University Star

After Texas State football’s overwhelming victory against the University of Houston, the heated gridiron is slowly cooling back down.

With a record attendance of 33,306 fans at the Sept. 8 football game against Texas Tech University, it seemed as though the Bobcats were in for a surprising season. And although some may not have anticipated the loss, students should still give the football team some credit. Despite the outcome of the Tech game, Texas State’s football program has definitely recharged for its new Football Bowl Subdivision status.

Before students lose faith in the football team, fans should consider the situation this year.

Every great team stems from the coaching staff it operates under. And it could be debated whether or not Texas State’s program has improved with the changing of the guards in 2011.

However, when you take a look at Coach Dennis Franchione’s career records, it is pretty apparent he is an effective force on the headset. He has brought big-time teams like the University of Alabama and Texas A&M University to bowl games. Franchione fostered some of the top-recruiting classes during his years at A&M. Upon his return to Texas State, Franchione has combined forces with the rest of his staff to create quite an ideal team.

But a team cannot solely thrive off its coaches, of course. The UH game shed light on a very even group of defense and offense, as well as a few up-and-coming key players. The man of the hour is running back Marcus Curry, economics senior, who stuck it to UH by scoring all three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Shawn Rutherford, and cornerback Craig Mager—both exercise and sports science majors—also helped bring the team to victory.

Now, it could be argued Rutherford had a tough game against Tech, but help from Bobcat quarterback Tyler Arndt, management sophomore, brought 10 points to the scoreboard. The Bobcats also showed off a bit more of that defensive talent by holding off the Raider offense on the third and fourth downs. Texas State did not grab many points, but it does seem as though Bobcat defense holds very strong this year.

There is only one ingredient left in the meticulous recipe that creates a game-winning team—the fans behind it. The move to FBS status has definitely stirred up morale on campus this year. After the win against UH, Texas State flooded with school spirit. Even though the Bobcats may have lost to Tech, this team still needs a certain kind of school spirit to fuel its fire.

I have total faith in the football team this year. Texas State may have lost to Tech in a  disappointing way, but there are so many other factors that will contribute to a successful and exciting season. And despite the fact there are so many fans devoted to tailgating without attending games, lots of students are waiting for that one special moment.

This is still the year of the Bobcat. It is a time when Texas State realizes it can hang with the rest of them. Students have to realize they are Bobcats and should be proud of their football team.