Texas State Knocks Off Louisiana-Monroe, 38-17

After two weeks of close games Texas State finally got in the win column in decisive fashion. The win was even more important as it was the Bobcats’ first Sun Belt game of the season.

Tyler Vitt got the nod at quarterback for the second week in a row after covid-19 protocol would sideline Brady McBride for a second week. Vitt made the most of it, putting together a solid game going 14/21 for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He even led the team in rushing with 82 yards and a score.

Texas State struck early on their first drive of the game as running back Calvin Hill rumbled in from four yards out to put the Bobcats up, 7-0.

ULM would answer with a clock-eating drive that culminated in a passing touchdown strike from Colby Suites to wideout Jevin “Never” Frett from 20 yards out to tie the game.

The Bobcats wouldn’t waste any time as Vitt hit Jeremiah “Hand Him The Heisman” Haydel with a 32 yard touchdown lob that was to no one’s surprise a highlight.

Texas State continued to roll in the second quarter as Vitt would rumble like a tank into the endzone for six, then the Bobcats’ new kicker Seth Keller would hit a 40 yard field goal to put the ‘Cats up 24-7.

The Warhawks would answer back with a Suits to Chandler Whitfield five yard touchdown pass to keep ULM in the game, 24-14.

Suits would end up throwing 35/53 for 377 yards a couple of touchdowns and a pick (we’ll get to that later).

On the next offensive play for Texas State Vitt would hook up with Haydel again, this time with a 75 yard catch and run for the score.

Haydel would finish with a career-high six catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns as he continues his hot streak.

The second half was tepid as the Bobcats would protect their lead while clamping down on the ULM offense and suffocating their run game. After allowing 256.5 yards per game on the ground and seven rushing touchdowns through the first two contests of the year, Texas State finally turned that around. Warhawks runners would only gain 67 yards on the ground to the tune of a paltry 2.6 yards a carry.

Down 31-17 with a minute to go and deep in Texas State territory, Suits would throw an ill-fated interception in the endzone intended for tight end Josh Pederson. Texas State cornerback Jarron Morris would put the icing on the cake and run the pick back 100 yards for the touchdown.

It was the junior’s first interception of the season and the first pick-six since Kordell Rodgers’ 51-yard interception touchdown return in 2018 against Rutgers.

Rodgers himself had five tackles and a fumble recovery in the win over ULM as well.

The win puts Texas State at 1-2 (1-0 Sun Belt) and sets up next Saturday’s showdown on the road against ACC member Boston College.

ULM will lick their wounds before hosting UTEP next Saturday in Monroe.