2022 Texas State Football | Game #5
Texas State (2-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) at James Madison (3-0, 1-0 Sun Belt)
Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
Bridgeforth Stadium | Harrisonburg, Va.
Kickoff: 12:30 PM CT/1:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
            Curt Dudley (Play-by-Play)
            Brian Barlow (Analyst)
            Corey Spector (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 opens conference play with a road game at James Madison on Saturday at 1:30 pm ET/12:30 pm CT at Bridgeforth Stadium. The game, which is James Madison's first home Sun Belt game in program history, can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on the Varsity Network as well as KTSW 89.9 FM.
 
The Bobcats are coming off their first shutout in 8 years, having defeated HCU 34-0 last week at Bobcat Stadium. Texas State finished its regular season nonconference slate 2-2, which is its best start to a season since 2016.
 
Texas State limited HCU to 142 total yards in the shutout victory, which was the fewest yards allowed by the Bobcats in the program's FBS history.
 
Saturday's contest will feature the Sun Belt's top two defenses as James Madison has held its opponents to 208.0 yards per game this year (3rd in the country) while Texas State has a total defense of 306.0 yards per game (25th in the country). The Dukes have only allowed 28.0 rushing yards per game this year, which is best in the nation.
 
While the Bobcats are coming off a convincing nonconference win, James Madison enters the game with a come-from-behind 32-28 victory over App State. The Dukes scored 29 unanswered points to earn their first ever Sun Belt win.
 
The Bobcats have won all 3 of their Sun Belt openers under head coach Jake Spavital and are 4-5 all-time in their first Sun Belt game of a season.
 
I, I'M A ONE WAY MOTORWAY

• Texas State is off to its best start since 2016 thanks to nonconference wins over FIU and HCU.
• The Bobcats have now started 2-2 or better in a season five times in their FBS history: 2012-14, 2016 and 2022.

 
I'M THE ONE THAT DRIVES AWAY

• Texas State enters the matchup at James Madison 25th in the country in total defense.
• The Bobcats trail only the Dukes (208.0) for the best total defense among Sun Belt teams this year.
• Texas State's 142 yards allowed last week against HCU were its fewest surrendered in the program's FBS era (since 2012).
• The Bobcats have allowed more than 315 yards in a game once this year (at Baylor, 501 yards). Last season, Texas State's fewest yards allowed in a game was 329 against South Alabama in its Sun Belt opener on Oct. 10.
• The Bobcats have not allowed 315 yards or less in 3 or more games in an entire season since 2018. That year, they also did it 3 times (twice in Sun Belt games).
• Last year, Texas State finished the season 103rd in the nation in total defense.

 
Fewest Yards Allowed in a Game
Jake Spavital Era (Since 2019)
1.         142      HCU                             Sept. 24, 2022*
2.         220      Nicholls                       Sept. 28, 2019
3.         274      at Nevada                   Sept. 3, 2022
4.         293      Wyoming                    Sept. 7, 2019
5.         297      Boston College            Sept. 26, 2020
6.         313      FIU                              Sept. 10, 2022
7.         330      South Alabama           Oct. 9, 2021
 
*Fewest allowed in program history as an FBS team
 
THEN FOLLOWS YOU BACK HOME

• Helping Texas State with a top-25 defense is its pass defense, which is 24th in the nation and first in the Sun Belt. The Bobcats have allowed 176.5 passing yards per game this year.
• Texas State is also 17th in the country in team passing efficiency defense.
• The Bobcats have only allowed one passing touchdown all year and are limiting opponents to 7.8 yards per completion and 5.04 yards per attempt.
• The lone passing touchdown surrendered was in the 3rd quarter at Baylor on Sept. 17.
• In 140 pass attempts by opponents, Texas State has allowed the one passing touchdown. Last year, Texas State allowed 27 passing touchdowns in 390 attempts.

