MONROE, La. – The Texas State defense scored a pair of second half touchdowns and Tyler Jones scrambled for a 16-yard score in the fourth quarter, but the Bobcats were unable to overcome ULM's 23-point second quarter as the Warhawks held on for 40-34 win in Sun Belt Conference play Saturday evening at Malone Stadium in Monroe, La.
 
How It Happened:

• ULM (2-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) quickly moved into Bobcat territory on its first possession of the game, but the Texas State defense held as Brandon McDowell knocked down a pass in the end zone on third down, forcing Craig Ford's 48-yard field goal.
• Texas State (2-4, 0-2 Sun Belt) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard with its first possession. The Bobcats marched 75 yards in 1:24, using only five plays to take the 7-3 lead. Steadman Mayberry capped the drive with a 17-yard touchdown run, marking his first time finding pay dirt this season.
• The Warhawks regained the lead at 10-7 with 4:08 remaining in the first quarter. Ben Luckett scored on a 1-yard run to cap the 62-yard drive that included six rushes for 34 yards.
• Tyler Jones and the offense immediately responded with a touchdown drive of their own. The drive, which started on the Bobcats' own 25, featured 57 yards through the air on four completions for Jones, who ended the drive with a 3-yard TD run up the middle 12:03 to go in the second quarter. Ford split the upright on the point after, giving ULM a 17-14 lead.
• After a three-and-out and a punt by Texas State, ULM took over on its own 12. However, the Warhawks' covered 88 yards in nine plays with Collins' finding Kyle Nevels for a 22-yard score. TXST's Ishmael Davis blocked the extra point, leaving ULM with a 23-14 advantage.
• On the ensuing drive Jones was strip-sacked by Donald Louis and ULM recovered the loose ball for the game's first turnover. ULM took over at the Bobcats' 37 and found the end zone for the third time in the second quarter eight plays later for the 30-14 lead. The play of the drive came from the legs of Collins, who converted a fourth-and-5 with an 18-yard scramble down to the 1-yard line.
• The Warhawks forced their second turnover of the game – this time an interception – on Texas State's next possession as Justin Backus stepped in front of a Jones pass intended for Elijah King. ULM converted the takeaway into three points with a 40-yard Ford field goal, providing the 33-14 halftime score.
• Texas State scored first in the second half as defensive end Stan Kanu picked off a Collins pass and raced 53 yards down the right sideline for his first career score. Marcus Ripley's PAT was good as the Bobcats cut ULM's lead to 33-21.
• ULM countered with its third rushing touchdown of the day, for a 40-21 lead, as Carter counted the first score of his career from 9-yards out. The Warhawks took advantage of a pair of TXST penalties on the drive to keep the drive alive.
• The Bobcat defense scored a second time with 11:12 to go in the fourth quarter. Davis forced a Luckett fumble that was recovered and returned 50 yards by Damani Alexcee. The PAT no good, bringing the score to 40-27 in ULM's favor.
• Texas State cut the ULM lead to six at 40-34 with a 16-yard Jones run up the middle with 3:22 tom play. The run, which was Jones' 21st rushing TD of his career, capped a 76 yard drive that took only eight plays and 1:38 off the clock.
• A Bobcat defensive stand forced ULM to punt the ball back to the Bobcats with 1:18 showing on the clock.
• Texas State moved the ball to the ULM 33-yard line, but Jones' final heave to the end zone as time expired fell to the turf as ULM held on for the 40-34 win.

Notable:
In the second quarter ULM limited Texas State to 36 total yards (27 pass/9 rush), while totaling 179 yards (81 pass/98 rush) … Kanu's interception return for a touchdown was the first by a Bobcat since David Mims against Georgia State back in 2014 … Alexcee's fumble recovery and return for a touchdown was the first since Craig Majer (a current San Diego Charger) against Southern Miss in the 2013 season opener.
 
Statistical Leaders: ­
Jones finished the game 19 of 35 for 193 yards with two interceptions, while also rushing for two scores and 28 net yards on 11 attempts … Mayberry led the Bobcats' ground attack with 87 yards and a score on 11 carries … Gabe Schrade proved to be Jones' top target, hauling in four passes for 62 yards … Bryan London led the Texas State defense with 13 tackles, marking his fourth double-digit tackle performance of the season. Also registering 10-plus stops were Gabe Loyd and Alexcee with 12 and 11, respectively.
 
ULM's Collins was 9 of 16 for 125 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran 15 times for 59 yards … Both Carter and Luckett surpassed 100 yards on the ground with 104 and 100, respectively … Alec Osborne caught two passes for 49 yard to pace the Warhawks.
 
Up Next:
Texas State returns home to Bobcat Stadium Saturday (Oct. 22) to face UL Lafayette. The game, which will be the Bobcats' homecoming contest, is slated for a 6 p.m. kickoff.