SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State football team went through its third fall scrimmage on Wednesday and afterward, head coach Everett Withers announced that Gabe Loyd, Gabe Schrade, Tyler Jones and Ryan Melton were voted to serve as team captains for the 2016 season.
 
"Gabe Loyd received the most votes in the election," said Withers. "That is really a synopsis of our football team. He came here in January, the same time as when I got here and is a captain already. He is an unbelievable young man who got the most votes because of his work ethic, how he takes on every day when he is out here and in the classroom. Here is a guy from Fort Scott (Community College) who has nearly a 4.0 GPA."
 
Loyd was an All-Kansas Jayhawk Conference Second-Team selection last season after he tallied 106 tackles and 21 tackles for loss. He also had 4.5 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown.
 
"Gabe Schrade is a junior and he was No. 2 in the votes. You look at the election and the top two (players in votes) are both juniors and will be back next year," Withers said. "Tyler Jones was third in votes and Ryan Melton was fourth."
 
Schrade is a two-year letterman who has played primarily on special teams throughout his collegiate career after being ranked among the Orlando Sentinel's top 23 players in Central Florida as a high school senior.
 
Jones is a three-year starting quarterback and ranks second among Texas State's career leaders in pass completions (569) and completion percentage (.619). He also is fourth among Texas State's career-leaders in pass yards (6,284), passing attempts (919) and touchdowns (44).
 
Melton also is a three-year starter as an offensive tackle. During the past two seasons, he has recorded 113.5 pancake blocks and gave up just two sacks in 2015. He is a preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second-Team selection this fall by Athlon, Phil Steele Publications and Lindy's.
 
Following the scrimmage, Withers also announced that Jones would be the starting quarterback for the Bobcats when they open the season at Ohio on Sept. 3.
 
"Right now, Tyler Jones is our starting quarterback," Withers said. "That is not to say Eddie Printz hasn't done a good job. He still is learning and growing in the offense. He has a lot of talent and he'll keep working and hopefully, give us a number 1 and 1A quarterbacks."
 
During Wednesday's scrimmage, Jones led the offense when he threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another TD. His first TD pass was a 15-yard strike to Eric Luna, and then he hit Thurman Morbley with a 25-yard TD pass. He also scored on a 10-yard TD run.
 
Jericho Worrell scored the first touchdown of the day with a 45-yard run and Anthony Taylor ran 30 yards for another TD.
 
The defense won the scrimmage as Javante O'Roy intercepted a pass and the Bobcats forced four turnovers. As a result of the loss, the offense had to run bear crawls across the field.
 
In addition to announcing that Jones is will open the season as Texas State's starting quarterback, Withers also pointed out that Brandon McDowell will be one of Texas State's returners this fall and redshirt freshman Marcus Ripley will open the season as the place kicker with senior Lumi Kaba kicking off and punting.
 
"There are a lot of guys who have been back there returning kicks, but I think Brandon McDowell is going to be one of our returners, whether if it is on kickoffs, punts or both" Withers said. "Right now, Marcus Ripley is our place kicker. He has won the job because he has been the most consistent throughout camp."
 
Following the scrimmage, the Bobcats will begin focusing their efforts on their season opener at Ohio on Sept. 3. After an open week, Texas State travels to Arkansas on Sept. 17 before the Bobcats host Houston in their home opener on Sept. 24, and play another home game against Incarnate Word on Oct. 1.
 
The Bobcats also have Sun Belt Conference home games against UL Lafayette on Oct. 22, Idaho on Nov. 12, Troy on Nov. 26 and Arkansas State on Dec. 3.
 
Season tickets are on sale for as low as $80 for the general public and $70 for members of the Bobcat Club and T-Association as well as faculty/staff and recent alumni. Fans can also purchase half-season tickets excluding the Houston game for as low as $40 or $50 if it includes the Houston contest. All tickets can be purchased online at www.txstatebobcats.com/tickets or by calling 512-245-2272.