 
I, I'M A STREET LIGHT SHINING

• Texas State's red zone defense enters the weekend 25th in the country.
• The Bobcats have allowed 7 scores on 11 red zone entries by opponents (72.7 percent). All 7 scores are touchdowns.
• Texas State did not allow HCU to enter the red zone last week and over the last two games, Bobcat opponents have made it to the red zone only twice.
• Opponents have scored only twice in the last 6 trips to the red zone over the last 3 games.
• Of the 7 red zone touchdowns by opponents, all are on the ground.
• The last time Texas State allowed a passing touchdown in the red zone was Nov. 20, 2021 at Coastal Carolina. It has surrendered a red zone passing touchdown in one of its last 8 games dating back to Nov. 2021.

 
I'M A WILD LIGHT BLINDING BRIGHT

• On the other side, the Texas State offense is 10-for-11 in the red zone (90.9 percent), which is the second-best percentage among Sun Belt teams and 42nd in the country.
• The Bobcats have scored on 6 straight red zone trips entering the game at James Madison.
• Of those last 6 trips, 4 have resulted in touchdowns. That 66.7 touchdown rate is better than Texas State's red zone touchdown rate for the season (63.6 percent).
• While Texas State has not allowed a red zone passing touchdown this year, all 7 of its red zone scores are on passing touchdowns. The Bobcats' last rushing touchdown in the red zone was in the 2021 season finale at Arkansas State (Nov. 27, 2021).

 
BURNING OFF AND ON

• Texas State limited HCU to 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) on third-down attempts last week, which was the best third down defensive performance by the Bobcats this season.
• The Bobcats have held opponents to 17-of-58 on third downs this year, which is 25th-best in the nation (29.3 percent).
• Texas State has held opponents to less than 30 percent on third downs in 3 of the 4 games this year.
• Last season, the Bobcats held opponents less than 30 percent on third down defense twice.

 
Third Down Defense by Texas State
Week-by-Week in 2022
Week 1            Nevada            4-14     28.6 percent
Week 2            FIU                   5-18     27.8 percent
Week 3            Baylor              4-11     36.4 percent
Week 4            HCU                 4-15     26.7 percent
Total                                        17-58   29.3 percent
 
IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE

• Kordell Rodgers recorded his third interception of the season last Saturday against HCU. He leads the team and is tied for 2nd in the nation in interceptions this year.
• Rodgers' 3 interceptions are already the most in a season by a Bobcat since his current teammate Jarron Morris had 4 in 2020.
• The record for most interceptions in a season by a Bobcat in the program's FBS era is 5, set by David Mims II in 2014.
• Rodgers' 6 career interceptions are tied with Morris for the second-most by a Bobcat in the program's FBS era. Craig Mager holds the school's FBS record with 7 interceptions from 2012 to 2014. The all-time career interceptions record for a Bobcat is 25 by Mac Sauls from 1964-67.

 
YOU LEARN TO LIVE AGAIN

• Jordan Revels, who moved from defensive line to outside linebacker this season, enters the Sun Belt opener against James Madison 2nd on the team in TFLs (4.5), 3rd in sacks (1.5), and 4th in tackles (20).
• The junior is approaching his career-high in TFLs of 6.5 set last season as well as his career-high in sacks (2.0 in 2021).
• He also has 4 quarterback hurries this year, giving him 14 in his career.
• He is tied for 9th in Texas State history in quarterback hurries, as he tied Jason Washington (1998-01) in last week's game against HCU when he had 2 hurries.
• Revels needs 4 more quarterback hurries to tie Marcus Clark (2007-10) and Travis Houston (2006-09) for 7th on the school's all-time list.
• Last year, Revels had 19 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and no sacks in the first 4 games of the year. This season, he has 20 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks.

 
IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE

• Ashtyn Hawkins continued to be the primary target for quarterback Layne Hatcher this year as the sophomore wide receiver had 6 receptions – tied for the team-high – in the win against HCU last week.
• Hawkins has 4+ catches in all 4 games this year, including a school-record 13 against Baylor on Sept. 17.
• Hawkins is tied for 3rd in the nation in receptions with a career-high 34.
• His 34 receptions this year would have ranked 3rd on last year's team after only playing 4 games so far this year (2021 leader: Marcell Barbee, 40).
• There have only been 12 Bobcats with more than 40 receptions in a single-season in the school's FBS era (last: Hutch White, 67, in 2019; FBS school record).
• Hawkins is averaging 8.5 catches per game this year.
• Hawkins' 34 catches are the most by a Bobcat in the first 4 games of a season in the school's FBS era. He also already has the most catches by a Bobcat in the first 5 games of a season in its FBS era (previous most: 31 by Hutch White in 2019).
• The last Sun Belt wide receiver to have more than 34 receptions in the first 4 games of a season was Casey Fitzgerald of North Texas in 2007 (38 in 4 games).

