Sept. 26, 2005

SAN MARCOS - For the second time in as many games, Texas State University quarterback Barrick Nealy has been named the Aeropostale Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week following his performance in the Bobcats' game against Texas A&M. Nealy was also one of four players selected Weekly All-Stars as tabbed by I-AA.org on Monday.

In Texas State's 44-31 loss at Texas A&M, Nealy completed 26-of-34 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 38-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that cut the Aggies lead to the final margin with nine minutes to play. On the scoring play, Nealy scrambled toward the Texas State sideline, cut back across the field then raced back down the sideline, diving into the end zone. The officials never signaled a touchdown but after reviewing the play, the play was ruled a touchdown.

Both Nealy's passing yard total and total offense (414 yards) were the third-best performance by a player at the NCAA Division I-AA level this season. The passing yardage total also ranks third all-time at Texas State. The Dallas native also holds the top two spots and six of the top 10 all-time passing performances at Texas State.

He got the Bobcats on the scoreboard with a six-yard touchdown pass to Markee White after the pair hooked up for a 72-yard pass play on the same drive. Nealy would also complete an 18-yard touchdown pass to fullback Blake Burton and find Tyrone Scott for a 17-yard touchdown reception later in the game.

Nealy heads into this week's home game against South Dakota State ranked fourth in Division I-AA in total offensive yards (313.67 pg) and seventh in pass efficiency (162.04). He is averaging 237.7 yards passing and has completed 66.7 percent of his passes (52-of-78 with 1 interception).

Among active Division I-AA players, Nealy ranks second in total yards per game (247.6), seventh in total offensive yards (5942) and ninth in total plays (966). He also ranks among the top 20 in passing attempts, completions, yards, touchdowns and pass efficiency.

Texas State, now 2-1, takes on a South Dakota State team Saturday which is 2-2 but the Jackrabbits' two losses have come against two of the top 10 teams in Division I-AA by a total of 15 points. SDSU lost at No. 4 Montana 7-0 two weeks ago and is coming off a 24-16 loss to No. 10 Cal Poly last week.

Stephen F. Austin defensive back Ryan Luedecke was named the SLC Defensive Player of the Week after an 11-tackle performance in the Lumberjacks' 40-17 win at Southern Utah. Texas State defensive lineman Fred Evans received honorable mention for the award. SFA punter Ryan Gooch was the league's Special Teams Player of the Week.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is slated for 6 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium.