Live from Washington Grizzly Stadium

• Some ugly weather today, drizzling and about 40 degrees.
• We'll see if turnovers play into today.
• Texas State won the toss and will receive - time to get out to a fast start.
• Bobcats get on the board first with a 47-yard field goal from Andrew Ireland. False start to begin the drive, but Texas State moved the ball well throughout.
• After allowing Montana to convert a long third down, the Bobcat defense locked down and forced a punt. If Texas State scores here, it could take the LOUD crowd out of the game.
• The Bobcats fail to capitalize, they punt it away.
• INTERCEPTION, TEXAS STATE. Morris Crosby picks the ball...Bobcat ball at their own 42-yard line.
• TOUCHDOWN BOBCATS. 16-YARD CATCH BY CAMERON LUKE. George settles in and locks in. 10-0 TX STATE.
• Karrington Bush fumbles. Don't expect to see him again today.
• The Bobcats' defense is stepping up today, with some big stops. Every UM drive has either ended in a punt or turnover.
• Texas State's defense doesn't look to good to open the second half. Two straight runs opened for 15 yards and then the secondary broke down for a 40-yard gain.
• The Bobcats forced a 3rd-and-18, but UM quarterback Cole Bergquist rushes for a 21-yard touchdown. Texas State missed three tackles (Courtney Smith, Michael Rutlidge and Travis Houston).
• If the Bobcats don't come out and score on this drive, consider the momentum turned.
• Well, the momentum has flipped. Texas State failed to score and Montana takes the ball back and scores on its next drive. The Bobcats are now down 21-10. Missed opportunities and tackles have killed Texas State today.
• The Bobcats kick a field goal to bring it within 21-13, and stopped a second-and-10 for a 1-yard gain, but a personal foul gives Montana a first.
• Texas State stops the Grizzlies on a third-and-7, yet, another personal foul (this time by Kenneth Hampton) gives them a first down.
• Bobcat head coach Brad Wright grabbed Hampton by the facemask for a while when he came to the sideline.
• Montana scores on a 1-yard touchdown run by Reynolds, giving it a 28-13 lead with 12:50 remaining in the game.
• Texas State running back Alvin Canady coughed it up on the 3-yard line, the Grizzlies marched down the field and kicked a 37-yard field goal to open up the game, 31-13.
• The Bobcats were outclassed by Montana in this one.
  

Headed to Montana...

The next time I post on this blog, I will be in Montana. Post questions in the comments section and I'll try to get answers for you. Safe travels for all of those making the trip.

Three reasons why Texas State will win on Saturday...

Today, I asked Texas State head coach Brad Wright and Courtney Smith for three reasons why the team will beat Montana. Here are their responses:

Wright: "Well, I think our team thinks we can and that's the most important thing. I think we're going to have more speed than what they're used to seeing. I really believe our defense is going to step up in a way that Montana doesn't think they can. I feel that we're a better football team than Montana gives us credit for. I've heard from them up there that this is just a warm-up game for next week. You know, let them overlook us."

Smith: "Coming into this week, we're firing on offense. We're hungry on defense and three, we just want to play. We have nothing to lose. We don't feel like our backs are against the wall. We just want to play."


Sounds like the Bobcats are confident in what they will do on Saturday. The Daily Record will be there for all of your coverage needs.

Texas State vs Montana to be televised

Here is the press release from Time Warner Cable...

The Texas State Bobcats will take on the University of Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, November 29th live on Time Warner Cable. Coverage begins at 1:00 p.m., with kickoff at 1:05 p.m. in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

A field of 16 teams from conferences such as Mid-Eastern, Ohio Valley, Big Sky and others will compete in a playoff format to become Division I champion. Texas State University - San Marcos is this year’s qualifying team from the Southland Conference.

Time Warner Cable will make the playoff game available to its Digital Cable customers living in the San Marcos, Austin, Waco, Dallas, and San Antonio areas. “We’re excited to provide Texas State fans and alumni the opportunity to see their team play live on Time Warner Cable,” said Stacy Schmitt, VP of Communications for Time Warner Cable Central Texas.

