By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal
Here are five thoughts from Texas State’s 35-3 win over Nicholls Saturday night at Bobcat Stadium.
Offense looked good, but dominant they were not
Head coach GJ Kinne and his players talked during the week about wanting to come out and dominate this game. While the scoreboard suggests control, the offense didn’t exactly overwhelm Nicholls.
Brad Jackson threw for 180 yards and ran for two scores, and four different players found the end zone on the ground. But drives often stalled, and the explosive, statement-making performance the Bobcats were looking for never quite materialized. Against tougher Sun Belt defenses, they’ll need to finish more drives with touchdowns.
A 3-1 start heading into Sun Belt play
The Bobcats matched their best nonconference start since 2023 and will carry a 3-1 record into Jonesboro for their Sun Belt opener against Arkansas State. More importantly, they’ve established a clear identity: a balanced offense with a freshman quarterback who’s getting more comfortable each week, paired with a defense that can keep opponents out of rhythm. Conference play will reveal whether that foundation holds up against stiffer competition.
Banged-up Bobcats
Kinne mentioned the Bobcats are a little banged up. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time, offering Kinne’s group a chance to get healthy before the grind of Sun Belt play. Depth will be tested as the schedule toughens, and how quickly some key players return could have a big impact on whether the Bobcats maintain momentum.
Defense shows growth, but quality of opponent matters
Nicholls managed just 224 yards and three points, and Texas State finally got its first takeaway of the season when cornerback Khamari Terrell intercepted Deuce Hogan in the red zone. The defense didn’t give up any explosive plays and kept the Colonels out of the end zone, which is a big positive. Still, the quality of opponent must be considered. The real test comes in conference play, where the Bobcats will need this level of discipline against teams with more talent and depth.
Building momentum in front of big crowds
The announced 31,500 attendance marked the fourth-largest home crowd in school history and continued the trend of growing excitement around the program. Pairing that kind of fan engagement with a winning record heading into October is exactly what Kinne has been pushing for. Now it’s about translating early momentum into meaningful Sun Belt results.
