Texas State (6-5, 4-3) vs South Alabama (6-5, 5-2)

Friday, November 29, 2024
Hancock Whitney Stadium | Mobile, Alabama
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN+
            Pat Greenwood (Play-by-play)
            Brian Genard (Analyst)

Radio: KTSW 89.9 & Varsity Network (free app)
            Clint Shields (Play-by-play)
            Geff Gandy (Analyst)

X/Twitter Updates: @TXSTATEFOOTBALL

OPENING DRIVE

• Texas State had a historic 2023 season that saw the program win its first bowl game, in its first appearance, a 45-21 victory over Rice in the SERVEPRO First Responder Bowl.
• The Bobcats set an FBS-program record with eight wins in 2023.
• Texas State posted the highest home season attendance average the program has seen in 2024 (22,649) besting the 2023 total, and had two sellouts at UFCU Stadium in 2024 (UTSA & Arkansas State).
• TXST is coming off a 52-44 loss to Georgia State. Jordan McCloud threw for 302 yards and 3 TDs, all to Chris Dawn, Jr., while Beau Sparks had a program record 200 punt return yards and a punt return TD.
• Texas State became bowl eligible for the second consecutive season follow its 58-3 win over Southern Miss on Nov. 16.
• The Bobcats can secure back-to-back winning seasons with a victory on Saturday, the first time since the 2008-09 seasons.
• South Alabama enters the match up 6-5 overall with a 5-2 record in conference play and is riding a two-game win streak with victories over Louisiana and Southern Miss.

A WIN VS SOUTH ALABAMA MEANS

• The Bobcats improve to 6-5 in the all-time series with South Alabama.
• TXST wins on the road for the first time in the series after going 5-0 at home.
• Texas State wins 7 regular season games for the third time since entering the FBS ranks in 2012 (2014, 2023).
• TXST secures back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2008 (8-5) - 2009 (7-4).
• The Bobcats win 3 games in November for the first time since 2014 (3-2).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL FRIDAY
Friday's game will be the fourth non-Saturday game for the Bobcats in 2024. They currently have a record of 1-2 in those contests. TXST has not played four non-Saturday games in a season since 1942.
 
VICTORY STAR
Texas State played in, and won, its first bowl game in 2023, a 45-21 victory over Rice in the SERVEPRO First Responder Bowl.

• The Bobcats set an FBS program record for wins in a season with 8.
• The last time Texas State had 8 wins in a season was in 2008 when the Bobcats were 8-4 in the regular season and finished the year with a first-round loss at Montana in the Division I-AA (FCS) Playoffs first round.
• Texas State has 14 seasons in its program history with 8 or more wins.

THE KINNE EFFECT
In his first year, Texas State head coach GJ Kinne took the Bobcats to a place they have never gone -- a bowl game -- and did something that has not been done in 40 years.

• Kinne is the first Texas State head coach to have a winning season in his first campaign at the helm of the Bobcats since Dennis Franchione in 1990 (6-5).
• With the bowl win, Kinne became the first, first-year head coach at Texas State to win 8 or more games since John O'Hara in 1983 (9-3). O'Hara took over the Bobcats after they won back-to-back DII national championships under Jim Wacker in 1981 and 1982.
• Prior to Kinne, only 2 Texas State head coaches in the program's history had won 8 or more games in their first season: O'Hara (1983) and Bill Miller (8-2 in 1965).
• Kinne was named the 21st head coach in Texas State's history on Dec. 2, 2022 (one day after his 34th birthday).

EXCITING BRAND OF FOOTBALL
One thing that GJ Kinne and the rest of the Texas State coaching staff installed in their first year was an offense that has produced at its highest level in the Bobcats' FBS history.

• Texas State finished the 2023 season ranked 11th in the country in scoring offense (36.7) and 15th in total offense (457.6).
• Texas State finished 28th in the country in passing offense (270.9) and 26th in rushing offense (186.7).
• Entering 2023 as an FBS team, Texas State had never ranked higher than 24th in the nation in total offense. In 2014, the Bobcats finished the season 24th in total offense, which was the only time they had been in the nation's top-50 in that category.
• Also entering the season, Texas State's highest finish as an FBS team in rushing offense was 18th (2014) and passing offense was 56th (2020).
• Its best finish in scoring offense at the FBS level was 31st in 2014.
• The Texas State offense averaged 132.4 more yards per game in 2023 compared to 2022.

TXST in 2024
Category | Total | Rank   
Total Offense | 469.3 | 7 
Scoring Offense | 36.4 | 16         
Passing Offense | 267. | 30        
Rushing Offense | 202.2 | 20     
 
ON THE OFFENSIVE
While Texas State's offense finished 11th in the country in scoring offense, it became the nation's most improved scoring offense over the 2023 season.

• Texas State improved its scoring output from 21.1 points per game in 2022 to 36.7 in 2023 (+15.6). (36.4 in 2024)
• The Bobcats' 36.7 points per game in 2023 marked the first time they have averaged more than 28 points per game since 2014 when they averaged 33.8.

A FINE LINE
TXST State has started the same offensive line every game in 2024 - Strawn, Jones, Todd, Lockette, Harkey. The Bobcats are 1 of 4 FBS teams (Kansas, Texas, Wisconsin) to do so this season. The group has combined for 125 career starts, led by Nash Jones with 50.

LET'S GET ACTIVE
Quarterback Jordan McCloud ranks in the top five among FBS active players in touchdown passes and total TDs responsible for and the top 20 for completions, completion %, passing yards, total plays and total offense.

TD passes | 86 (5)
Total TDs responsible for | 105 (5)
Passing Yards | 9,580 (13)
Total Plays | 1,573 (13)
Total Offense |  10,537 (14)
Completions |  799 (12)
Completion %  | 65.0% (17)

Ismail Mahdi is also an active national leader for all-purpose yards, leading the country in all purpose-yards per game.

All-purpose YPG | 141.46 (1)
Rushing YPG | 90.6 (9)
Rushes/Game | 16.08 (9)

STAYIN' ALIVE
Two Bobcats have a streak of 25+ games with a reception, making TXST 1 of only 3 FBS teams with two players on the list (Utah, Missouri).
Joey Hobert sits at 33 dating back to Dec. 31, 2021, while Kole Wilson is at 29 starting Nov. 5, 2022.
Hobert had his 4th multi-TD game at Texas State, and 9th overall, against Arkansas State.

2024 games
vs. Lamar | 6-91, 2TD
vs. Sam Houston | 8-75, 2TD
vs. Arkansas State | 10-101, 2TD

• Hobert was one of the top targets for Texas State in 2023.
• Led the team with 76 receptions for 895 yards and 8 receiving touchdowns.
• Receptions and receiving yards were both FBS program records.
• Hobert, who missed 2 of the last 3 games of the season, is second all-time on TXST's single-season reception list.
• Hobert -- as well as Kole Wilson -- are tied for 5th in the program's history for most receiving touchdowns in a season with the 8.
• The pair also both rank in the top 10 for career receptions and receiving TDs, while Hobert adds receiving yards.

IN THE RANKINGS
TXST players in the nation's top 20...

McCloud           
Passing TDs | 28 (5)
Pts Responsible For | 208 (3)
Pts Res For/Game | 18.9 (4)
Completion %  69.1 | (10)
Passing Efficiency | 159.9 (12)

Nolan  
Fumbles Recovered | 2 (8)

Sparks
Punt return TDs | 1 (2)

FAST START
The Bobcats have outscored their opponents 141-41 in the first quarter of games this season and 240-133 through the first half. TXST has also held 5 opponents (Lamar, Sam Houston, Troy, ULM & Southern Miss) scoreless in the first quarter and 2 in the first half (Lamar & ULM).

TAKE BACK TEXAS
Texas State has a .583 winning % dating back to the start of the 2023 season, and is one of only four FBS teams in Texas to win eight games in 2023.