Customers in areas listed below will see the Texas State game on these channels:

Austin and San Marcos – Digital Channel 77
Waco – Digital Channel 15
Dallas Metro Sports – Channel 185
San Antonio – Digital Channel 50


A subscription to Digital Cable is required according to the company.

The Daily Record will be in Montana

The San Marcos Daily Record will be covering the Texas State vs. Montana game in Missoula this Saturday. Be sure to send your questions for the team to Tyler Mayforth and he'll be sure to ask them. Check in the Daily Record each day for new updates and  stories about the game.

Live from Bowers Stadium (Texas State at Sam Houston State)

• Texas State looks very uptight today.
• Bobcat punt returner Drenard Williams lets a ball bounce over his head, goes back to get it, but is BLASTED by a Sam Houston State defender. FUMBLE. Bearkats recover.
• SHSU scores on the next play. Texas State is down 7-0.
• Bobcats go three-and-out, punt, Bearkats take over.
• Texas State's secondary, which looked good in the early going is starting to be tested by Bomar.
• SHSU scores on a 25-yard touchdown pass across the middle to Trey Payne. No safety help, leading to an easy throw-and-catch to Payne.
• Bearkats taking advantage of a weak Bobcat secondary. Bomar connects on his second touchdown pass of the day. Three missed tackles by Texas State.
• I will be taking questions for Coach Wright following the game.
• Good playcall by the Bobcats, George finds John Gilley wide open for a 14-yard touchdown. Gilley trucked a SHSU defender at the goalline.
• 30-yard FG by Ireland...21-10 Bearkats
• Ireland boots another field goal, this time from 48 yards.
  
• Texas State takes some momentum going into the half, only down 21-13.
• The Bobcats have been threatening all day to break a long kickoff return and finally they did. Karrington Bush breaks a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
• TEXAS STATE COMES BACK FROM 21-0 TO TIE THE GAME AT 28-ALL. 6:42 LEFT IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
  

Live from Strahan Coliseum (Tx State vs. Huston Tillitson)

• Texas State is up 41-35 with 6:00 remaining in the first half.
• Bobcat guard John Rybak has really impressed me with his shooting so far. He began the game 4-for-4 from beyond the arc and is not afraid to let it go.
• Texas State forward Ty Gough still seems to have the "little big man" syndrome, not wanting to go up strong to the basket, but evidently, he's one of the strongest players on the team.
• The Bobcats were down 2-0 without even playing a second. An administrative technical foul was called, putting the Rams to the line before the game even started.
  

Possibility of home playoff games for Bobcats...

Had an opportunity to talk with Dr. Teis yesterday about the possibility of a home playoff game, should Texas State advance.  He told me the likelihood of a first round game is slim, but if the Bobcats get into the second round, the chances are higher.  Texas State made bids on all three rounds of the playoffs, so the more games it wins, the higher possibility of a home game.

It all starts Saturday for the Bobcats.  Win and their in.

Live from Bobcat Stadium (Texas State vs. Nicholls State)

• Very windy at Bobcat Stadium, the breeze is blowing toward the end zone complex at 24 miles per hour. Field goals will be tough today.
• Texas State has struggled to stop the run on third down. Nicholls State has converted three on its first drive.
• The Colonels take the early 3-0 on a 40-yard field goal. Nicholls State took 7:27 off the clock on the drive.
• The Bobcats are running formations will all three quarterbacks in. Whenever they do, Clint Toon gets the snap and takes it on a keeper. If Texas State doesn't change that up, Nicholls could key on it.
• Tie game after Andrew Ireland boots a 19-yard field goal.
• GREAT playcalling by the Bobcats to get Cameron Luke WIDE OPEN for a 26-yard touchdown pass. After two straight runs, George play-faked and found Luke all alone in the end zone. It was Luke's 16th touchdown catch this season.
• Looks like Wright is trying to make it up to Zwinggi with the amount of runs he's getting. Zwinggi punches in a 5-yard touchdown run to make it 17-3.
• Texas State limited to Nicholls State to less than three yards per carry in the first half.
• The Bobcats rushed for 145 yards in the half.
  

