SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) — Brad Jackson threw for 180 yards and rushed for two touchdowns and Texas State beat Nicholls 35-3 in the Battle for the Paddle rivalry.
Lincoln Pare, Torrance Burgess Jr. and Greg Burrell all had rushing touchdowns for Texas State. Pare led all rushers with 64 yards on 15 carries. Kylen Evans had four catches for a game-high 88 yards receiving for Texas State.
Nicholls quarterback Deuce Hogan was 15-for-21 for 97 yards with an interception.
Texas State (3-1) will have a week off next week before starting its Sun Belt slate against Arkansas State on October 4.
The historic rivalry was just the second meeting between the two sides since 2011 and first since 2019. Texas State fully transitioned to the FBS in 2013. It's the third consecutive win in the series by Texas State; tied for the longest streak in the series. Texas State leads the series 17-15.
The Bobcats are back in action Saturday, Oct. 4 at Arkansas State.
Texas State Postgame Notes – September 20, 2025
Texas State 35 (3-1), Nicholls 3 (1-3)
Attendance: 31,500
UFCU Stadium (28,000) | San Marcos, Texas
Media Guide | Roster | Schedule
NEXT GAME: Saturday, October 4 | at Arkansas State | TBD
Captains: Brad Jackson, Lincoln Pare, Dorion Strawn, Kalil Alexander, Ryan Nolan, Treylin Payne, David Nunez
Series vs. Nicholls | 17-15
Home | 11-6
• The Bobcats extend their lead in the series to 17-15 and retain the Paddle in the 'Battle for the Paddle' rivalry.
• Texas State wins 3 non-conference games for the first time since 2023 (at Baylor, Jackson State, Nevada) and wins 3 of its first 4 games to open the season for the first time since 2023.
• The Bobcats move to 68-63 all-time against Southland Conference opponents with their last win coming against Lamar in 2024. The 17 wins over Nicholls would make them the Bobcats' most defeated SLC opponent (Lamar, 16)
• GJ Kinne wins his 19th game at the helm for TXST putting him one shy of being the 6th Bobcat coach to reach 20 wins at the FBS/FCS level.
HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN
The Bobcats sold out 2 of 7 home games in 2024 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 vs Houston
2. Sept. 8, 2012 - 33,006 vs Texas Tech
3. Sept. 13, 2014 - 32,007 vs Navy
4. Sept. 20, 2025 - 31,500 vs Nicholls
5. Sept. 23, 2017 - 31,333 vs UTSA
6. Oct. 12, 2024 - 28,000 vs Arkansas State
Sept. 7, 2024 - 28,000 vs UTSA
Records in 2024
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
TEAM NOTES
Head Coach GJ Kinne
Career Record: 31-13
Career FBS Record: 19-11
Record at TXST: 19-11
Score | TXST 35, Nicholls 3
Total Yards | TXST 401, Nicholls 224
Third game this season with 400+ total yards
First game holding an opponent to under 300 total yards
Rushing Yards | TXST 207, Nicholls 127
TXST had 4 players with rushing TDs
Second time this season with 3+ players with a rushing TD
Third time this season with 3+ rushing TDs
Last time with 5+ rushing TDs - UTSA 9/7/24
Passing Yards | TXST 194, Nicholls 97
First time holding an opponent to under 100 passing yards in 2025
Last time vs Southern Miss 11/16/24 (70)
Individual Stats
Brad Jackson | QB | R-Fr.
Passing: 13-20-180
Rushing: 8-27, 2 TD
Second 2+ rushing TD of 2025, 3rd career
Lincoln Pare | RB | R-Sr.
Rushing: 15-62, TD
Rushing TDs in 3 of 4 games in 2025
Treylin Payne | LB | Sr.
Team-high 6 tackles
4th game this season with 6+
Kalil Alexander | DE | R-Sr.
5 tackles, 1.0 sacks for 16 yards
Khamari Terrell | CB | R-Jr.
2 tackles, INT