 
GIVE AND GIVE AGAIN

• Ashtyn Hawkins is not only making catches across the field this year, but he is also scoring touchdowns as he has a touchdown catch in 4 straight games entering this weekend against JMU.
• Hawkins has 5 total receiving touchdowns this year, which are tied for 7th most in the country.
• Hawkins is the first Bobcat with a touchdown reception in 4 straight games since current teammate Marcell Barbee did it in 5 consecutive games from Oct. 24-Nov. 21, 2020.

 
IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE

• After no touchdown catches in the first 3 games of the season, Marcell Barbee hauled in his first touchdown of the season last week against HCU.
• The senior's touchdown reception against the Huskies was the 16th of his career, which is tied for 4th in Texas State history (other tied for 4th: Daren Dillard, 16, from 2008-10).
• He is one touchdown catch behind teammate Javen Banks and David Vela (1979-82) for 3rd on Texas State's career receiving touchdowns list.
• Of the 52 receiving touchdowns by Bobcats since the 2020 season, Barbee and Banks have 50 percent of them (16 by Barbee, 10 by Banks).

 
Most Receiving Touchdowns
Texas State Career, All-Time
1.         32        Cameron Luke             2006-08
2.         19        Johnny Parker             1969-71
3.         17        David Vela                   1979-82
17        Javen Banks                2018-Current
5.         16        Marcell Barbee           2020-Current
16        Daren Dillard               2008-10
 
YOU LEARN TO LOVE AGAIN

• Layne Hatcher is coming off an HCU game in which he threw for a season-high 362 yards on 27-of-41 passing (65.9 percent) with 4 touchdowns.
• The passing yards were his most in a game since Nov. 13, 2021 when he was with Arkansas State against ULM.
• Meanwhile, the passing touchdowns fell one short of matching his career-high and were his most since the 2021 season opener with Arkansas State against Central Arkansas.
• Hatcher became the first Texas State quarterback to throw for 350+ yards in a game since Brady McBride threw for 443 yards and 5 touchdowns against Arkansas State on Nov. 21, 2020 (W, 47-45). Hatcher was one of two Arkansas State quarterbacks who played in that game (10-of-22, 254 yards, 2 TDs).
• Hatcher has thrown for 1,067 yards in the first 4 games this season, which are the most by a Bobcat to start a year since Tyler Jones had 1,076 passing yards in 2016.
• The most passing yards by a Bobcat in the program's FBS era is 1,376 by Tyler Jones in 2016. Hatcher needs 309 yards on Saturday to surpass that.

 
Most Passing Yards in First 4 Games
Texas State FBS Era (Since 2012)
1. Tyler Jones              1,076 yards     2016
2. Tyler Jones              1,073 yards     2014
3. Layne Hatcher         1067 yards      2022
 
IT'S TIMES LIKE THESE

• Layne Hatcher entered the season with 24 games of experience playing against Sun Belt teams. He has played in 36 career games overall in his collegiate career.
• In the 24 Sun Belt games, Hatcher is 431-of-681 (63.3 percent) with 51 touchdowns, 22 interceptions and 6,131 yards.
• Hatcher has the most passing yards of any quarterback in Sun Belt-only games since 2019. The next closest is former Louisiana quarterback Levi Lewis (4,930 yards) and the nearest active quarterback is Grayson McCall of Coastal Carolina (3,614 yards).