Big win for Texas State men's bball team...

The Texas State men's basketball team opened the Tip Off Classic in Hawaii with a 76-66 win against Cal State-Fullerton. Brent Benson led all scorers with 25 points, while Emmanuel Bidias A' Moute chipped in 18.

The Bobcats held a 40-23 lead at half, while shooting 46 percent from the floor. Benson finished shooting 8-of-13 with four assists and two steals.

Texas State still struggled from the free throw line, going 26-for-40. The Bobcats missed 14 free throws, which does need to be ironed out before the season really gets going. Texas State was tormented last season by poor free throw shooting, so it will be an interesting development this season.

Regardless, it was a big win for the Bobcats and they look like they turned a corner.

Sure bets for this weekend...

I'm going to try my best to handicap five games this weekend in both college and the NFL.  Take in mind, I'm no better at picking than any other writer out there, but hey, I nailed the Hays-Lehman score last week.  So, without further ado...

1. Texas (-13.5) at Kansas: Judging how the Longhorns played last week against Baylor, it seems they might come out firing against the Jayhawks.  It's supposed to be cold though, so it could have a factor.  I would take Kansas.

2. Oklahoma State (-17.5) at Colorado: The Cowboys were throttled last week by Texas Tech and I don't expect it to be close this weekend.  I would safely take Oklahoma State and the points.

3. South Carolina at Florida (-23): The Gators have been putting a hurting on every one of their opponents since losing to Mississippi.  Florida could be primed for an upset.  I don't see the Gators winning by more than 20, so take the Gamecocks.

4. Baltimore at New York (-6.5): This is a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVII (?).  The Ravens are playing well right now with Joe Flacco at quarterback, but the Giants are too good.  Take New York and the points.

5. Philadelphia (-9) at Cincy: The Bengals are not playing well at all right now and Carson Palmer still isn't healthy.  Look for the Eagles to blitz Cincy all day.  Take Philadelphia and the points.

News shakes up the SLC...

This came out of the Southland Conference media call today...

FRISCO, Texas – The Southland Conference has been notified by the NCAA that the league cannot award its 2008 championship to its reclassifying member Central Arkansas as planned, should the Bears finish the season in the top position of the league’s standings.

By awarding a championship to UCA, or any declaration or reference by the Southland that the institution is the conference champion, the NCAA will revoke the league’s automatic qualification (AQ) into the Division I Football Championship.

As a reclassifying NCAA member moving from Division II to I, Central Arkansas is in the midst of a four-year transition period that, among other things, prohibits its sports programs from participating in NCAA Championships. Once the university completes the transition, its programs are scheduled to have full NCAA DI Championships access beginning in the fall of 2010.

The conference’s membership had approved plans to allow UCA to compete fully for football championship honors, but would have awarded its approved automatic bid to the highest finishing NCAA-eligible team if Central Arkansas finished first in the regular season. Therefore, the championship will be determined amongst the league’s seven other football programs.

“We are very disappointed to learn our competitive plans will not be accepted by the NCAA,” Southland commissioner Tom Burnett said. “Despite our efforts to provide the UCA football program, its student-athletes and university community with the best competitive experience possible during the reclassification period, this restriction limits our intentions. However, under no circumstance can we forfeit our automatic qualification that we’ve had since 1982.”

The Southland began placing Central Arkansas into its football schedule in 2007, but does not include UCA on the AQ application form for the NCAA Championship. In other sports, where there is regular-season play and a conference tournament, UCA has full regular-season championship rights but does not advance to the postseason events where the NCAA bid is competed for.

“By removing UCA from the automatic bid application, which was subsequently approved by the NCAA last spring, we believed that the situation had been adequately addressed,” Burnett added. “However, we will comply with the NCAA Bylaws, and not place our championship access at risk.”

