By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
SAN ANTONIO — Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson grew up just miles from the Alamodome, but on Saturday night he made himself at home inside it.
The redshirt freshman threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Bobcats to a 43–36 win over UTSA in front of 45,778 fans, the third-largest crowd in program history.
It marked Texas State’s second straight win in the rivalry and another signature moment under third-year head coach G.J. Kinne.
“This was a total team win in one of the toughest places to play,” Kinne said. “Brad settled down after a shaky start and showed what kind of competitor he is. We had guys banged up, but they left it all on the field.”
Highlights
A back-and-forth battle
The Bobcats and Roadrunners traded scores all evening in what resembled more of a shootout than a defensive struggle. After UTSA tied the game at 36 with a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion, Texas State needed just one play to reclaim the lead. Jackson hit wideout Beau Sparks on a deep strike for the decisive score.
“We ran that play earlier and knew we liked it,” Jackson said. “Beau ran a great route, the line gave me protection, and it was all about execution. Moments like that show what this offense can do.”
UTSA had one final chance to respond but was turned away on fourth down in Texas State territory. Safety Khalil Alexander, who delivered a tone-setting hit on quarterback Owen McCown in the first quarter, said the defense focused on composure in crunch time.
“Our coaches put us in a great position, and we just executed,” Alexander said. “We practice those moments all week for exactly that situation.”
McCown, Henry pace UTSA
Despite the loss, UTSA’s offense piled up 464 yards. McCown, a transfer quarterback making his second start, completed 23 of 43 passes for 219 yards and two scores. He also added 47 yards rushing.
Yeah, I think looking back at it I wish I came out a little faster,” McCown said. “Finally got it going, run game, finally towards the end like you said. And then the final drive just got to execute as an offense. That was something we are work on practice. Every time we practice situational football. Just got to look back at the film and see how we could have expect it better.”
Running back Robert Henry once again shouldered the load, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard burst in the first half. He now has 336 yards and four rushing scores through two games.
But UTSA struggled on fourth down, converting just one of six attempts — a stat head coach Jeff Traylor admitted loomed large.
“We knew it might be a shootout, and we had to be aggressive,” Traylor said. “But we didn’t execute. That fourth-and-one early is going to haunt us. Our kids worked so hard, and it stings because we didn’t get it done.”
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Defense bends, breaks
Texas State finished with 454 yards of offense, balancing 168 rushing yards with explosive plays downfield. Jackson connected on three passes of 40-plus yards, including a 73-yard strike to Chris Don in the second quarter.
Traylor pointed to big plays as the difference. “They scored on five straight possessions at one point. Every time we got the crowd back in it, they answered,” he said. “That’s what’s frustrating, we finally got a stop, and we couldn’t capitalize.”
Rivalry rising
For Jackson, who starred at nearby San Antonio Reagan High School but was not recruited by the Roadrunners, the night carried extra meaning.
“They didn’t really recruit me, and by the time they called I was already committed to Texas State,” Jackson said. “I think I made the right decision.”
Kinne, who played for UTSA coach Jeff Traylor in high school, praised both programs after the latest meeting.
“I know what it feels like in that other locker room,” Kinne said. “But this is what rivalries are about. To come in here and win, it shows where our program is headed.”
UTSA (0–2) will try to regroup next week at home against Incarnate Word. Texas State (2–0) continues its nonconference slate at Arizona State next week before opening Sun Belt play later this month.
