Tuesday, September 29, 2009

New date and time for Bobcat football live chat

Be sure to check out the weekly Bobcat football live chat tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 7 p.m. on http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com. We'll be chatting about Texas State's last game vs. Texas Southern and the Bobcats' trip to Southern Utah this Saturday.

The live chat may move permanently to Wednesday night, to not conflict with other Texas State events and coverage issues.

See you tomorrow and thanks for reading the Daily Record.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Texas State vs. Texas Southern (Live Blog - Transcript)

Friday, September 25, 2009

Bradley George is putting it all together

Quarterbacks usually have one trait that stands above the rest.

Warren Moon had a rocket for an arm and Randall Cunningham's athleticism carried the Philadelphia Eagles. Brett Favre's unquenchable desire forces him to stay in the NFL much longer than he should and Tony Romo has a penchant for costly mistakes.

While Texas State quarterback Bradley George (at right, Daily Record File Photo) has size and talent, it's his leadership that guides the Bobcats.

"Maybe it's because he's 10 years older than everyone else on the team, but everybody looks up to him," Texas State co-offensive coordinator Travis Bush said. "He stabilizes this team."

George has been the Bobcats' rock for the last five years. He stuck with the program through two coaching changes and took over as full-time signal caller in 2007.

While his statistics poke you in the chest (2,660 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2008), George's poise wins you over. He's a well-spoken man with a lot of experience and wants the best for his university.

"This is my last year, so I'm trying to make the most of it," George said. "I want to take it game by game, but right now, anything less than another ring is a let-down to me."

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Live chat tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

Don't forget we've moved the live chat to tomorrow (Thursday) night at 8 p.m. It will still be held on the Daily Record's Web site, so log on and join in.

We'll be discussing Texas State's last game against TCU and the Bobcats' next test this Saturday vs. Texas Southern.

A lesson in toughness...

If you take a look at the following video, you'll see the difference between an FBS and FCS football team. While the FBS team has more scholarships at its disposal, it is also stronger. Not only does the team impose its will at the line of scrimmage, but also at first contact.



0:35 — TCU running back Ed Wesley runs over Texas State cornerback Will Thompson in the end zone. Wesley is only a freshman.

1:25 — TCU running back Joseph Turner lowers his shoulder and blasts Texas State defensive back Mario Wiggins, Jr. Turner did this all day against the Bobcats, as he rushed for 129 yards on 13 carries.

1:49 — Texas State's defensive line had no resistance as Turner barreled into the end zone. Five Bobcats couldn't keep Turner from pay dirt.

3:44 — Once again, Texas State's defense couldn't bring down Turner, as he shed three tackles on his way to the end zone. Travis Houston, T.P. Miller and Joshua Minde all can't keep him from scoring.

I asked Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil about what it takes to counter strength on the football field. He told me, "It's nearly impossible, but you need to be sound in your fundamentals and have more guys gets to the ball at the point of attack. We're still working on that right now."

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Here and there...

College Football
  • Texas State had more first downs Saturday against TCU (15) than Virginia did a week earlier (7).
  • The Bobcats' special teams defense got a little better Saturday, but still allowed a 21-yard punt return and a 31-yard kickoff return. On the bright side, Ben Follis boomed a 56-yard punt and pinned two inside TCU's 20-yard line.
  • Texas State was victimized by the Horned Frogs' quick passing. When the Bobcats did get a hand on Bart Johnson or Jeremy Kerley, they broke free with long gains of 19 and 20 yards, respectively.
  • Freshman running back Frank Reddic led Texas State with 111 all-purpose yards, while Alvin Canady had 104. Reddic returned five kicks and had good field vision, finding the lanes of his 21-yard return

College Basketball
  • Texas State will hold walk-on tryouts for the men's basketball team Thursday, Oct. 8. Participants must be Bobcat students.
  • Former Texas State guard Brandon Bush signed a professional contract with AD Vagos, a pro team in Portugal. Bush averaged 15.9 points per game last season with the Bobcats.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Quotes from practice today (9/16)

Texas State senior left tackle Alex Luna

On how to stop a quick defensive end: "Quick feet. Always keep your hands up and never use your body because they'll take advantage of that."

On what goes through his head after a sack and how to conquer it: "I go up to the line and say 'Good job' first. Then, I'm going to make them beat me. I'm not going up to the line thinking 'They're going to beat me.' He has to beat me again if he wants another sack."

Texas State sophomore center Steven Kenney

On getting ready to run block against a great defense: "We're going to try to go in there and roll them out and get our rush yards. We don't like to settle for little rush yards."

Texas State co-offensive coordinator Ben Norton

On TCU's defense: "Everybody on that defense runs to the football. Everybody on that defense knows their assignment. Besides that, they're doing it with some incredibly talented guys. It's going to be a great challenge for us."

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Answering the question: How can Texas State beat TCU?