 
Hatcher in Sun Belt Games
Career (w/ Arkansas State from 2019-21)
2019    174-254, 23 TD, 8 INT, 2500 yards     8 games
2020    97-147, 14 TD, 2 INT, 1678 yards       8 games
2021    160-281, 14 TD, 12 INT, 1953 yards   8 games
 
TIME AND TIME AGAIN

• Lincoln Pare became Texas State's third different leading rusher in a game this season when he ran for 84 yards on a season-high 19 carries against HCU.
• The first-year Texas State player (Arkansas State transfer) also had 39 receiving yards to give him a team-best 123 all-purpose yards against the Huskies.
• The rushing yards were his most in a game since Nov. 7, 2020 with Arkansas State at Louisiana when he ran for 121 yards on 21 carries.
• The all-purpose yards were his most in a game since Nov. 20, 2021 with Arkansas State at Georgia State when he had 151 (33 rushing, 118 receiving).
• Pare's touches have increased game-to-game this year, going from 4 in the season opener at Nevada (1 rush, 3 receptions) to 23 in the last game against HCU. He had no more than 8 in a game this year (vs. FIU on Sept. 10) prior to last week's contest.

 
I, I'M A NEW DAY RISING

• Texas State matched its season-high for "big plays" in a game last week against HCU as the Bobcats had 6 plays of 20+ yards (last: Sept. 10 vs. FIU).
• Texas State has 16 offensive plays of 20+ yards this season. Of those 16, 12 are pass plays.
• The Bobcats have scored 6 of their 12 touchdowns this year on plays of 20+ yards: 4 pass plays, 1 rush and 1 interception return.
• Defensively, Texas State has given up 11 "big plays," of which 6 came in the game against #17 Baylor.

 
I'M A BRAND NEW SKY

• Head coach Jake Spavital has never lost a Sun Belt season opener leading the Bobcats as Texas State is looking to win its fourth straight conference opener with this week's game at JMU.
• In 2021, the Bobcats beat South Alabama at home, 33-31 in four overtimes.
• In 2020, Texas State beat ULM in Monroe, 38-17.
• In 2019, beat Georgia State in San Marcos, 37-34.
• The last time Texas State lost its conference opener was Sept. 15, 2018 at South Alabama (L, 31-41).
• Prior to the current 3-game conference opener winning streak, Texas State had lost 4 straight Sun Belt openers (2015-18).
• All-time, Texas State is 4-5 in Sun Belt openers.

 
TO HANG THE STARS UPON TONIGHT

• Texas State's shutout of HCU last week was its first shutout since August 30, 2014 (vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 65-0).
• It was also the first time it had not allowed a touchdown since Sept. 28, 2019 vs. Nicholls.
• In two wins, Texas State is averaging 6.0 points allowed. In its two losses, the Bobcats have allowed 40.0 points per game.
• The Bobcats are 6th among Sun Belt teams this year in scoring defense (23.0 points/game).

 
I AM A LITTLE DIVIDED

• All 4 of Texas State's games this season have been decided by 24 or more points.
• The average point differential for the Bobcats is 30.5 points: 31.5 margin of victory and 29.5 margin of defeat.
• It is the first time since 2016 that Texas State has played in 4 straight games decided by 24+ points. In 2016, the Bobcats played in 5 consecutive games of 24+ points (Oct. 22-Nov. 26, 2016).
• Last year, Texas State played in only two games decided by more than two scores. Of the 12 games, 8 were decided by single digits.
• Texas State's 2 victories of 24+ points this year are tied for its most as an FBS team. In 2012, the Bobcats also had 2 wins of 24+ points.

 
DO I STAY OR RUN AWAY

• Seth Keller kicked a field goal in the third quarter of the win against HCU last week, which were the first points scored by the Bobcats in third quarter all season. It snapped a streak of 12 third-quarter drives without points.
• The Bobcats went more than 58 minutes of game action in the third quarter without a point to start the year.
• In the third quarter, Texas State is being outscored 31-3. However, 24 of those 31 points by the opposition came in the season opener at Nevada on Sept. 3. In the last 3 games, the Bobcats have been outscored only 7-3 in the third quarter.
• In the other three quarters combined, the Bobcats are outscoring their opponents, 93-61.
• Of Texas State's 13 drives in the third quarter this year, 4 have ended with a turnover while 6 have resulted in a punt. The average third-quarter drive is 5 plays for 10.5 yards.
• On third downs in the third quarter, Texas State is 4-of-17 (23.5 percent). It is 25-of-64 (39.1 percent) on third downs for the entire season.
• Texas State's third down defense in the third quarter (33.3 percent) is the worst of any of the four quarters this year (next highest: 30.8 percent in the fourth quarter).