Texas State football faced yet another setback this season, losing 42-39 to Louisiana on Saturday, marking their fourth one-possession loss in about a month. The defeat has left fans and players frustrated as the Bobcats struggle to find their footing in a disappointing season.
After the game, head coach GJ Kinne expressed his disappointment, calling this the most frustrating season of his career. The tension spilled over at the end of the game when Texas State edge Tymere Jackson threw a punch at a Louisiana player while their quarterback, Lunch Winfield, took a knee to run down the clock. The situation escalated into a brawl at midfield, prompting Texas State president Kelly Damphouse to confirm that there were confrontations between the two teams both on and off the field.
Kinne remarked on the chaos, saying, “It was hard to tell, to be honest with you. I was just trying to bring people up, but pretty scary, pretty dangerous there at the end.” Video footage from the incident showed players from both teams throwing punches, with one Louisiana player even swinging a helmet. Kinne noted that it seemed Texas State players initiated the altercation. Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux criticized the events, stating, “Think there”s no room for that in college football. Been playing these guys for 13 straight years. Never had anything like that happen, that”s embarrassing.”
Despite the turmoil, the Bobcats remain focused on the season ahead. With a record of 3-6, they need to win their remaining games to achieve bowl eligibility. Kinne acknowledged the pressure, saying, “It”s on us as coaches to find a way to win this game.” In a dramatic fourth quarter, it seemed Texas State might finally break their losing streak when quarterback Brad Jackson connected with wide receiver Chris Dawn Jr. for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 42-39.
With just over three minutes left, the Bobcats needed one last defensive stop. However, the defense faltered again, allowing Winfield to complete a crucial pass to wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. for 19 yards. Following an offside penalty, Texas State cornerback Khamari Terrell was penalized for pass interference, further complicating their chances.
The team”s struggles were evident throughout the game, particularly in a disastrous first half where they turned the ball over twice and allowed Louisiana to score four touchdowns. Kinne pointed out that had they played with more consistency, the game could have had a different outcome. “I told the guys, if we play like that the whole game, probably wouldn”t have been close. But we didn”t,” he said.
Despite the losses, Kinne has noticed a resilient spirit within his team during this challenging stretch. They managed to intercept Winfield and executed a successful flea flicker that led to a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Beau Sparks. Kinne expressed pride in the team”s refusal to give up, stating that they are learning valuable lessons amid adversity.
As the Bobcats prepare for their next game against 7-2 Southern Miss, Kinne emphasized the importance of discipline and focus. “Every time we play a game, the other team comes after us, so it”s a part of it,” he noted. Ultimately, while Texas State may throw punches on the field, they understand that the responsibility for their frustrations lies with themselves.
