By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
SAN MARCOS — Texas State put on a showcase of offensive firepower, as the Bobcats piled up 606 total yards and rolled past Eastern Michigan 52-27 on Saturday night at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos.
Behind a dominant ground game and an efficient debut from quarterback Brad Jackson, Texas State (1-0) raced out early and never looked back.
The Bobcats racked up 392 rushing yards, averaging an eye-popping 10.1 yards per carry, while three different running backs found the end zone.
Senior tailback Lincoln Pare set the tone, ripping off a 57-yard run in the second quarter and finishing with 167 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Greg Burrell added 79 yards and a score, while Jaylen Jenkins put the exclamation point on the night with a 58-yard touchdown sprint late in the fourth quarter. Even Jackson got in on the action, picking up 48 yards on 10 rushes.
Photos from Saturday’s game
“We wanted to lean on our backs, and they delivered in a big way,” head coach GJ Kinne said. “That balance really opened up the passing game for Brad.”
Making his first collegiate start, Jackson looked like a seasoned veteran.
The redshirt sophomore completed 18 of 26 passes for 214 yards and four touchdowns, spreading the ball around while avoiding turnovers. He showed mobility on designed runs and extended plays, taking only one sack on the night.
“Brad just had that calm confidence,” Kinne said. “He got us into the right plays, used his legs when he needed to, and most importantly, protected the football.”
Jackson’s favorite target was Bo Sparks, who turned the game into his personal highlight reel.
The junior wide receiver hauled in seven receptions for 82 yards and all four of Jackson’s touchdown passes, striking from 16 and 15 yards in the first quarter, then adding scores from 3 and 5 yards in the third.
Sparks also electrified the crowd with a 32-yard punt return that set up a short touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. His versatility and knack for finding the end zone made him the offensive star of the night.
Video highlights
“My room is amazing man, they are all my biggest fans,” Sparks said. “I am so grateful to have them and extremely blessed to have them in my room.”
Eastern Michigan (0-1) hung around early, cutting the deficit to 17-10 in the second quarter after a short touchdown run from Tavierre Dunlap. Quarterback Noah Kim threw for 248 yards and a score, and running back Dontae McMillan added 78 yards on the ground.
\But the Eagles couldn’t keep pace with Texas State’s quick-strike offense, surrendering back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter that put the game out of reach.
By the time Jenkins broke free for his long touchdown run with just over four minutes left, the 21,000 fans in San Marcos were already celebrating a statement win.
“That was very fun and good way to start the season,” Kinne said. “We had some ups and downs especially in the first half, with some inexperience showing up, but I thought we came out to play and the game plan us coaches put together really worked out with the guys going out there and executing it.
“Brad played really well like a vet out there, doing everything he was asked to do. We were explosive and able to run the ball; it was good to see on defense in the second half we really came to play.”
Up next
Texas State at UTSA
When & Where: 2:30 p.m., Saturday at the Alamodome
TV: ESPN+
Game coverage made possible by Covert Ford.
