Game #12
Texas State (4-7, 2-5 Sun Belt) vs. Louisiana (5-6, 3-4 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022
Bobcat Stadium | San Marcos, Texas
Kickoff: 4:02 PM
TV: ESPN+
            Brant Freeman (Play-by-play)
            Keith Moreland (Analyst)
            Katie Goodman (Sideline)
Radio: KTSW 89.9 & Varsity Network (free app)
            Clint Shields (Play-by-play)
            Geff Gandy (analyst)
Twitter Updates: @TXSTATEFOOTBALL
 
 
SETTING THE TABLE
Texas State will conclude the 2022 season with plenty of program marks and records at stake as it hosts Louisiana for Senior Day on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and heard on the Varsity Network app and KTSW 89.9 FM.
 
Texas State is 4-1 at home this season and looking to notch 5 home victories in a single season for the first time in 17 years. The Bobcats are also aiming for their most overall wins in a season since 2014.
 
The Bobcat defense, which has been the team's leading unit for the entirety of the season, is also looking to establish FBS program records in the major defensive statistical categories. It already owns the school's FBS record in TFLs and is 2 sacks away from matching that mark.
 
The Bobcats enter the season finale having snapped a 4-game losing streak with a come-from-behind 16-13 victory over Arkansas State last week. Texas State scored 13 of its 16 points in the fourth quarter, 7 of which were notched by reigning Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week Seth Keller. Keller kicked a career-long 49-yard field goal halfway through the fourth quarter to give Texas State a 13-10 lead, but he then hit a 29-yarder with 2 seconds left in the game to lift the Bobcats to their win.
 
Louisiana will arrive in San Marcos looking to become bowl-eligible. The Ragin' Cajuns are 5-6 (3-4 in the Sun Belt) but are 1-4 away from Lafayette this year.
 
Texas State has never beaten Louisiana as it trails in the all-time series, 0-9. The Bobcats are 0-4 in San Marcos in the series. They lost the last meeting in 2020 by a score of 44-34.
 
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

• Texas State is 4-1 at home this season, which is its best record in San Marcos since 2013.
• In 2013, the Bobcats finished the season 4-2 at home.
• The last time Texas State went 5-1 at home in a season was 2005 when it finished the regular season 7-0. It went 8-1 after hosting 2 Division I-AA playoff games.
• Texas State is outscoring its opponents, 141-69, at home this year. By average, the Bobcats are outscoring opponents in San Marcos, 28.2-13.8.

 
YEAR OVER YEAR

• Texas State's defense has dramatically improved from last season and measured in several major statistical categories.
• Under defensive coordinator Zac Spavital – who was a Broyles Award nominee which is given to the top FBS assistant coach – Texas State enters the final week of the season 61 spots ahead of where it was in total defense last year.
• The Bobcats are 42nd in the country in total defense entering this week, up from last year's finish of 103rd.
• In 2021, Texas State allowed 430.4 yards per game. This year, the Bobcats are allowing 354.3 yards per game.
• Texas State's run defense is powering the change as it has allowed 111.7 yards on the ground per game this year. Last year, Texas State allowed 183.6 rushing yards per game.
• The Bobcats are 20th in the country in rush defense this season (101st last year).
• Texas State has also seen an 8-point-per-game improvement in scoring defense year-over-year. The Bobcats are allowing 25.0 points per game this year, after allowing 33.0 points last season.
• On a per play basis, Texas State is allowing 5.2 yards this season. Last year, the Bobcats surrendered 5.8 yards per play.
• The Bobcats have never finished better than 53rd in the nation in total defense (currently 42nd this season) and 39th in rush defense (currently 20th).
• They also have never finished higher than 70th in the country in scoring defense (55th so far this season).

 
FEWEST IN 4 YEARS

• Texas State allowed 291 total yards to Arkansas State, which were its fewest allowed in conference game Nov. 17, 2018 at Troy.
• The Bobcats have held opponents to less than 300 yards in its FBS history 17 times – and 8 times against conference opponents.
• Of those 17 times, 3 have been this season: 136 vs. Houston Christian on Sept. 24; 274 at Nevada on Sept. 3; and 291 vs. Arkansas State on Nov. 19.
• Prior to this season, Texas State had held an opponent to less than 300 yards in a game 3 times over the last 3 seasons (2018-20). It has already matched that total this year.

 
Allowing Less than 300 Yards in a Conference Game, by Fewest Yards
Texas State, FBS History (Since 2012)
1.   181      ULM                              Nov. 19, 2015
2.   183      at Coastal Carolina       Oct. 28, 2017
3.   192      ULM                              Oct. 12, 2013
4.   215      Georgia Southern         Oct. 11, 2018
5.   220      at Troy                          Nov. 17, 2018
6.   268      Georgia Southern         Nov. 8, 2014
7.   283      App State                      Sept. 16, 2017
8.   291      Arkansas State              Nov. 19, 2022
 
BEST IN TEXAS STATE'S FBS HISTORY

• Texas State's defense this season is setting a new standard for the program in its FBS era, which started with the 2012 season.
• The Bobcats this year are first or second in 8 statistical defensive categories for its FBS history.
• In 10 seasons of FBS football entering 2022, Texas State had not averaged less than 383 yards per game. This season, it is averaging 354.3 yards against.

 
Texas State Defense
Statistical Rankings in Program's FBS History
Total Defense            354.3          1st
Rush Defense             111.7          1st
Pass Defense             242.5          3rd
Scoring Defense         25.0            1st
TFLs                            71.0            1st
Sacks                          26               1st
Turnovers                  19               T-2nd
Yards/Play                 5.2              1st
Points/Drive              2.11            2nd
 
DEFENDING THE RUSH

• In addition to ranking 20th in the country in overall rush defense, Texas State is top-20 in yards allowed per carry and improved from last season.
• Texas State is allowing 3.4 yards per rush this season, which are the 19th-fewest by an FBS team.
• Last year, Texas State allowed 4.6 yards per carry, which was 90th-best in the nation.
• Texas State has surrendered 2.5 yards per carry over the last 3 games, which is 7th-best among FBS teams over that stretch.

 
AT A LOSS

• Texas State had 8.0 TFLs last week against Arkansas State, giving it 71.0 this season.
  The Bobcats' 71.0 TFLs are a program record in their FBS era, surpassing the previous best of 63.0 set in 2016.
• Texas State has 8.0 or more TFLs in 3 of the last 4 games.
• The Bobcats are averaging 6.5 TFLs per game this year, which is 37th-best in the nation.
• Levi Bell (11.5 TFLs) and Jordan Revels (11.0) lead the team in TFLs.

 
REVELING IN THE FACT

• Jordan Revels had 1.5 TFLs among his 5 tackles last weekend against Arkansas State, giving him a career-high 11.0 this season.
• Both Revels and Levi Bell are approaching Texas State's all-time top-10 for most TFLs in a season. Revels is 2.0 TFLs shy of making the top-10 while Bell is 1.5.
• The FBS school record for Texas State is 13.0, set by Nico Ezidore in 2020.
• Revels is currently the 10th-rated edge defender in PFF Defense Grades this season. He is first among edge defenders in PFF Run Defense Grades.

 
Most TFLs in a Single Season
Texas State History
1.   19.0       Greg Pitts                   2002
…
9.   13.0       Nico Ezidore              2020
      13.0       Jeremy Castillo          2005
      13.0       Glenn Settles             2002
      13.0       C.J. Carroll                 1999
      13.0       Cyril Friday                1982
 
      11.5       Levi Bell                     2022
      11.0       Jordan Revels            2022
 
SACK PACK

• Texas State had 1.0 sack in the game against Arkansas State, which was its fewest in a game since Oct. 1 at James Madison, but it still added to the team's total that is approaching a school FBS record.
• The Bobcats have 26.0 sacks this season, which are 2 shy of the program's FBS record of 28.0 set in 2014.
• The overall program record for sacks in a season is 31.0, set in 2011. The Bobcats have not had more than 4.0 sacks in a game this year.
• Last year, Texas State had 18.0 sacks and 13.0 in conference play. This year, it has 17.0 in Sun Belt games.
• Levi Bell and Nelson Mbanasor both have 5.0 sacks each to help them lead the team and are the most by a Bobcat since 2017.
• Jordan Revels has a career-high 4.5 sacks as well.
• Bell, Mbanasor and Revels all have a shot at moving into 2nd in the school's FBS history in sacks in a single season.

 
Most Sacks in a Season
Texas State, FBS Era (Since 2012)
1.     9.0       Michael Odiari      2014
2.     5.5       Joplo Bartu            2012
3.     5.0       Levi Bell                 2022
        5.0       Nelson Mbanasor 2022
        5.0       Gabe Loyd             2017
 
DOWN BUT NOT OUT

• Texas State's win against Arkansas State was its first when trailing entering the 4th quarter since Oct. 10, 2021 against South Alabama (W, 33-31 in 4 OTs).
• In both games, Texas State trailed by 7 entering the final quarter of regulation.
• Texas State was 0-5 this season when trailing at halftime prior to last week and on a 7-game losing streak in such games.

 
SAVING IT FOR LAST

• Helping lift Texas State to its first win this season when trailing after 3 quarters was its 13-point showing in the 4th quarter against Arkansas State.
• The Bobcats outscored the Red Wolves, 13-3, in the 4th quarter.
• Texas State has scored 46 percent of its total points over the last 4 games in the 4th quarter (37 4th quarter points, 81 total points).
• In the first 7 games of the season, Texas State scored 44 points in the 4th quarter.
• For the season, 81 of Texas State's 240 points have been scored in the 4th quarter (34 percent).
• Over the last 3 weeks, Texas State is averaging 10.0 points in the fourth quarter, which is 21st-best in the country.
• The Bobcats average 11.0 fourth quarter points in home games this year, which is the 16th-most among FBS teams.
• Last year, Texas State averaged 3.7 points in the fourth quarter. This year, it is averaging 7.4 points.

 
4th Quarter Points
Texas State, Last 4 Games
Date       Opponent                     4th Quarter Points    Total Points
10/22     Southern Miss              7                                14
11/5       ULM                              3                                30
11/12     South Alabama             14                              21
11/19     Arkansas State              13                              16
 
LESS THAN 20

• Texas State's defense limited Arkansas State to 13 points last weekend, which was the 4th time this season the Bobcats have held their opponents to less than 20 points.
• It is the first time in Texas State's FBS history that it has held 4 opponents to less than 20 points in a game in a single season.
• The last time Texas State turned the feat in its program history was 2006. That year, Texas State held Northern Colorado (L, 13-14), McNeese State (W, 27-17), Southeastern La. (W, 38-17), and Northwestern State (L, 10-19) to under 20 points.
• The last time Texas State held opponents to under 20 points in 5 or more games in a season was 2005.

 
STANDOUT IN CONFERENCE

• For the second time this season and third time in his career, Seth Keller was named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
• Keller was 3-of-3 last weekend in the win against Arkansas State and accounted for 10 of the 16 Texas State points.
• Keller's biggest kick came with two seconds remaining on the clock when he hit a 29-yard field goal to break a tie and give the Bobcats their eventual game-deciding lead of 16-13.
• Keller had hit a go-ahead field goal three minutes earlier with a career-long of 49 yards.
• He also opened the game with a 25-yard field goal on the opening drive of the game.
• The 3 field goals made matched his season-high.
• The game-winning field goal was a moment of redemption for Keller, who missed the possible game-winner in the closing seconds at ULM two weeks ago. He missed a 38-yard attempt in Monroe with 7 seconds remaining as the Bobcats lost 31-30.

 
KICKING THE RECORD BOOKS

• Seth Keller enters the season finale in need of one field goal made to tie the Texas State school record for career makes.
• Keller has 35 career field goals, which are 3rd-most in school history.
• Keller trails Will Johnson (2011-14) and Ray Whitehead (1991-94) for the top spot. Johnson and Whitehead both have 36 career field goals made.
• Keller, who set the program record for field goals made in a season last year with 15, is 12-of-14 in field goals this season. The 12 field goals made are tied for 7th most in a season by a Bobcat.
• Keller is currently the most accurate kicker in Texas State history with a career field goal percentage of 85.37 (35-of-41). He leads Ray Whitehead (80 percent; 36-of-45) on the all-time list.