	2024	2023	Total	%
Texas	10-1	12-2	22-3	.880
SMU	10-1	11-3	21-4	.840
Texas A&M	8-3	7-6	15-9	.625
UTSA	6-5	9-4	15-9	.625
TXST	6-5	8-5	14-10	.583
Texas Tech	7-4	7-6	14-10	.583
TCU	7-4	5-7	12-11	.521
Sam Houston	8-3	3-9	11-12	.478
North Texas	5-6	5-7	10-13	.435
Baylor	7-4	3-9	10-13	.435
Rice	3-8	6-7	9-15	.375
Houston	4-7	4-8	8-15	.348
UTP	2-9	3-9	5-18	.217

HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN
The Bobcats sold out 2 of 7 home games this season with crowds of 28,000 against UTSA and Arkansas State. It was the first Sun Belt Conference sellout for TXST on Oct. 12.

Single-Game Attendance Highs (Home)
1. Sept. 24, 2016 - 33,133 Houston
2. Sept. 8, 2012 - 33,006 Texas Tech
3. Sept. 13, 2014 - 32,007 Navy
4. Sept. 23, 2017 - 31,333 UTSA
5.  Oct. 12, 2024 - 28,000 Arkansas State      
     Sept. 7, 2024 - 28,000 UTSA

• Highest single-season average - 22,649 (was 21,184)
• Only season with 2 games in the top 5 for largest crowds
• 4 games in 2024 in the top 15 for largest crowds

MAKING OUR POINT
While Texas State's offense was one of the highest scoring in the country in 2023, the season was also its highest scoring in the school's FBS history.

• Texas State set an FBS school record with 477 points scored, besting the previous mark of 406 set in 2014.
• The Bobcats are at 400 in 2024, marking only the third time in the school's FBS history that the Bobcats scored 400+ points in a single season (2023, 2014).
• The 477 points were the most points scored by TXST in any season besting the 470 in 13 games in 2008 as an FCS program. That year, Texas State scored 457 points in 12 regular season games (432 in 2023 regular season).
• Texas State scored 40+ points in 6 games last season, which topped the overall program record of 5 previously set in 1967 and 1983 (4 in 2024).

PLAY FAST, GO BIG
Part of Texas State's unprecedented scoring output in 2023 was its ability to play fast and hit big plays.

• The Bobcats tied for 19th in the nation with 215 plays from scrimmage of 10+ yards (189, 6th in 2024).
• Texas State had 76 plays of 20+ yards, which tied for 17th in the country (53 in 2024).
• TXST was tied for 13th in the country in pace of offense with a play every 24.9 seconds. Jacksonville State led the country at 20.3 (25.8 in 2024).

GOING FOR A DRIVE
Texas State's offense scored on 45% of its drives (57 TD, 15 FG on 160 drives) in 2023.
TXST sits at 48% in 2024, scoring on 61 of 126 drives.

• Texas State is 7-0 when scoring on 40 percent or higher of its offensive drives in a game this season - Lamar, UTSA, Sam Houston, Troy, Arkansas State, ULM, Southern Miss.
• Texas State averaged 10+ yards per play on 23 percent of its drives, which was 8th-best in the nation according to BCFToys.com (non-garbage time drives against FBS opponents only). Currently 20.4 in 2024.

TOTAL OFFENSE
Texas State's offense set the FBS program record for most yards in a season in 2023.

• Texas State's 5,961 total yards of offense bested the program's previous FBS record of 5,573 set in 2014.
• The overall program record for most yards of total offense in a season is 6,147 set in 2005 (14 games).
• The Bobcats had 486+ yards of offense 6 times in 2023, a yardage total they matched exactly to open the 2024 season.

450+ in 2024
Lamar | 486
UTSA | 504
Troy | 467
Arkansas State | 591
Southern Miss | 703 PROGRAM RECORD
Georgia State | 459
 
TOTAL OFFENSE, TXST'S FBS HISTORY
Top seasons since 2012

Rk	Year	Total Yds	Games
1.	2023	5961	13
2.	2014	5573	12
--	2024	5162	11
3.	2015	5000	12
4.	2012	4557	12

AIR ATTACK
Texas State's passing offense set the FBS and overall program record for most yards in a season in 2023.

