Texas State football lost its third straight game Saturday against Marshall, this time falling 40-36 in double overtime.

The Bobcats have found unique ways to lose games in the past three weeks. There were critical moments in each game where Texas State could’ve asserted itself as the dominant team, and each time, it faltered. Against Marshall, the offense had the ball with 1 minute, 14 seconds left in regulation and a chance to win. Quarterback Brad Jackson took a sack in Marshall territory, forcing a game-tying field goal.

Texas State went into overtime and scored a touchdown after the Thundering Herd. A 2-point conversion would’ve sealed it, but head coach GJ Kinne opted to kick the extra point. 

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Here are the grades from Texas State’s loss to Marshall:

MORE: How Texas State football found a way to lose to Marshall in double overtime

Offense: C

Texas State wasn’t able to muster much on the ground against a stout Marshall run defense. This led to Jackson having a career day through the air, collecting 444 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 26-of-38 passing. The pick he threw was on fourth down and resulted from a busted play where Jackson received immediate pressure from the right side of the line.

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Speaking of, the offensive line did not have a great day. Left tackle Dorion Strawn was beaten around the edge twice for two sacks, with the first resulting in edge Braydin Ward strip-sacking Jackson. The Bobcats could not get any push in the run game, with running backs Lincoln Pare and Greg Burrell combining for 54 yards and a touchdown on 2.65 yards per carry.

Wide receivers Chris Dawn Jr. and Beau Sparks were bright spots; Kylen Evans dropped two passes. His second came on a potential touchdown throw in the second overtime. Although it was between two defenders, the ball hit Evans right in the chest — he just couldn’t hold onto it. 

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) runs the ball during the game against Nicholls State at Texas State University on Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 in San Marcos, Texas.

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) runs the ball during the game against Nicholls State at Texas State University on Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025 in San Marcos, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Defense: B-

Texas State’s defense played one of its best games of the season, which is why the loss stings even more. There were multiple occasions where the defense was put in uncomfortable situations, but the unit held firm for most of the game.

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Cornerback Craig Royal Jr. intercepted Marshall quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson in the second quarter. At the beginning of the third quarter, Texas State stopped a fourth-down attempt on its side of the field. When Texas State’s fake punt failed, edge Kalil Alexander pressured Del Rio-Wilson on third-and-3, leading to a field goal instead of a touchdown.

But it couldn’t hold out forever. The defense cracked on the penultimate drive before overtime, allowing Marshall to take a 27-24 lead with 1:14 left. That momentum continued into overtime, where the Thundering Herd had no trouble cruising into the end zone in both periods.

Special teams: C

The fake punt in the fourth quarter from Texas State’s own 26-yard line was a bold move. It nearly worked, but David Nunez lost the ball, and the ensuing field goal helped Marshall’s comeback.

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Marshall did not allow running back Jaylen Jenkins any return opportunities on the kickoff, launching the ball out of the back of the end zone each time. Wide receiver Beau Sparks did not record a punt return as well. The bright spot came from kicker Tyler Robles, who nailed all three of his field goal tries, including a 50-yarder that sent the game into overtime.

Coaching: D

When a team falters in pressure scenarios for the third consecutive week, the blame has to fall upon the coaching staff. 

“It all falls on me. So we got to get back to work and figure out ways to not lose these close ones,” Kinne said.

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Texas State’s decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 in the third quarter instead of kicking the field goal loomed large when looking at the final score. Same for the fake punt. And though aggressiveness isn’t a bad thing, Texas State needs to decide if it wants to commit to that style and have a better plan in those scenarios. Opting not to go for two at the end of the first overtime didn’t match its earlier ambition. It was a choice based on “not losing” the game.Â