JONESBORO, Ark. — The Texas State football program will look to close out the regular-season portion of its 2021 schedule on Saturday, Nov. 27 when the Bobcats play Arkansas State at 1 p.m. CT in Jonesboro, Ark.
The contest can be heard on KTSW (89.9 FM in San Marcos) and the Varsity Network app as
Clint Shields and
Geff Gandy have the call. Saturday's action can also be streamed on ESPN+.
LOOKING AT THE BOBCATS
- Texas State sophomore place kicker Seth Keller enters Saturday's contest one field goal shy of tying the program's single-season record of 14 (Andrew Ireland, 2008; Robbie Roberson, 1990) and two back of breaking it. Keller, on the season, has converted 13 of 16 field goal attempts this season as his 82.4 conversion percentage is the third-highest mark in the conference.
- With a touchdown throw against Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon, Texas State junior quarterback Tyler Vitt would become just the seventh student-athlete in program history to have thrown 30-or-more touchdowns in a career. Two more touchdowns passes for Vitt and the San Antonio native will tie Mike Miller (1978-81) for the sixth most in program history.
- Javen Banks, with his five receiving touchdowns this season, enters Saturday's contest as Texas State's active career leader in pass reception touchdowns with 16. Banks' 16 career receiving touchdowns ties the junior wide receiver with Daren Dillard (2008-10) for fourth on the program's all-time career receiving touchdown list. Teammate Marcell Barbee, after having 10 receiving touchdowns in 2020, is one back of Banks as his 15 career receiving touchdowns is tied with Billy Dunk (1977-80) for fifth on the program's career list.
SCOUTING THE RED WOLVES
- Butch Jones is in his first season at the helm of the Arkansas State football program. Jones, who was hired on December 12, 2020, came to Jonesboro, Ark., after spending three seasons on the coaching staff at the University of Alabama. He's also served as head coach at Tennessee (2013-17), Cincinnati (2010-12) and Central Michigan (2007-09). Jones, in his 11 seasons as a head coach, has coached his teams to four conference championships and eight bowl game appearances while finishing the season ranked in the Associated Press' Top 25 on five different occasions.
- Alan Lamar leads the Sun Belt Conference in all-purpose yardage per game with a 139.36 mark. The Red Wolves' senior running back has collected 1,278 combined kick return yards, which leads the nation, and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Lamar averages 24.6 yards per kickoff return. Offensively, Lamar has totaled 143 rushing yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts. He's also hauled in 20 passes for 112 receiving yards.
- After leading Arkansas State in passing yards last season, redshirt-sophomore quarterback Layne Hatcher has continued his productivity as the program's signal caller has a team-leading 2,146 passing yards and 17 touchdowns on 176-of-304 passing. Hatcher has thrown at least one touchdown in eight appearances this season with a season-high three touchdowns coming against Louisiana on Oct. 21, 2021.
SERIES HISTORY
- Last time out, Texas State earned a 47-45 victory over Arkansas State in San Marcos on Nov. 21, 2020 to snap a five-game losing streak to the Red Wolves. In the Bobcat win, sophomore quarterback Brady McBride threw for a career-high 443 yards and five touchdowns on 32-of-45 passing.
- In games played in Jonesboro, Ark., Texas State has never beaten Arkansas State in four tries.
- The two football programs have met eight times since first meeting on Nov. 16, 2013 in Jonesboro, Ark., with the Red Wolves winning 38-21. Texas State, however, trails in the all-time record 2-6.
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