During the reclassification period, if an ineligible team is given access to a conference championship where automatic qualification is at stake, and that team won the title, a conference, per NCAA Division I Bylaw 31.3.4.1(f), would have to relinquish its NCAA automatic bid and rely on having a team or teams chosen at-large.

Texas State needs to win out

It's a simple philosophy. Texas State needs to win out to advance to the playoffs.  The Bobcats also need a little bit of help.

In order for Texas State to clinch the Southland Conference championship, it will need to win its remaining three games. Should the Bobcats beat Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls State and Sam Houston State, they'll be 5-2 in the SLC.

Right now, Northwestern State and Central Arkansas stand on top of the league with identical 3-1 records. The Demons hold the tie-breaker over Texas State since they won last Saturday.

The Bobcats need Northwestern to lose two games and it's entirely possible. The Demons have two tough games coming up, in the Bears and McNeese State.

Texas State needs to do its part and the league will sift itself out.

Ever wonder why there are so many missed FGs?

So far this season, Texas State and its opponents have combined to go 5-for-17 at Bobcat Stadium on field goal attempts. Texas State kicker Andrew Ireland is 1-for-2, while the opposition is 4-for-15.

That's 11 missed field goals, or 33 points if you're counting at home. Angelo State missed three field goals in the first game of the season and lost by seven. It's a difference between a seven-point loss and a two-point win.

Tomorrow in the Daily Record, we get down to the bottom of the answer. Could it be the ghost of Jim Wacker? Is it an outside force? 

Find out tomorrow.

Update on Stan Zwinggi situation...

Not much to update on this front, but Texas State running back Stan Zwinggi is expected to play against Southeastern Louisiana. It seems like the incident cleaned itself up and the team is moving forward like always.

Why Stan Zwinggi didn't play vs. Northwestern State

For any of those wondering why Texas State running back Stan Zwinggi wasn't playing against Northwestern State, he was suspended. Bobcat head coach Brad Wright said there was a "situation in the locker room and it will be dealt with internally."

More on this after Wright's media luncheon on Monday.

Texas State vs. Northwestern State (game blog)

• Texas State won the toss and elected to receive.
• Bradley George was picked off on the sixth play of the game and Northwestern State returned it for a touchdown. George looked down his receiver the whole time and the route was jumped.
• Kenneth Hampton picks off a tipped pass for the Bobcats to regain possession with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
• Ben Follis nails a punt that goes out of bounds at the 1-yard line, yet Texas State jumps offside to move the ball out to the six.
• The student section is not full at all. Maybe the students are nursing hangovers from Halloween, but for a big game like this, it's not fitting.
• Demon quarterback John Hundley picked off by Morris Crosby. Two turnovers for the Bobcat defense.
• George has plenty of time to find Darren Dillard for a 46-yard touchdown pass.
• The Bobcat offensive line has given George ample time and when George has scrambled, it's been because a lack of receivers being open, not pressure.
• Texas State is making sound defensive plays, not allowing much, in terms of points, to Northwestern. We'll see if it continues.
• The Demons run enough, it will create an opportunity for play-action passing. Northwestern just caught the Bobcats napping and connected on a 51-yard touchdown pass. 14-7 Demons.
• George with his second touchdown pass of the day, this time to E.J. LeBlanc.
• Northwestern kneels it going into the half. 14-all.

SECOND HALF

• Texas State rush defense looking really shaky, giving up more than 5 yards per carry.
• Northwestern just broke a 30-yard touchdown run right through the gut of the Bobcat defense.
• In other news, Stan Zwinggi is not dressed today.
• Follis is having a tremendous day, just boomed a 51-yard punt.
• Great playcalling by Texas State on its last drive. Two plays go to Karrington Bush for longer than 20 yards. Getting the ball into the hands of the playmakers.
• NSU just put together a 15-play, 72-yard, 9:02 drive.