Oct. 22, 2005

Final Stats |  Quotes

SAN MARCOS - Texas State quarterback Barrick Nealy ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more as the Bobcats defeated Northwestern State 31-16 Saturday before an announced crowd of 13,852.

With the win, the No. 7- ranked `Cats took sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference and snapped a four-game losing streak versus NSU. The win assured the Bobcats of their first winning season since 2000 as they improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the SLC. No. 22 Northwestern State fell to 3-3 and 2-1.

Texas State never trailed in the game, jumping out to a 21-0 lead by midway through the second quarter.

Nealy orchestrated a 49-yard, seven-play scoring drive during the first quarter to put the `Cats out in front. The Dallas native ran for 42 yards during the series, including a 26-yard scamper on the first play of the drive. Facing third-and-goal from the three, Nealy rifled a pass intended for Markee White that was tipped and into the hands of Tyrone Scott for a score with 7:52 to play in the first.

The Bobcats kept Northwestern State backed up early as the Demons' starting field position of five first-quarter drives was their own 12-yard line.

Morris Crosby's 10-yard punt return to the NSU 33 set up the Bobcats' second scoring drive. An offensive pass interference call moved Texas State back to near midfield but facing third-and-26, Nealy completed a 38-yard pass to Dameon Williams. Nealy would then get outside and get the ball over the end line for Texas State's second touchdown with 13:52 to play in the second quarter.

Nealy and Williams would hook up again for a 22-yard touchdown strike on Texas State's next series to cap a seven-play, 59-yard drive. It was Williams' first touchdown reception as a Bobcat. Nealy also completed an 18-yard, third-down pass to Scott during the scoring drive.

Northwestern State finally got on the board with a 32-yard field goal by Robert Weeks with 5:31 to play in the half. The score was set up by a 39-yard, third-down run by NSU quarterback Davon Vinson. The play marked the longest run against the `Cats this season.

The Demons looked to gain back some momentum when they held Texas State to three-and-out on their next series before Keadrin Seastrunk blocked a punt that he recovered at the Texas State 15. It took the Demons only three plays to score as Shelton Sampson scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 3:08 to play in the half.

Both Northwestern State scores in the first half were set up by the run, as Vinson was 0-for-9 passing through the first half. The Demons notched 116 yards of offense on the ground in the half and finished the night with 282 yards of total offense, including 199 rushing.

Vinson was the Demons' leading rusher, running for 96 yards on 11 carries. He ended up the night completing seven of 27 passes for 83 yards.

Nealy added a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the Bobcats went on their longest drive of the game. The series included a 29-yard pass from Nealy to Morris Crosby into Demon territory then Nick Session ran for 3, 9 and 13 yards before Nealy's touchdown run made it 28-10, Texas State with 7:06 in the third.

Elolf would get a punt off out of the end zone in the fourth quarter but a 12-yard Toby Zeigler return would set up a three-play Demon scoring drive. Vinson scored on a 24-yard touchdown run but his pass on the extra-point try went incomplete as the `Cats held on to a 28-16 lead.

Texas State would add a 50-yard field goal by Stan Jones late in the quarter. The boot was a career-long for Jones and was two yards shy of a 15-year old record.

Texas State, which was defeated by Northwestern State 44-7 last year, amassed 349 yards. Nealy completed 11-of-26 passes for 167 yards and also had 11 carries for 73 yards in the game. Williams caught three passes for 83 yards.

Defensively, Walter Musgrove had eight tackles and a quarterback hurry while Fred Evans had five stops including a quarterback sack and a tackle for loss.

Texas State will travel to Nicholls State next week to play a Colonel team that is coming off an open week. Nicholls is 2-3 on the year and 1-1 in the SLC. Northwestern State plays host to Northeastern next week in a nonconference game.

Saturday's attendance marked the second week in a row the Bobcats drew a top 10 attended crowd to a game played in Bobcat Stadium. Last week Texas State drew 13,787 for its homecoming game against Panhandle State.