By Michael Adams
Austin Sports Journal

Texas State’s furious fourth-quarter rally came up just short Saturday evening as the Bobcats fell 42–39 to Louisiana at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana).

Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield accounted for five total touchdowns, including three through the air and two on the ground, helping the Ragin’ Cajuns (4–6, 3–3 Sun Belt) hold off the Bobcats (3–6, 0–5).

Texas State trailed 42–20 early in the fourth quarter before storming back with three touchdowns in the final 13 minutes. Beau Sparks fueled the comeback with a 49-yard touchdown run and a 38-yard touchdown reception on back-to-back drives. Quarterback Brad Jackson connected with Chris Dawn Jr. for a 21-yard score with 3:12 remaining to make it a three-point game, but Louisiana’s offense converted twice on third down to run out the clock.

Jackson completed 26 of 33 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Sparks had a career night, catching 10 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown while adding 49 yards rushing and another score. Running back Lincoln Pare added 89 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 54-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

Despite outgaining Louisiana 528–384 and averaging 9.3 yards per play, Texas State was undone by penalties and time of possession. The Bobcats were flagged 11 times for 114 yards and held the ball for just over 22 minutes, compared to nearly 38 for Louisiana.

Winfield finished 17 of 27 for 192 yards and three touchdown passes, adding 49 rushing yards and two scores. Running back Bill Davis led the Cajuns with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Shelton Sampson Jr. caught two touchdown passes.

Texas State kicker Tyler Robles was perfect on the night, hitting field goals from 25 and 24 yards and making all three extra points.

The Bobcats stay on the road next week against West Division-leading Southern Mississippi in what is a must-win game if Texas State wants to keep its bowl hopes alive. home next week to face Coastal Carolina in search of their first conference win of the season. Meta description: