CONWAY, S.C. – The Texas State Bobcats (2-6, 1-3 SBC) took down the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (1-7, 0-5 SBC), 27-7 at Benton Field on Saturday evening, October 28.  The win marks the first road victory for the Bobcats since opening last season with a victory at Ohio.  Texas State also earned a Sun Belt Conference win for the first time since head coach Everett Withers took the helm.

On the opening drive of the game, Texas State dialed up the trickery.  Anthony D. Taylor took the handoff around the right side of the line, pitched it back to Tyler Watts on a reverse, Watts pitched it back to Damian Williams who found Gabe Schrade all alone down the left sideline.  Schrade was able to haul in the reverse flea-flicker and walk into the end zone from 54 yards out.  Foster Hilborn's point after attempt was true, giving the Bobcats a 7-0 lead.

The second drive of the evening started in promising fashion.  The Bobcats converted a pair of third-down conversions before stalling out near the red zone.  Texas State called on the field goal unit for a 44-yard attempt.  The snap rifled through the hands of the holder and was scooped up by Anthony Chesley of Coastal and returned 50 yards for a score.  Evan Rabon connected on the extra point attempt, evening the score at 7-7.

Late in the first quarter, Gabe Loyd bull rushed his way into the backfield, sacking the quarterback and forcing a fumble in the process.  Frankie Griffin recovered and returned it to the CCU 29-yard line.  For Loyd, he now has 3.5 sacks on the season and has forced a pair of fumbles.  Griffin's recovery was his second of the season.  Unfortunately, a handful of plays later, Williams overthrew his intended receiver, leading to an interception in the end zone.

Still tied deep into the second quarter, the Bobcats found the end zone again.  The drive picked up some steam after a 13-yard completion to Tyler Watts moved the sticks.  The next play, Watts hauled in a 33-yard pass and the Bobcats were off and running.  After a couple of third down conversions, Eric Luna hauled in his first touchdown of the season, a seven-yard slant route from Williams.

Williams led a terrific tow-minute drive at the end of the first half, completing 6-of-9 passes for 63 yards and gaining 11 yards on a QB-keeper.  The drive covered a total of 11 plays for 68 yards and ended with a 37-yard field goal from Hilborn.  The kick was a career best effort and put the Bobcats up 17-7 at the half.

In the third quarter, Hutch White set the Bobcats up with great field position after returning a Chanticleer punt 18 yards to the CCU 45 yard line.  The first play of the ensuing drive saw Anthony Smith bust up the middle for a 15-yard gain.  After a handful of penalties on both teams the drive stalled, leading to a Hilborn field goal attempt from 37 yards out.  Once again, Hilborn was perfect, extending the Bobcat lead to 20-7.

The fourth quarter started with a bang for the visiting Bobcats.  The drive started in the third quarter with a number of successful running plays, including a 31-yard scamper by Watts.  Anthony Smith capped off the drive with a two-yard plunge into the end zone.  After another Hilborn extra point, TXST held a 27-7 advantage. 

Williams led the way for the Bobcat offense, setting new career highs in nearly every statistic.  The graduate transfer completed 27-of-38 for 269 yards and a pair of scores, all of which established new career bests for him.  Williams also toted the ball 13 times for 29 yards.  His 51 offensive attempts also set a new career mark.  His 298 total yards of offense trailed only the Appalachian State game (306 yards) for most in his career.

Leading the wide receiving corps was Tyler Watts, who snagged a team-high eight catches for 90 yards.  Watts also added a 31-yard rush.  Each of those are career-best efforts for Watts.  His 121 yards of total offense also ranks as a collegiate best outing for the junior. 

Dila Rosemond paced the defensive unit with six tackles.  Gabe Loyd collected four tackles including a sack.  He was also credited with a forced fumble on his sack.  Frankie Griffin was awarded four tackles and a fumble recovery. 

Texas State will be back at home next Saturday, November 4 as hosts to New Mexico State University.  The Sun Belt Conference game will be the Homecoming Game for the Bobcats.  Kick is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.