University Star

The Bobcats rekindled their defensive effort Saturday night in a 38-7 victory, getting their first win in WAC play

The win came on Texas State's football homecoming night, and was the last time the Bobcats allowed seven points or less since 2009's homecoming game against Stephen F. Austin.

The Bobcats’ 31-point triumph was their biggest margin of victory since the team defeated Texas Southern 52-18 in 2009. On Saturday, Texas State used 337 rushing yards, including 85 from quarterback Shaun Rutherford and 84 from running back Marcus Curry, to keep Idaho at one win on the season.

Texas State racked up 519 yards of offense on 66 plays, did not turn the ball over and scored on four of their five red zone attempts. Their only holdout was on the last possession of the game when Texas State ran the clock out.

Rutherford completed 14 of 19 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Andy Erickson had 124 all-purpose yards, including a 31-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, which gave the Bobcats a 7-0 lead.

Texas State did, however, commit 11 penalties for 105 yards, which stalled drives, especially in the first half. The Bobcats took only a seven point lead into halftime, 14-7.

Coming into Saturday’s tilt with the Vandals, Texas State had scored just three points against FBS opponents in the second half. Saturday, the Bobcats converted their first three drives to points in the third and early fourth quarter against the Vandals.

Down 31-7, the Vandals were driving deep into Bobcat territory and had a chance to cut it to a two score game. That chance was thwarted by a Darryl Morris interception inside the Bobcats’ 20, and all but put the win in the Bobcats pocket.

Texas State’s defense held Idaho to just 19 of 34 passing. The Vandals best rusher on the night, James Baker, had just 48 yards.

Cornerback Craig Mager led the Bobcats with eight tackles. Morris and cornerback David Mims II had the interceptions on Idaho quarterback Dominique Blackmon.

The Bobcats have a bye next week.