Sunday, October 11, 2009
Southeastern Bewilders Bobcats With 24-Point Comeback, Overtime Win
Well what do you say after a day like today? With the Bobcats up 44-20 with about 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, it seemed as if the Texas State Southland Conference opener was in hand and the Bobcats would start their championship defense. Southeastern Louisiana scored a touchdown with 9 minutes left and it was almost seemed insignificant. So did the 2 point conversion that made it 44-28.
Then, after twenty-five minutes that saw two more Lion 2 point conversions, a blocked Texas State punt, two touchdowns for Lion RB Jasper Ducksworth, two 3 and out’s for the Bobcats, and finally a missed Texas State extra point that would have forced a second overtime, Bobcat players, coaches and fans sat stunned while the Lions celebrated a 51-50 overtime win. This loss, coupled with a tough loss at Southern Utah last week, could be a crushing blow to Texas State’s season, SLC conference start and standings, and Drive for FBS if the Bobcats aren't resilient from here on out.
The game started simply enough as the Bobcats kicked a field goal to take the first lead of the game. Suspect rushing defense by Texas State let the Lions stick around until late in the second quarter when Bradley George threw his first touchdown pass of the night and made the game 24-13. Tim Hawkins had more yards rushing in the first half than Karrington Bush off of a 59-yard touchdown scramble. At that point, everything seemed to be going right for the Bobcats, and the second half started just as well for them. The Bobcats scored on a Bush TD run, then defense surrendered score. Alvin Canady answered back with TD run. The Texas State defense then STOPS a fake punt and Karrington Bush rumbled in for a TD run a few plays later. Then we're back to where we started, 44-20, about ten minutes left.
The Bobcats then showed how tough it can be to close out a victory in the FCS. That's when the epic meltdown occurred and the Bobcats lost their first game against the Lions...ever. It will show up that the Bobcats gave up 51 points to a team that should have been held to 14 points maybe 21. Give the Lions a lot of credit, they didn't give up when they were down by four scores. At the same time, it's still stunning that the Bobcats were able to give up such a lead in ten minutes. This loss hurts because it will likely hurt fan attendance and possibly the program's momentum in the Drive to FBS.
Overall though some good things did happen, the Bobcats have shown the explosiveness they can have with the new “Wildcat” offense, promptly named by a few students as the “Supercat” offense. That offense shows the talents of Tim Hawkins, Karrington Bush, all receivers, Alvin Canady, Frank Reddic, and Bradley George (at the WR position). Bobcat fans also saw the talents of some of the Texas State defensive backs. There is some young talent to look forward to watching this year and years to come: Derek Lopez, Mario Wiggins, and Darryl Morris. These young men have some talent.
Bobcat fans will have to hope that this loss the motivating force that could drive the team to go undefeated the rest of the year. This is the type of game that etches itself in the back of the minds of players. Texas State will return to action next week as they travel to Thibodaux to face Nicholls in the second game of SLC play. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm, and pregame coverage begins on KTSW at 11:30 am.
-Will McGinnis, KTSW Sports Staff Writer
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1 comment:
This isn't fantasy football. I don't care what the statistics were for Bradley George or Carrington Bush. The Bobcats suffered an embarrassing loss, no two ways about it. Texas State continues to have a very poor defense. Perhaps we don't have the talent on that side of the ball or maybe the talent is on the sideline. To get beat on several jump balls on deep thrown balls is inexcusable. We have one cornerback out there who has an injured shoulder and, frankly, is timid to hit anyone. And now we know he can't jump. Point No. 2: Why are we the only college team in the country whose punter stands seven yards behind the line? It looks like a quick kick. I'm surprised more punts don't get blocked. Don't we have a deep snapper who can center the ball the normal depth? Point No. 3: I know George has a bunch of records and a million yards throwing, but he misses so many easy downfield throws because he does not step and throw and follow through on his throws. He just flips the ball. Now, he may have an incredibly strong arm and can 'flip' the ball 40 yards effortlessly. But those 20-yard-or-so throws down field -- not to mention to deep balls -- need to be precision darts and it just can't be done with that flipping motion. He came in as a baseball player and I know he didn't throw a baseball like that. Step and throw. Actually, his best throws come when he rolls out and fires the ball on the run. So, Coach Wright, roll George out more frequently. And, finally, point No. 4. Where in the hell was Frank Reddic on Saturday? Bush had a good night, but must have been fatigued in the fourth quarter. Reddic is going to be a star, and while he's only a freshman, he never fails to produce. Use him.
These problems are easily fixable. Bobcat fans have gotten too comfortable with this choking habit and poor defense. The fans around me sounded the theme: "Well, this is Texas State football." Only Coach Wright can turn this around, and if he can't breathe some urgency in his team, then bring in someone who can and get the team to play like a top division team.
I heard coach on the post-game interview. His words were the canned phrases of high school coaches. I was at least looking for him to express some accountability for this loss. He sounded like a guy who didn't care. In sports, no one wins for trying hard or playing hard. There's only winning and losing.
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