Nov. 1, 2008

Final Stats

Texas State-Northwestern State in PDF Format

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Despite Bradley George passing for 200 yards and Karrington Bush running for 92 yards, the Texas State football team suffered a 34-31 overtime loss to Northwestern State at Bobcat Stadium.

The Bobcats trailed most of the day before George hit Adrian Thomas for a 18-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. But, Northwestern came right back to tie the game and had a chance to win in regulation, but Robert Weeks missed a 41-yard field goal attempt with no time left in regulation.

The Demons won the toss in overtime and chose to start the overtime period on defense. The Bobcats opened overtime with George hitting Daren Dillard for a 19-yard pass to the six, but Bush was tackled for a five-yard loss on the first and goal play. George threw the ball away on second down and his pass intended for Cameron Luke fell incomplete when Luke lost his footing in the end zone.

Andrew Ireland kicked a 28-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a three-point lead 31-28.

Northwestern State took over at Texas State's 25-yard line on their first possession in overtime. After gaining 23 yards in the first four plays, Byron Lawrence ran for a two-yard touchdown on third and goal from the two-yard line to give the Demons the win.

The Bobcats and Northwestern State entered today's game tied for second place with 5-3 overall records and a 2-1 SLC records. The game also featured the nation's top offense (Texas State) going against the league's top defensive team.

Northwestern State struck first when Kasey Brown of Northwestern State intercepted George's pass at the Bobcat 40-yard line and ran itback for a touchdown to put the Demons up, 7-0. After the Bobcats were force to punt on their next possession, Kenneth Hampton intercepted a pass by Northwestern State quarterback Drew Branch at the Texas State 48-yard line to give the Bobcats the ball with eight minutes to go in the opening quarter. However, the Bobcats could not capitalize on the next drive and were forced to punt after three.

Two-straight fall starts force the Demons to go for third down and 20. Defensive back Morris Crosby intercepted another pas sby Branch and returned it for 17 yards to the Texas State 31, for his second interception of the season, giving the Bobcats possession with 1:02 left to go on the clock.

George connected with wide receiver Daren Dillard for a 46-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7 after Andrew Ireland kicked the PAT, with 13:40 left in the first half.

Northwestern State regained the lead when Dudley Guice caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from Branch to take a 14-7 lead.

On Texas State's next possession, the Bobcats moved the ball to Northwestern's 43-yard line and Benjamin Follis faked a punt and rushed for 16 yards give the Bobcats a first down. George and Karrington Bush combined to run for 17 yards down to the 10-yard line before Geroge hit E.J. LeBlanc for his first touchdown of the season as the first half ended with the score tied at 14-14.

After the Demons opened the second half with a 30-yard touchdown run by Lawrence, Drenard Williams returned the kickoff 31 yard to Texas State's 44-yard line. On the first offensive play of the second half for the Bobcats, Bush rushed for 41 yards to help set up a two-yard touchdown run by Blake Burton to tie the score at 21-21.

That is how the score remained until George hit Thomas for an 18-yard touchdown pass to give Texas State its first lead. Thomas caught his first touchdown pass since Dec. 9, 2005 against Northern Iowa.

Northwestern State's William Griffin rushed for two yards with 3:44 to go in the game to score a touchdown and tie the game at 28-28 and set up the disappointing ending.

George finished the day 17 of 36 for 201 yards, with one interception and three touchdown passes. Bush led all rushers with 92 yards on 16 attempts, just eight shy of a 100-yard rushing game.

The loss drops Texas State to 5-4 overall this season and the Bobcats are 2-2 in Southland Conference play. Northwestern State improved to 6-3 and the Demons are tied with Central Arkansas for first place in the Southland Conference standing with a 3-1 mark, one game ahead of Texas State, Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State. SFA lost a 34-31 double-overtime loss at Sam Houston State and McNeese State beat Southeastern Louisiana 24-14. .