By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

Texas State heads to Huntington, West Virginia, this Saturday for a pivotal Sun Belt clash with Marshall. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Both teams enter the matchup 3-3, with the Bobcats looking to end a two-game skid and the Thundering Herd trying to build momentum after a convincing home win over Old Dominion. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT (3:30 ET) at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, streamed live on ESPN+.

Key players to watch

Texas State: Quarterback Brad Jackson continues to drive one of the Sun Belt’s most explosive offenses. Jackson has thrown for 1,708 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing for 577 yards and 12 scores — among the top rushing totals nationally for a quarterback. He’ll be supported by running backs Lincoln Pare and Greg Burrell, who combined for more than 250 rushing yards against Troy. Burrell, a powerful downhill runner, has emerged as a key piece of the Bobcats’ two-headed rushing attack. At receiver, Beau Sparks remains a dynamic playmaker, hauling in 506 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Marshall: Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson and running back Michael Allen lead an offense averaging 34.3 points per game. Floyd Lacey, a reliable senior wideout, gives the Herd a vertical threat, while tight end Toby Payne is one of the league’s top red-zone targets. On defense, Boogie Trotter, a veteran defensive back, and linebacker Jayland Parker will be tasked with slowing down Texas State’s fast-paced offense.

First meeting between Bobcats and Herd

Saturday marks the first all-time meeting between Texas State and Marshall, and likely the last for some time. Texas State is set to leave the Sun Belt for the Pac-12 in July 2026, making this matchup a brief but meaningful chapter in conference history.

It’s also Homecoming for Marshall, a program that’s been extremely tough to beat in Huntington. Since Joan C. Edwards Stadium opened in 1991, the Herd have compiled a remarkable 178-38 record at home, one of the best home winning percentages in college football. Marshall is 69-46-8 all-time in Homecoming contests and has won three of its last four.

A must-win for Texas State

After dropping back-to-back conference games to Arkansas State and Troy, the Bobcats enter this one desperate to regain footing in the Sun Belt West. Both losses came by one score, including a 48-41 overtime defeat to Troy despite more than 500 yards of offense.

The offense hasn’t been the issue. Texas State averages 476 yards and 36 points per game, but defensive consistency has lagged. Head coach G.J. Kinne emphasized this week that his team must finish drives and eliminate costly mistakes.

With games ahead against James Madison and Louisiana, Saturday’s contest feels like a must-win if Texas State hopes to remain in the divisional race.

Marshall’s offense could test a battered Texas State defense

Marshall comes in fresh off a 48-24 win over Old Dominion, racking up 500 yards of offense while forcing five turnovers. Under first-year head coach Tony Gibson, the Herd have found their rhythm on the ground, averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game.

They’ll test a Texas State defense that’s allowed big plays and struggled with injuries up front. The Bobcats will look to Kalil Alexander and Treylin Payne to generate pressure and contain Allen, while the secondary, led by Ryan Nolan, will need to limit explosive passing plays from Lacey and Payne.

If the defense can hold its ground, the Bobcats’ balanced offense gives them a real shot on the road.

Keys to victory

Texas State: Establish the run early with Pare and Burrell, control the clock and limit turnovers. The Bobcats lead the Sun Belt in third-down conversions (51.2%) — a stat they’ll need to maintain to keep Marshall’s offense off the field.

Marshall: Keep feeding Allen and take advantage of Texas State’s defensive depth issues. Forcing Jackson into third-and-long situations is key for a defense that ranks second in the conference in time of possession.

Prediction

Due to being a Marshall University graduate, I will not be making a prediction this week. However, this one has all the makings of a high-scoring shootout between two of the Sun Belt’s top offenses. Expect plenty of fireworks and a game that comes down to late possessions.

Game box

Texas State (3-3, 0-2 SBC) at Marshall (3-3, 1-1 SBC)

When: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 | 2:30 p.m. CT (3:30 ET)

Where: Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, W.Va.

TV/Radio: ESPN+/ KTSW 89.9 FM

Betting line: Marshall -2.5 (O/U 70.5)

Series: First meeting