SAN MARCOS — When Texas State football was 3-1 at the end of September, hype for the team was sky-high. A win over UTSA in the Alamodome seemed to be a precursor for a season that would see the Bobcats reach greater heights. With a move to the Pac-12 imminent, head coach GJ Kinne and Bobcat fans looked at the Sun Belt Championship as the goal on the horizon.
That sun set a long while ago. Texas State is now 5-6 after Saturday’s 31-14 victory over ULM. One more win grants bowl eligibility — something that felt like a given a few months ago is now far from a guarantee.
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But for Kinne, it’s not about what his team could’ve done. He said that he’s immensely proud of how the Bobcats climbed out of their “funk” to earn these past two wins instead of lamenting over lost potential.
“For them to climb out of that and play the way they have the last couple of weeks says a lot about the players and the coaching staff,” Kinne said.
Mistakes were riddled throughout the losing streak that sank Texas State’s hopes of competing in the Sun Belt, but it also had bouts of bad luck. Kicker Tyler Robles missed his lone extra point of the season in a 31-30 loss to Arkansas State. Troy recovered an onside kick in a 48-41 overtime defeat. Texas State reached the chains on a fake punt versus Marshall, but a fumble led to things falling apart.
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Aside from a 52-20 loss to JMU, it’d be hard to say that Texas State played horribly during its five-game losing streak. However, the negative aura from the losses had infected the team. It stayed with them until a 41-14 win over Southern Miss renewed the Bobcats’ confidence.
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson (8) celebrates a touchdown 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
“I think it just required some success,” Kinne said. “For whatever reason, the ball didn’t bounce our way. A play here, a play there, and in this league, the margin is small.”
A sign that Texas State had turned the corner came at the beginning of the third quarter. ULM trailed 3-0 after one half, but had gotten the ball first to start the second. After a 10-yard scramble by quarterback Aiden Armenta set up fourth-and-1, the Warhawks elected to go for it on their own 34-yard line.
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The Bobcats’ biggest issue this season has been their defense. But the line stonewalled ULM running back Braylon McReynolds, forcing a turnover on downs. Texas State made good on the defense’s efforts as quarterback Brad Jackson’s ensuing 19-yard rush extended the lead to 10-0.
Although ULM stuck around in the third quarter, Texas State didn’t entertain them for much longer. A 12-yard touchdown run by Armenta cut the lead to 24-14 with seven minutes and 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Bobcats responded with an 11-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that ate up nearly six minutes of clock, closing out the win. It’s the second solid performance from the much-maligned defense, which was aided by Texas State’s excellent clock management.
“When we got stops, we weren’t able to capitalize, going back to Arkansas State and Marshall,” Kinne said. “We’ve got to help the defense out sometimes, too.”
Texas State could very well lose against South Alabama next week, missing out on a third consecutive bowl game and ending the season on a sour note. But the energy around the Bobcats has shifted. Texas State wide receiver Beau Sparks pointed toward edge DonTerry Russell as someone whose voice has impacted the team positively in recent weeks.
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The Bobcats’ resilience and play with their backs against the wall speak volumes. Kinne said the team is motivated to play for the seniors, whose careers are coming to an end.
The memories of what could’ve been are gone. For Texas State, the season is about what is still ahead of them.
“Man, this opportunity to go jump in that river, to extend this season for these seniors,” Kinne said. “I would just love one more, however long couple of weeks with these guys. That would mean a lot, selfishly.”
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