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Know the Foe: Texas State

Know the Foe: Texas State

Football Nov 05
By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

Historically speaking, your ULM-Texas State tussles are typically tight.

Since 2013, five of the nine meetings between the Bobcats and Warhawks have been one-possession games. Losers of two straight to Texas State, ULM fell 27-19 in San Marcos, Texas, in 2021. Additionally, three of the last four meetings in Monroe have been decided by six points or less.

"We're fired up for these last four games," Texas State coach Jake Spavital said. "There's a lot to play for in the month of November."

Two teams fresh off bye weeks will meet again on Saturday at Malone Stadium, with kickoff at 4 p.m. Like ULM (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt), Texas State (3-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) is hungry for another win.

"They're really on a roll, but the record doesn't show it," ULM coach Terry Bowden said. "They beat Appalachian State, then they've had two tough losses to teams that were pretty good football teams in Southern Miss and Troy, and lost by just a couple of points.

"Texas State, like us, isn't looking for moral victories. But they are trending upward."

Said Spavital: "We've got a tough opponent in ULM, who is playing very, very well at home. Coach Bowden does a great job and we all know Coach Bowden's resume. He's one of the better coaches in the history of our game, and he's got a lot of good energy at that university right now."

The Warhawks have seen Texas State quarterback Layne Hatcher before, but wearing a different uniform. The transfer from Arkansas State has completed 186-of-296 throws for 1,944 yards and 16 touchdowns and averages 243 passing yards per game. For his career, Hatcher has thrown for 9,371 yards and 81 TDs.

Hatcher enjoys having an explosive target at his disposal in Ashtyn Hawkins, tied for 13th in the nation in total receptions (54) and receptions per game (6.8), and 11th with seven touchdowns. Hawkins has 581 receiving yards and four 100-yard receiving games.

Running back Lincoln Pare, another Arkansas State transfer, leads the Bobcats with 385 yards and two touchdowns. Pare led the Red Wolves in rushing with 455 rushing yards on 107 carries last year.

Even with their explosive playmakers, Texas State comes in averaging just 21.6 points per game.

"We've gone through a lot of injuries. You look at the offensive line and we've played a lot of moving parts," Spavital said. "We've still got a lot of beat up guys up front."

Texas State's defense has held its last two opponents to 20 points or less. Overall this season, opponents are averaging 24.1 points per game and Texas State ranks 24th nationally with 15 takeaways. The Bobcats have nine interceptions, led by Kordell Rogers with four.

"I think they're a very talented offense," Spavital said. "I think they're very explosive. They always find a way to hit a 50-plus yard touchdown in the first 15 plays of the game. Their quarterback Chandler Rogers is a very dynamic guy, who understands the system very well. He scrambles when needed. He extends plays with his feet, and he can throw the ball extremely well. I think he's one of the more fun quarterbacks to watch in our conference."

Protecting Rogers will be a high priority this week against a Texas State defense that has 19 sacks, the most in a season since 2017. The Bobcats have recorded 10.0 sacks in four Sun Belt games and at least 3.0 sacks in each of the last three games.

Defensive lineman Levi Bell has five sacks and 10 tackles for losses. Linebacker Sione Tupou has two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 50 tackles, which are second-most on the team. Tory Spears leads his team with 69 tackles.

"It's a good time to have a home game," Bowden said. "Our kids love playing at home."

Bobcat bytes: The Warhawks lead the series, 12-6. Texas State is 3-6 all-time in Monroe but 2-2 since it joined the Sun Belt in 2013. The Bobcats won the last meeting in Monroe on Sept. 19, 2020 (W, 38-17). … The Bobcats have forced a turnover in seven-straight games, its longest streak since 2018 with nine consecutive games with a takeaway. … Texas State has two pick-six returns off interceptions. … Texas State is 0-4 on the road this year. … Tight end Tyler Huff, who served in the Navy from 2013-17, was named a finalist for the 2022 Armed Forces Merit Award on Oct. 17.
 
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