Sept. 3, 2005

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SAN MARCOS - Barrick Nealy's 1-yard scoring plunge midway through the fourth quarter helped propel Texas State to a season-opening 32-25 win over Delta State Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

Nealy's scoring dive with 6:44 left in the game broke a 25-25 deadlock after Delta State had tied the game by scoring 15 unanswered points in the third quarter.

The Bobcats' game-winning drive included a 34-yard diving catch by Dameon Williams on a Nealy pass to move Texas State into Statesmen territory. The play came with the `Cats facing third-and-21 from their own 32. A defensive holding flag on Delta State helped sustain the drive. Nealy also completed a 15-yard pass to red-shirt freshman Stan Zwinggi and after running back Nick Session dived for 2-yards, Nealy found the end zone.

The win marks Texas State's eighth straight home-opening win and the squad's 11th in the past 12 seasons.

Delta State came into the game looking for its second upset victory in as many games. Last week the Statesmen, ranked No. 9 in Division II, knocked off Division II's preseason second-ranked team, Pittsburg State 44-31. Pittsburg State advanced to the Division II national championship game in 2004.

Delta State quarterback Scott Eyster was 19-of-31, throwing for 223 yards and two touchdowns against the Bobcats. He helped engineer two scoring drives after Nealy fired a 16-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Scott with 8:06 to play in the third quarter. The touchdown reception was Scott's second of the game as he finished with three catches for 54 yards.

Eyster capped a quick, three-play drive with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robert Davis. The series started near midfield after the Bobcats were flagged for a personal foul during the kickoff which ensued after the Texas State score.

Eyster also completed a 38-yard pass to Davis to set up the scoring play.

After a three-and-out series, Nile Legania returned a 53-yard Cory Elolf punt 39 yards to the Texas State 31. Eyster found Robert Davis for a 30-yard pass completion then A.J. Davis scored on a 1-yard run to tie the game at 25-25 with 3:40 to play in the third quarter.

Texas State jumped out to a quick 15-0 lead in the first quarter.

Nealy capped a 7-play, 82-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Scott on the Bobcats' first offensive series. Facing third down early in the drive, Nealy completed an 18-yard pass to Justin Williams. He also had a 19-yard pass to move the Bobcats into Delta State territory. Doughlas Sherman's 8-yard run would set up the scoring pass.

Delta State's first offensive series ended with a safety as the Statesmen had a snap on a punt attempt bound into the end zone from the 24-yard line.

After the free kick, the `Cats started at their own 34 and would go on a nine-play, 66-yard drive. Nealy would find Tyrone Scott for an 11-yard reception while facing an early third-and-eight. He would also run for 22 yards to the DSU 36. Later, a 12-yard pass to fullback Luke Bomar would set up a 12-yard touchdown run by Sherman to give the Bobcats a 15-0 lead with 6:01 to play in the first quarter.

Nealy completed 12-of-21 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns in becoming the second all-time leading passer at Texas State. He has now passed for 4,491 career yards, surpassing Mike Miller (4,446/1978-81). Nealy also ran for 52 yards on 13 carries while Sherman had 16 rushing attempts for 72 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Jeremy Castillo finished with five total tackles, including 2.5 for losses and a quarterback sack. Defensive lineman Travis Upshaw had 1.5 sacks for the Bobcats.

Texas State, 1-0, continues its home stand next week when it plays host to Southern Utah.