I keep getting asked the same question by fans and friends: How can Texas State beat TCU? The Bobcats travel to Fort Worth Saturday night to play the Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU will be Texas State's toughest FBS opponent the Bobcats have ever faced. The Horned Frogs are currently ranked No. 15 in both major polls, leaving little room for error. If Texas State wants to have a chance against TCU, this is what it will need to do:
  • Limit the turnovers. Last year against SMU, the Bobcats turned the ball over twice on their first three possessions. The Mustangs got quick points off those turnovers and Texas State was forced to catch up for the rest of the game. If the Bobcats drop behind by 14 points early, it's going to be nearly impossible to stage a comeback against such a good defense.
  • Run the ball. Texas State, even without Karrington Bush, will need to find a way to move the ball on the ground. TCU doesn't allow many rushing yards (47.1 per game in 2008) so if the Bobcats can break one or two big ones, it could open things over the top.
  • Control the clock. Texas State needs to keep its offense on the field to neutralize the points its defense will allow. The Bobcats need to be effective in their passes and keep the clock moving when they have the ball. If Texas State's defense is forced on the field for extended periods of time, Bobcat head coach Brad Wright will need to dig deeper into his reserves. Texas State's second and third-string players are young, so Wright will need to keep his older guys on the field as long as possible.
Be sure to check out the live chat this Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Clarifying a few questions from last night's chat...

  • Texas State linebacker Joe Bell played a few snaps against Angelo State and should be at full speed next Saturday vs. TCU.
  • Bobcat punter Ben Follis should be good to go as well.
  • Texas State defensive end Leon Woosley wasn't injured, but since Ron Jackson played so well, Woosley didn't get much playing time.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Second live chat on Texas State football tonight

Be sure to check out the second live chat on Texas State football tonight at 7 p.m. If you want to know the updated status of Karrington Bush or who to expect to fill his shoes, come on in.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Wrapping up Texas State's 48-28 win

The Bobcats scored 27 points in the first half and were able to hold off Angelo State. Texas State got big days from quarterback Bradley George and wide receiver Cedric Alexander. You can read the story from the game here.

To wrap up the game, the only true way is to break it down by; the good, bad and ugly.

Good
  • Bradley George: He started the season off on the right foot, completing 18-of-27 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns. George, at one point, completed all but one of his passes (9 of 10). While ASU intercepted George twice, he made good reads and put the ball where it needed to be. His mid-range passes were on ropes, but needs to lead his receivers a bit more on the deep ball.
  • Texas State's WRs: The Bobcats' receivers basically reeled in everything George threw their way. Ten different players caught passes from George, led by Da'Marcus Griggs (five). Cedric Alexander ran his routes well, especially the crossing pattern which left him wide open for the 48-yard touchdown. Daren Dillard made big catches which forced the Rams to double him and Alvaro Garcia had good field vision taking a pass 71 yards inside the ASU 20.
  • Texas State's defensive line: ASU came into the game ready to run the ball down the Bobcats' throats. Texas State limited the Rams to 29 yards in the first half and 93 in the game. Adley Eshraghipour and Garrett Hood held their ground in the trenches, allowing Marcus Clark and Jopolo Bartu to slide into the backfield.
Bad
  • Texas State's rushing attack: Once Karrington Bush went down with an injury in the first quarter, it was nonexistent. The majority of the Bobcats' rushing yards were from Alexander (a wide receiver) and Ben Follis (the punter). Frank Reddic looked good in his first collegiate game, but couldn't bust through the initial contact. Alvin Canady got a bulk of the carries (13), but only rushed for 34 yards.
Ugly
  • Texas State's secondary in the second half: The Bobcats couldn't stop ASU quarterback Josh Neiswander. He picked apart Texas State's secondary after halftime, passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Neiswander found holes in the Bobcats' weak zone and exploited it. Ram wide receiver K'Veon Lacey caught nine passes for 150 yards (16.7 yards per catch). ASU could have had a lot more than 28 points if it focused on the pass in the first half, instead of the run.
  • Texas State's special teams: Where to start? The Bobcats allowed a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown immediately following their first score. Texas State's players didn't cover the running lanes and ASU's Garrett Tidwell broke it open. The Bobcats nearly allowed another touchdown on a punt return, but Tidwell was tripped up near the 50-yard line. Follis' kickoffs were poorly placed and allowed the Rams good field position.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A few volleyball/football notes...

  • Texas State set an attendance record for volleyball tonight vs. Texas Tech. The old mark was on 11/1/05 when the Bobcats hosted UT. Texas State drew 2,389 fans tonight.
  • The Bobcats swept the Red Raiders, 3-0.
  • Texas State head volleyball coach Karen Chisum started four newcomers, including three freshmen tonight.
  • Jessica Weynand continues to lead the Bobcats, collecting 14 kills.
  • Texas State opens the 2009 football season this Saturday night at 6 p.m. against Angelo State.
  • The athletic department will have tours of the new West Side Complex beginning at 2 p.m. There will also be an official naming, as a banner covers that part right now.
  • Word is, it's part of the largest donation to the athletic department ever. I've narrowed it down to two sources and heard from one person it's one of the two I thought.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Karrington Bush is ready: Are you?

Went out to Texas State football practice today and the team's in the middle of preparations for Angelo State. The Bobcats host the Rams this Saturday at 6 p.m.

I spoke with Karrington Bush after practice and asked him what the buzz was like around campus. He told me, "Everyone I come across that asks me if I'm ready to go, I tell them 'Oh yeah.' But then, I'm sure to ask 'Are you ready to come out to the game?' We need to get as many people out there as possible. It should be fun"