:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67841349/721D2C61_4D61_4779_9CF7_9FE09F8CAD36.0.jpeg)
If you are a fan of offense, this game was for you. Both teams combined for over 1,150 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns, but it was Texas State who came out on top in the end.
Bobcat quarterback Brady McBride threw for 443 yards and five touchdowns in the victory. His passing total was the most since Tyler Jones threw for 475 in a win over Incarnate Word in 2016.
Arkansas State outpaced Texas State by over 150 yards of total offense as the Redwolves marched out their Janus-like duo of signal callers Layne Hatcher and Logan Bonner. The two combined for 462 passing yards and four touchdowns in the loss.
The first half saw the Bobcats jump out to an early 10-0 lead, but after a pair of big plays on separate drives, A-State would tie the game up early in the second quarter.
Momentum would shift after a pair of McBride touchdowns would push the Texas State lead to 24-10 midway thru two quarters.
Answering the Bobcats, the Redwolves would go on a streak of their own going on a 28-3 run that would bleed over into the second half.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Redwolves nursing a 38-27 lead the Bobcats would claw back with another pair of McBride touchdowns to go up 41-38.
Jamal Jones would punch in a late fourth quarter touchdown after a backbreaking drive that would see Arkansas State go up 45-41 with 1:43 left.
After a Jeremiah Haydel midfield return, McBride led the ‘Cats down to the Arkansas State six where running back Calvin Hill would score the go-ahead touchdown.
One last defensive stand by the Texas State defense stopped the Arkansas State attack, and that’s all she wrote.
Despite the Redwolves holding possession for 15 more minutes than Texas State, they did have nine crucial penalties and a turnover.
Redwolves running back Jamal Jones led all rushers with 106 yards and a touchdown as Arkansas State notched nearly 200 yards on the ground as a team.
Arkansas State boasted two 100-yard receivers with Jeff Foreman leading the pack with 148 yards on only three receptions and Jonathan Adams Jr. right behind with 141 yards on 10 catches.
Five Bobcat receivers had over 50 yards receiving with Jeremiah Haydel pacing the Texas State receiving Corp with 96 yards. Haydel also had 106 return yards.
Meanwhile, safety Brendon Luper had 16 tackles to lead all players.
The Bobcats go to 2-9 (2-5 SBC) and will host Coastal Carolina in the season finale next weekend. Arkansas State falls to 3-6 (1-5 SBC) and will host South Alabama next Saturday.