SAN MARCOS, Texas – A back-and-forth contest took place Saturday night at Bobcat Stadium that ended with Texas State falling 42-34 to Incarnate Word.
 
The Bobcats drop to 1-2 on the season, and the Cardinals are now 2-1.
 
The opening drive stalled for the Bobcats in their half of the field. However, a muffed punt by the Cardinals allowed TXST to take over again 29 yards from pay dirt. Facing 3rd & 10, Brady McBride found Seth Caillouet over the middle for 23 yards. Two plays later, Jahmyl Jeter punched it in from a yard out for an early 7-0 lead.
 
UIW responded by driving 71 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The visitors followed with a 32-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 advantage with 1:01 left in the first quarter.
 
The Bobcats came back to tie the score with a 16-play, 78-yard drive that took 7:04 off the clock. McBride completed passes to Drue Jackson, Julian Ortega-Jones and Brock Sturges on third downs during the drive. Sturges accounted for 17 of the final 18 yards, while Jeter scored his second touchdown of the game from a yard out to tie the contest.
 
The Cardinals nearly found the end zone for the third time, but Drake Johnson came up big with a forced fumble. Chris Mills fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchback.
 
Going 64 yards in four minutes, Seth Keller converted a 33-yard field goal to put TXST ahead 17-14.
 
A deflected pass saw Zion Childress make a diving interception to end a UIW drive and send the Bobcats into halftime in front.
 
On the Cardinals' first drive of the second half, they went 74 yards in 1:45 that concluded with Marcus Cooper running in for a touchdown from nine yards out. The score put the visitors back ahead 21-17.
 
Totaling 48 yards on the ground with 41 coming from Jeter, Texas State faced second and goal from the 18. Getting out of pressure, McBride threw a pass to the back area of the end zone where Marcell Barbee was able to extend and keep both feet in bounds. The score put TXST back in front by three.
 
A muffed punt gave UIW a short field late in the third quarter. The Cardinals would take advantage as Cameron Ward found Robert Ferrel for a second touchdown between the duo to take a 28-24 lead.
 
On the very next drive, the Bobcats slowly chewed up the clock on a 65-yard drive that spanned 14 plays, with the longest play being an 11-yard pass to Donnovan Moorer. On a run-pass option play at the four-yard line, McBride evaded a defender to find a wide-open Barbee for his second touchdown of the game and 13th in his career as TXST went back in front 31-28.
 
Texas State's defense forced a 3-and-out. However, a fumble two plays into the offense's drive gave the visitors a short field. Ward eventually connected with Darion Chafin from eight yards out to put the Cardinals back ahead. They would add another touchdown with 2:48 remaining on the clock to go up by 11.
 
Seth Keller kicked a 37-yard field goal with 58 seconds left on the clock to cut the deficit to 42-34. The ensuing onside kick was batted by UIW's Grimes off a Bobcat's helmet that kept the ball in play. Unfortunately, a Cardinal was able to get to the ball first to seal their win.
 
McBride extended his streak to 13 games with a touchdown pass with two on the evening. He also completed 25-of-41 passes for 278 yards.
 
Calvin Hill ran for a game-high 78 yards on 16 carries. Jeter added 46 yards and Sturges totaled 40 on the ground.
 
On defense, Michael LoVett III and Jordan Revels led the Bobcats with seven tackles apiece. The total for Revels set a new career high. TXST also forced seven fumbles, which is the most by a FBS team in a game this season.
 
Up next for Texas State is a trip northward to take on Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 25 with kickoff set for 1 p.m. CT.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Football head coach Jake Spavital, freshman safety Zion Childress and junior wide receiver Chandler Speights following game against UIW.

Head Coach Jake Spavital















Freshman Zion Childress















Junior Chandler Speights