MONROE, La. – Texas State quarterback
Tyler Vitt threw for two touchdowns and ran for another TD to lead the Bobcats to a 38-17 victory at ULM in Malone Stadium Saturday night.
Vitt completed 14-of-21 passes for 256 yards without an interception and led the Bobcats with 82 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Calvin Hill rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Jarron Morris sealed the victory with the game's final seven points when he tied a school record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
The victory was Texas State's first win of the season and first road win for the Bobcats since they won at Georgia State on Nov. 3, 2018.
HOW IT HAPPENED-
Texas State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when the Bobcats took the opening kickoff and drove 85 yards on 10 plays to score a touchdown on a four-yard run by Hill.
Seth Keller kicked the extra point for his first point as a Bobcat. Vitt completed all three of his passes on the drive, including a 36-yard toss to
Marcell Barbee at ULM's 18-yard line.
ULM tied the score when Colby Suits threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jevin Frett. David Hughes added the extra point to make the score 7-7.
It didn't take long for the Bobcats to regain the lead. On their next possession, Vitt threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to
Jeremiah Haydel and Keller added the extra point for a 14-7 advantage.
After Texas State's defense held the Warhawks and forced a punt, the Bobcats turned it over when they inadvertently touched the ball on the punt and ULM recovered. However, the Warhawks did not take advantage as Texas State's
Tory Spears forced a fumble by Josh Johnson, and
Kordell Rodgers returned it 18 yards to the Bobcat 38-yard line.
Texas State quickly moved the ball down the field as Vitt completed a 13-yard pass to
Jah'Marae Sheread for 13 yards and another throw to
Trevis Graham, Jr. for five yards to ULM's 49-yard line. Then, Vitt escaped some ULM pressure and gained 21 yards on the ground to ULM's 23-yard line.
After
Brock Sturges gained 15 more yards on three carries, Vitt scored Texas State's third touchdown in the game with an eight-yard run. Keller kicked the extra point to give the Bobcats a 21-7 lead.
ULM turned the ball over on downs at their 43-yard line when
Brendon Luper forced a fumble and tackled the Suits on a fourth-down play. Texas State took over and drove to ULM's 23-yard line before Keller kicked a 40-yard field goal to give the Bobcats a 24-7 lead.
ULM scored its second touchdown of the game when Suits hit Chan Whitfield for a five-yard touchdown pass. Hughes added the extra point to close the gap to 24-14 with 1:34 left in the first half.
On Texas State's first play of its next possession, Vitt hit
Jeremiah Haydel for a 75-yard touchdown pass on first down to give the Bobcats a 31-14 lead at halftime.
Both teams stepped up on defense in the second half. ULM scored the only points in the third quarter when Hughes kicked a 28-yard field goal.
The final scoring play came with 53 seconds left in the game when
Jarron Morris tied a school record when he intercepted a pass at Texas State's goal line and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. Keller added the extra point to make the final score 38-17.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bobcats will travel to Boston College next Saturday for a non-conference game that kicks off at 5 p.m. (CT) at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut, Mass. The game will be on Fox Sports Southwest Plus. You can listen to the action on KTSW (89.9 FM) in San Marcos and the TuneIn App.