• Texas State had 3,522 passing yards in 2023, which marked the first time since 2008 that the Bobcats totaled more than 3,000 yards in the air.
• The overall program record for passing yards in a season was 3,499 set in 2008 (13 games).
• Texas State had 200+ passing yards in all but 2 games in 2023 (9 of 11 in 2024).
• The Bobcats have only thrown for 3,000+ yards in a season 4 times in program history: 2003, 2008, 2009, 2023.
• Texas State has 5 300-yard passing games in 2024, which ties the FBS program record set in 2023.
• The Bobcats also set the overall program record for most completions in a season with 287. The previous record was 264 in 2009.

MOST PASSING YARDS, TXST HISTORY
Most passing yards in a season, overall history

Rk	Year	Passing Yds	Games
--	2024	2938	11
1.	2023	3522	13
2.	2008	3499	13
3.	2009	3178	11
4.	2003	3129	12

GROUND GAME
Despite throwing for more than 3,500 yards in 2023, the Bobcat offense was also one of the best in the country and in the program's FBS history in rushing.

• Texas State rushed for 2,439 yards last season, which was the second-most in the program's FBS history (2,862 in 2014).
• Texas State has now rushed for more than 2,000 yards in a season 6 times in the program's 12 years at the FBS level. The first 4 instances, though, were in the first 4 years in FBS (also 2023).
• The Bobcats finished the season as one of 35 FBS team to register 3,000+ passing yards and 2,000+ rushing yards.

MOST TEAM RUSHING YARDS IN A SEASON
Texas State's FBS history

Rk	Year	Rushing Yds	Attempts
1.	2014	2862	538
2.	2023	2439	529
3.	2015	2248	170
--	2024	2224	427
4.	2012	2152	413
5.	2013	2058	471

On the other side of the ball, Texas State has held opponents under 101 rushing yards four times this season and is 3-1 in those outings.
vs Lamar | 51 yds
vs UTSA | 82 yds
vs Arizona State | 101 yds
at Troy | 63 yds

TALKING THAT ISH
Texas State's leading rusher a season ago was Ismail Mahdi, who was named an All-American by four different organizations, had 1,331 rushing yards on 223 carries in 2023.

• Mahdi became the program's FBS record holder for rushing yards in a season, a feat he accomplished in his first season as a Bobcat after transferring from HCU.
• In addition to being the program's FBS record holder, Mahdi was the first 1,200-yard rusher at Texas State since Claude Mathis set the school's overall record with 1,595 yards in 1997.
• Mahdi is 4th in program history for most rushing yards in a season.
• There have been only 3 Bobcats who have rushed for 1,300 yards in a season including Mahdi. Claude Mathis (twice) and Donald Wilkerson (1994) accomplished the feat, while Mahdi became the first Bobcat to do it this century.
• Mahdi finished the 2023 season ranked 13th in the country in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (102.4).
• Mahdi had 6 100-yard games in 2023 and has 3 in 2024.

MOST RUSHING YARDS IN A SEASON
Texas State Overall History

Rk	Player	Rush Yds	Year
1.	Claude Mathis	1595	1997
2.	Claude Mathis	1593	1996
3.	Donald Wilkerson	1569	1994
4.	Ismail Mahdi	1331	2023
5.	Claude Mathis	1289	1995
6.	Roy Jackson	1187	1986

ALL-PURPOSE PLAYER
While Ismail Mahdi was the team's leading rusher, he led the nation in all-purpose yards.

