The Texas State Bobcats had their four-game win streak snapped with a 30-27 loss to the McNeese Cowboys.

“It was just another Southland Conference game for us,” said Coach Brad Wright. “It went the distance. It took four quarters, but this time it didn’t work out for us.”

The Bobcats’ 6-4 record mathematically eliminates Texas State from playoff contention. Playoff teams have to beat at least seven Division I teams in the FCS during the season. Even if Texas State wins next week, the Bobcats would have only beaten six.

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo

The Texas State men’s basketball team began the 2009 to 2010 season with a rout of Howard Payne in a 35-point victory.

The Yellow Jackets seemingly could not miss in the first half. Howard Payne shot more than 58 percent from the field, including 5-for-5 shooting from behind the arc.

The Bobcats were ahead 51-43 at the half because of the play from three returning lettermen starters.

Lindsey Goldstein/Star photo

Season-opening butterflies were not an issue for the Texas State women’s basketball team as it opened its season with a victory Friday over Texas College.

The Bobcats defeated the Steers 100-42 in a game that featured scores from all but two Texas State players.

“It was all about teamwork tonight,” said Kelsey Krupa, sophomore guard. “It wasn’t an individual effort at all.”

There has been a four-way tie for first place in the Southland Conference between the Stephen F. Austin, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State and Texas State football teams for the past two weeks.

That four-team tie will turn into two at the conclusion of this weekend. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

“This is the biggest week of the season,” said Mishak Rivas, sophomore wide receiver. “Hopefully we come out of it with a win. We are going to be SFA’s best friend this week.”

Texas State football coach Brad Wright has been approached by various media outlets with questions about his future with the Bobcats. Below is a brief interview conducted by The University Star with Wright’s responses about his future as head coach.

Q: I heard that you were unhappy with your current contract. (Can you tell me about that?)

A: I was offered a one-year contract after the end of last year. That is not much of a commitment to me. Before I even started as a head coach, they gave me three years.

Q: Are you looking for three years?

Strahan Coliseum has a new seating arrangement for the 2009 to 2010 Texas State men’s and women’s basketball seasons.

“The students wanted to sit closer to the floor, so we moved them all the way to the sideline for this year’s basketball season,” said Don Coryell, associate athletics director.

Two games and a shot at the No. 1 seed for the Southland Conference tournament are at stake this weekend for the Bobcat volleyball team.

Texas State volleyball and football are entering the final stretch of the season and it should be noted both teams have turned their season around, thanks to their road heroics.

The Cincinnati Bengals have been dubbed the name “Cardiac Cats” in the NFL, but because a formally bad team has a good start to a season doesn’t mean it should get a “new nickname.” That nickname should belong to Texas State teams, who have made something of their seasons already.

At first glance, the 5’6,” 155-pound Mishak Rivas, sophomore wide receiver, does not look like a college football player.

It is when he is on the field, zipping past defenders with Darren Sproles-like quickness that makes it easy to understand how a player of his stature earned the nickname “Kid Flash.”

“I love the Flash — he’s my favorite superhero,” Rivas said. “Everybody tells me I’m a kid at heart, so the name works. I wear it (under my eyes) during games.”