this first ballgame," he said "But you know what that means to this football program right now? It means we won't go 0-for the year. We have to come back Monday with an attitude we are going to take the game tape and we are going to improve. We're going to raise the bar as coaches to what the expectation level is for this football team. We're going to continue to challenge this team."