Jonesboro, Ark.  – The Texas State football team (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) couldn't overcome three critical plays in the second half as Arkansas State (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) won a 38-14 decision at Centennial Bank Stadium Saturday night.

The Bobcats had fought back from a 17-0 deficit with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to make the score 17-14 heading into halftime. But, Texas State had a punt blocked and surrendered a 32-yard punt return that led to two A-State touchdowns as the Red Wolves opened up a 31-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Red Wolves closed out the scoring with another touchdown midway in the fourth quarter to make the final score 38-14.

BOX SCORE
- Caleb Twyford led the Bobcat offense when he rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and caught two passes for 20 yards. Twyford had a career-long 60 yards on Texas State's first drive, but the Bobcats turned the ball over on downs.
 
-Tyler Vitt made his second start of the season and completed 15-of-27 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown, but he had two interceptions. He threw a 34-yard pass to Jeremiah Haydel that led to Texas State's first touchdown. He also threw a 32-yard strike to Jah'Marae' Sheread that set up a second touchdown for the Bobcats.
 
- The Bobcats also scored a touchdown on Vitt's six-yard pass to Hutch White. It was White's first touchdown catch of the season. He ended the game with two receptions for 12 yards.
 
- Senior linebacker Nikolas Daniels led the defensive attack with 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.
 
-JaShon Waddy had 10 tackles, while Bryan London II had eight stops with a pass breakup.

KEY MOMENTS
- The Bobcats received the opening kickoff for the first time this season and drove down to Arkansas State's five-yard line. Caleb Twyford had 60-yard run as the key play in the drive. Texas State was unable to score, as Tyler Vitt threw an incomplete pass on fourth down.
 
QUOTES FROM THE SIDELINE
"I thought we came out a little rusty and put our defense in some tough spots, especially when we didn't score from the five-yard line," coach Spavital said. "We were able to get things going and came back in the second quarter after being down 17-0. We got it to 17-14 at the half, and I thought we had some momentum. But we come out in the second half and couldn't get anything going offensively. We also had a blocked punt and gave up a return inside our 20-yard line. The defense was playing with their backs to the wall the entire night."

UP NEXT
- Texas State will resume Sun Belt Conference play with a second-straight road game when the Bobcats travel to Louisiana on Nov. 2. The
 
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