University Star

The aftermath may be overwhelmingly negative after a much-anticipated game, such as the one Texas State students have been talking about for almost a year, ends poorly. However, there were some positive thoughts following the Texas Tech match.

The Red Raiders handled the Bobcats the entirety of the game after the first three and a half minutes, which excited maroon and gold wearers that day. On a positive note, the Bobcats were able to force a fourth down on Texas Tech’s first series in which the Red Raiders fumbled. For the other 56 and a half minutes, the Bobcats were playing catch-up.

In a “David vs. Goliath” level of a matchup, the Bobcats had to come out swinging—which they did.

“We were ready to play Texas Tech last season, but we were not ready to win,” Coach Dennis Franchione said before the recent game against the Red Raiders.

The Bobcats were not only mentally ready to play Texas Tech this season, but they believed they could win. The Bobcats just weren’t physically ready.

Texas Tech’s offensive line averaged 6 feet five inches and 316 pounds, while the Bobcats’ defensive line averaged 6 feet two inches and 257 pounds, a three-inch and 59-pound difference.

The point is, when a much bigger offensive line is overpowering the defensive line, it does not allow Texas State to get any pressure, and when the Bobcats are playing against a quarterback like Seth Doege, it could be a long night.

Let’s calm down a little, Bobcat fans—don’t get greedy. The transformation of Texas State’s campus and sports program has sped up to a point where it’s believed certain things can happen right now. They can’t quite yet, but the Bobcats are on the right track.

Further, the secondary is left in a lot of one-on-one matchups when there is no pressure coming from the defensive front. Texas Tech was going after cornerbacks Craig Mager and Daryl Morris all game. Both Morris and Mager had multiple pass interference calls placed on them. Mager gave up three touchdown passes, all of which were in the first half.

The Bobcats could not get the Red Raiders off the field, even after coming through against a similar Houston offense a week prior in clutch situations where they needed to the most.

In fact, the Red Raiders’ punter got the night off. He was helping the training staff ice down Doege’s shoulder and the receiver’s hands from so many passes being completed.

Offensively the Bobcats were really moving the ball (during the first drive) on the ground with the help of sophomore running back Terrence Franks and senior quarterback Shaun Rutherford until the interception.

The phrase “so quiet you could hear a pin drop” was never more true than it was at the 11:25 mark in the first quarter—after Red Raider safety Cody Davis picked off Rutherford and ran the ball back 88 yards to the house—besides the screaming Tech fans.

The school spirit and excitement for the Texas Tech game had never been seen in Texas State’s history. Obviously, the amount of fans in the stands is the most historically. Bobcat fans showed their pride in full force, from the white towels waving to the tune of “All I Do Is Win,” (don’t take it literally) to the humongous American Flag during the National Anthem and the tailgate setups scattered throughout San Marcos.

The university experienced so much during that Saturday that it never had before—not even close.

Texas State did not win the football game Saturday against Texas Tech, but the university, student body and football program won in many other aspects (cue the moral victory).

Texas State is getting there. The Bobcat football program is getting there. The Texas Tech game was not a final test, but just another giant step to what the university in its entirety could be. All students should be proud of what transpired Saturday—maybe not the final score, but of everything else.

Hang on, because the brightest of Texas State is sure to come.

Twitter: @jbrewer32