 
Most Career Field Goals Made
Texas State History
1.   36          Will Johnson           2011-14
      36          Ray Whitehead       1991-94
3.   35          Seth Keller              2020-Current
4.   34          Andrew Ireland      2006-08
 
PASSING THE RECORDS ON

• Layne Hatcher has put up one of the best statistical seasons by a Bobcat quarterback in program history, all in his first year at Texas State after transferring from Arkansas State.
• Hatcher, who has played every snap for the Bobcats at quarterback this year, is 262-of-415 with 2,520 yards and 19 touchdowns.
• His 262 completions are already the most ever by a Bobcat quarterback in a single season. He passed Bradley George (258 in 2009) for the top spot last week against Arkansas State.
• Hatcher's 415 pass attempts are the 2nd-most by a Texas State quarterback in program history. He trails Barrick Nealy, who had 473 in 2003, for the top spot on the list.
• Hatcher's 2,520 passing yards are 6th-most in program history. He is 140 yards away from matching Bradley George (2,660 in 2008) for 5th on the list and 150 from Tyler Jones (2,670 in 2014) for 4th.
• And finally, Hatcher's 19 passing touchdowns are 6th-most in school history, and he is 2 shy of matching Barrick Nealy for 4th on the list. Nealy had 21 passing touchdowns in both 2003 and 2005. The program record is 26 set by Bradley George in 2008.
• Of note, Bradley George is being inducted into the Texas State Hall of Honor this weekend as a member of the two-person Class of 2022.
• Hatcher's 262 completions are also 3 shy of cracking Texas State's all-time top-10 for career completions. He is 3 shy of Pence Dacus (262 from 1951-53) for 10th on the all-time list.

 
10,000 FOR A CAREER

• In addition to single-season marks for Texas State program history, Layne Hatcher is also nearing a career milestone.
• Hatcher needs 53 passing yards on Saturday against Louisiana to reach 10,000 in his career.
• Hatcher has 9,947 passing yards since taking his first college snap in 2019 at Arkansas State.
• Prior to this season's 2,520 passing yards, Hatcher had 7,427 passing yards in 3 seasons with the Red Wolves.
• Hatcher has 300-yard passing games in 2 of his 3 career games against Louisiana (2019 and 2021).
• Hatcher is looking to become the 12th active Division I FBS quarterback with 10,000 career passing yards.
• Also, Hatcher enters this week as one of 10 active Division I FBS quarterbacks with 80+ career passing touchdowns.

 
Most Career Passing Yards
Active Division I FBS Quarterbacks
1.     Holton Ahlers                              ECU                    13,319
2.     Sam Hartman                              Wake Forest       12,340
3.     Clayton Tune                               Houston             11,379
4.     Jarret Doege                                Troy                    11,069
5.     Dillon Gabriel                              Oklahoma          10,513
6.     Bo Nix                                          Oregon               10,312
7.     Chris Reynolds                             Charlotte            10,262
8.     Dorian Thompson-Robinson       UCLA                  10,235
9.     Charlie Brewer                            Liberty                10,202
10.   Will Rogers                                  Mississippi State 10,189
11.   Sean Clifford                                Penn State         10,180
12.   Layne Hatcher                             Texas State         9,947
13.   Adrian Martinez                          K-State               9,752
14.   Kedon Slovis                                Pitt                     9,711
15.   Malik Cunningham                      Louisville            9,644
 
CAREER LEADER

• Last weekend against Arkansas State, Seamus O'Kelly moved closer to becoming the top punter in the Texas State record books.
• The junior from Brisbane, Australia is 43 yards away from becoming Texas State's leading punter in terms of punt yards. He is currently 2nd in school history with 9,946 punt yards and trails Rick Barrow (1997-2000) for 1st on the all-time list.
• O'Kelly enters the final weekend with 252 career punts, which are the most ever by a Bobcat punter.
• O'Kelly is currently 97th all-time in NCAA history in punt yards and 4th among active FBS punters.
• O'Kelly's 2,792 punt yards this year are a career-high and most since he had 2,515 in his freshman season in 2019.
• The 2,792 punt yards are 7th-most in a single season by a Texas State punter. There have only been 2 punters in Texas State history with 3,000 punt yards in a season: Marcus Ripley (3,433 in 2017) and Lumi Kaba (3,098 in 2016).
• His punt average of 40.5 yards is his second-best clip in his Texas State career-high.
• O'Kelly also has career-highs in punts of 50+ yards (8) and fair catches (34).

 
Most Career Punt Yards
Active FBS Punters
1.      14,876             Adam Korsak            Rutgers
2.      11,333             Kyle Greenwell         UAB
3.      10,511             Rhys Byrns               Louisiana
4.      9,946               Seamus O'Kelly        Texas State
5.      9,939               Matt Hayball            Vanderbilt