• Mahdi entered the bowl season as the only player in the country with 2,000 or more all-purpose yards and finished as one of only two at 2,000+ (2,169).
• He also led the country in all-purpose yards per game with 166.85.
• Mahdi was named a first team All-American as an all-purpose player by CBS Sports/247Sports and a second team All-American as an all-purpose player by the FWAA, ESPN and The Athletic.
• Mahdi became the third Bobcat in the program's FBS history to earn first team All-America honors from a publication, joining Keenen Brown (PFF, 2018 as a tight end) and Jeremiah Haydel (ESPN, 2020 as a return specialist).
• Mahdi is the 48th different Bobcat in school history to be named an All-American.
• Mahdi added 12 total touchdowns to go with his 2,000+ all-purpose yards.
• Mahdi finished 3rd in the program's overall history for most all-purpose yards in a season (2,169).
• Mahdi's season-high for all-purpose yards in a game in 2023 was 316 yards at Southern Miss on Sept. 30 (138 kick return yards, 89 rushing yards, 89 receiving yards).

MOST ALL-PURPOSE YARDS IN A SEASON
Texas State program history

Rk	Yards	Player	Year
1.	2330	Karrington Bush	2008
2.	2264	Claude Mathis	1995
3.	2169	Ismail Mahdi	2023
4.	2048	Donald Wilkerson	1994
5.	1851	Claude Mathis	1996
6.	1750	Karrington Bush	2010

GETTING TO THE BACKFIELD
In addition to Texas State having one of the best offenses in the country, it finished second in the nation in TFLs and tied for 9th in sacks.

• Texas State registered 7 sacks in the opener against Lamar. The most for TXST in an FBS game behind eight vs Idaho on Oct. 4, 2024 and the most since six against South Alabama Nov. 5, 2023.
• The Bobcats have 32 sacks this season, finished with 40 in 2023.
• TXST is currently 13th in the nation (2 SBC) with 2.91 sacks/game and 11th (1 SBC) with 7.5 TFLs.
• The Bobcats had 108 TFLs in 2023, 2nd in the nation and an FBS program record, and were 16 shy of matching the overall program record of 124 set in 1982.
• Texas State's 40 sacks were an FBS program record and most in any season for Texas State since it had 41 in 1997.
• The overall program record for sacks in a season is 58.5 set in 1982.
• The Bobcats finished 9th in the country with an average of 3.08 sacks per game in 2023.
• Texas State had 7 games in 2023 of 10+ TFLs and 8 games of 3.0+ sacks - 2024: 3/7
• The Bobcats had 26 different players credited with a TFL and 19 with a sack in 2023.

THROUGH THE UPRIGHTS
Lou Groza Award Semifinalist Mason Shipley finished 2023 15-of-15 on field goals.

• Shipley tied his former teammate Seth Keller (2021, 2022) for the overall program record for most field goals made in a season.
• Shipley finished as one of two kickers to not miss a field goal in 2023.
• In 2022 & 2023 Texas State kickers (Shipley & Keller) went 30-of-32 on FB (93.8%).
• Shipley set the TXST and Sun Belt Conference record with a 60-yard field goal against Sam Houston (9.28).

RETURN POLICY
Texas State had 2 kick returns for touchdowns in 2023, including one by Ismail Mahdi (Sept. 30 at Southern Miss) and the other by Kole Wilson (Nov. 25 vs. South Alabama).

• TXST has a pair of return TDs in 2024 - Kenny Haynes 29-yard FR vs SHSU, Beau Sparks 80-yard PR vs Georgia State.
• It was only the second time in program history that the Bobcats have had 2 or more kick return TDs in a season (2 in 2013).
• Texas State ended the season as one of 7 teams in the country with multiple kick return TDs.
• The Bobcats finished the season ranked 5th in the nation in kick return average (26.08).
• Texas State led the nation in kick return yards with 1,017.
• Mahdi finished 14th in the nation in kick return average (25.6).
• Mahdi's 563 kick return yards were the 4th-most by a Bobcat in a season in TXST's FBS history.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
TXST has a handful of players with family NFL ties.

• Jordan McCloud - Brother - Ray Ray
• Joey Hobert - Father - Billy Joe
• Tory Spears - Father – Marcus
• Jordan Williams - Father Roy
• Drew Donley - Father - Doug / Mother - Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader