Texas State stumbles at home to Wyoming

Despite a massive first half where Texas State moved the ball at ease and the defense was stifling, the Cowboys of Wyoming won 23-14 thanks to two second-half field goals and a pick six.

Bobcat leading rusher Caleb Twyford kicked off the scoring with a one-yard touchdown. Wyoming came back with a 47 yard field goal by Cooper Rothe which became the most controversial play of the game. Initially it was signaled as good but replays at the stadium showed the ball go wide left.

A twitter user also posted a video of the ball going through the uprights. Regardless, the phantom field goal counted and Texas State had to respond. They countered with a 50 yards pass and catch touchdown from Gresch Jensen to Jah’Marae Sheread on the next drive.

After a Cowboys punt, Texas State drove into Wyoming territory with a chance to make it a three score game but Jensen threw a pick which led to Wyoming, with the help of a massive penalty, scoring on a 7 yard scamper by quarterback Sean Chambers to end the first half at 14-10, Texas State.

In the second half it was a different story. Wyoming moved the ball a little better despite scoring six points in the second half but it was cornerback Tyler Hall’s 72-yard pick-six that sealed the lead for Wyoming.

Bobcat quarterback Gresch Jensen had a massive day going 33/54 for 394 yards and a touchdown but had two picks and a fumble. Jensen’s nearly 400 yard day was the most passing yards in three years by a Bobcat QB.

Twyford had 60 on the ground and reliable receiver Hutch White had 10 catches for 96 yards to lead the Bobcats.

Four Bobcat defenders recorded double-digit tackles with potential All-American linebacker Bryan London II and fellow linebacker Nikolas Daniels both recording 11 tackles.

Wyoming quarterback Sean Chambers had a paltry day in the win, going 8/18 for 103 yards and an interception but did have the aforementioned rushing touchdown.

Takeaways

• Jensen did a good job and it’s obvious why he was chosen to start. He has the accuracy in certain situations and the ability to find the open receiver. However it seems that if he goes through his progressions and finds that his first option and second option are gone Jensen, freaks out and waits too long and gets sacked or throws an ill-advised pass. The comeback routes OC Bob Stitt called were perfect and Jensen zipped them in almost every time.
• The defense did a magnificent job as they continually stuffed the run. Texas State only allowed two runs over 10 yards, held the Cowboys to only 3.9 yards a rush and 44 of the 103 yards passing allowed came on one play. I had said in my review that if they could stop the passing game and control the run Texas State would have a chance. Unfortunately.....
• Miscues. Three turnovers, two missed field goals, a bad pass interference call, two silly penalties on both sides of the ball and five sacks. Take away one or two of these and we’d have a different ball game.
• As I mentioned before there was a pass interference call on Texas State but earlier a Wyoming defender rolled up on a Bobcat receiver drawing no call on worse looking interference.
• Also of course was the phantom field goal. Live I couldn’t tell because of the angle. The replays in the stadium show it going left. Other replays online show a good field goal.

Next up for State: The Bobcats head to Dallas next Saturday to take on SMU