Football prepares for road battle

Nov 5 2009 - 12:14am | Keff Ciardello

The Bobcat football team held a 2-3 overall, 0-1 conference record three weeks ago. Now, after three consecutive victories, Texas State is 3-1 in SLC games and is in the midst of a consecutive conference championship.

“Our guys have just continued to work week in and week out,” said Coach Brad Wright. “We’re in the business of ‘What have you done for me lately?’ and that’s what we’ve done. We’ve worked hard as a team to get better, but it doesn’t matter now. We have to go out there and play another one.”

Texas State, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin are in a four-way tie for first place in the SLC with only three weeks left in the season. Each team holds a 3-1 conference record, but McNeese State and SFA are both 6-2 overall while Texas State and Southeastern Louisiana are 5-3.

Texas State lost to Southeastern Louisiana 51-50. If Texas State beats McNeese State and wins its last two games against Central Arkansas and Sam Houston State, the Bobcats would need Southeastern Louisiana to lose a game in order to obtain the SLC title.

Texas State will face Central Arkansas Saturday in Conway, Ark. The Bears own the same overall record as Texas State, but they have a 2-2 mark in SLC play. Central Arkansas defeated Texas State at the Bobcats’ homecoming game last year. The Bears finished the 2008 season with the best SLC record but did not receive the SLC title because of a transition clause. Instead, the Bobcats were crowned SLC champions.

Bradley George, senior quarterback, and Joe Bell, senior linebacker, were awarded SLC players of the week for their performances against SFA.

George was named the Offensive Player of the Week after tying his school record of 30 completions as he threw 30 of 41 passes for 303 yards and a season-high four touchdowns.

“The defense won the game for us, though,” George said. “Anytime you face a team that throws at every down, you expect to give up points. They only gave up seven. That’s the best defensive performance I’ve seen since I’ve been here.”

Bell recorded 15 tackles — 1.5 for a loss — and a fumble recovery that gave the Bobcats possession on the 19-yard line.

The two awards mark the first time they have been given to Texas State players in the same week.

Travis Houston, senior defensive end, recorded the second interception of his career as a Bobcat. Houston feels there is something else he could have done despite his impressive statistics.

“I didn’t score, though,” Houston said. “I didn’t know if I could take a hit like (George), so I thought I might as well jump out of bounds (and) see what the offense can do. (I) wish I would have put some moves on out there (and) show (George) how it’s done.”

The game against Central Arkansas will be televised on the Southland Network. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. Saturday.

Permalink