Texas State football had an opportunity to make a comeback in the fourth quarter, but it fell short as Louisiana hung on for a 42-39 win.
It came down to Louisiana quarterback Lunch Winfield converting a fourth down with one minute, 53 seconds left, effectively ending the game as Texas State had no more timeouts. Afterward, multiple videos came out of the teams converging at midfield for a massive brawl.
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The Bobcats went down 42-20 when Winfield opened the fourth quarter with a three-yard rushing touchdown. Texas State defense then held the Louisiana offense scoreless for the rest of the game, while quarterback Brad Jackson threw two touchdown passes and recorded 120 yards in the comeback attempt. Jackson finished with 360 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 26-of-33 passing. Ultimately, his efforts weren’t enough to make up for a first half in which Texas State gave up 35 points.
Texas State is now 3-6 and needs to win out to earn bowl eligibility.
Here is a recap from Texas State’s matchup with Louisiana.
Texas State Bobcats linebacker Donterry Russell (15) celebrates a tackle as Texas State plays James Madison at Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium in San Marcos, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Texas State football vs Louisiana live updates
FINAL — Louisiana 42, Texas State 39
Defensive lineman Bryce Carter tackles Winfield for a three-yard loss. Winfield’s next pass is nearly intercepted. On third-and-13, Louisiana converts with a huge throw to Sampson for 19 yards. An offside penalty leads to a defensive pass interference on cornerback Khamari Terrell. Consecutive offside calls gift Louisiana 10 yards. Texas State takes two timeouts after rushes. Winfield rushes for four to set up fourth-and-2.
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Louisiana goes for it, gets it, and that’s the ball game.
4Q, 3:12 — Louisiana 42, Texas State 39
Texas State gets into third-and-8 after Rios breaks up another pass. A third-down run by Perry goes nowhere and Louisiana punts again.
Jackson completes two passes to Pare for a first down. He goes back to the running back for a 14-yard gain. Tight end Blake Smith catches his first pass of the game for 11 yards. Jackson goes toward Evans, who draws a pass interference. Jackson’s next pass to Dawn comes up incomplete. He extends on second down and finds Pare for three yards. A touchdown run by Jackson is called back due to holding. On third-and-17, Jackson layers a pass over a Cajun defender for a 21-yard touchdown pass.
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4Q, 8:19 — Louisiana 42, Texas State 32
Three consecutive Winfield rushes give Louisiana a first down. On third-and-8, linebacker Boudoin picks off Winfield. Texas State pulls out the fleaflicker and Sparks catches a 38-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion is no good, keeping the deficit at 10.
4Q, 12:05 — Louisiana 42, Texas State 27
Sparks picks up 22 quick yards on two completions. Jackson’s next pass, intended for Dawn is incomplete. Sparks then takes a carry 49 yards for a quick Bobcats touchdown.
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4Q, 13:02 — Louisiana 42, Texas State 20
The Bobcats gift the Rajin’ Cajuns a first down with an offside penalty. A facemask penalty puts Louisiana on the nine-yard line. After a few runs, Winfield takes it in himself for the touchdown.
End of 3Q — Louisiana 35, Texas State 20
Davis picks up two yards. Winfield’s pass is caught by Caden Jensen, who is tackled for a one-yard loss. A third-and-9 stop is called off after a face mask penalty on Texas State. Davis is stopped just short of the chains on another third down.
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3Q, 2:57 — Louisiana 35, Texas State 20
A penalty spots Texas State’s defense 15 yards. Perry rushes for nine yards and Winfield runs for four. Davis’ 10-yard rush isn’t enough, and Louisiana punts for the first time since the first quarter.
Texas State gets things moving with a run by Pare and completions to Sparks and Dawn. A pass to Pare goes for 0 yards. The ensuing rush is stopped short of the first down marker. Pare keeps the drive alive by converting on fourth down. Jackson then completes a pass to Dawn 40 yards down the field. The two connect again shortly afterward for a six-yard touchdown, but pass interference on wide receiver Kylen Evans cancels it out. Pare takes a screen pass 15 yards, setting up a third-and-6.
Jackson’s next pass is incomplete. Texas State’s field goal is good.
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3Q, 9:52 — Louisiana 35, Texas State 17
Perry is stopped for a one-yard loss on Louisiana’s first offensive play. Lunchfield picks up nine on a pass to Brock Chappell, and Perry converts on third-and-2. Texas State forces Louisiana into third-and-8. Rios breaks up another pass, and safety Bobby Crosby picks off the deflection.
Jackson rushes for two yards and follows it with a 13-yard completion to Dawn. Burrell pushes up the middle for six yards. A sack gives Texas State third-and-10. Jackson’s pass to Dawn is short of the sticks. On fourth-and-5, Jackson throws short of the sticks, and Dawn is tackled before making the marker.
End of 2Q — Louisiana 35, Texas State 17
Perry catches a screen and takes it for nine yards. The running back goes up the middle for a 10-yard gain. Louisiana is having no problem getting whatever it wants through the ground and the air. Tight end Trey Miller takes a pass 16 yards down the field.
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On third-and-7, Winfield scrambles for Louisiana’s eighth third-down conversion of the day. He then punches it in for the Rajin’ Cajuns’ fourth touchdown of the second quarter.
2Q, 4:26 — Louisiana 28, Texas State 17
Pare runs for seven and Jackson follows it up with a five-yard scramble. Jackson finds Sparks deep down the left for 35 yards. The quarterback then hits tight end Titus Lyons 24 yards down the field for a touchdown.
2Q, 5:36 — Louisiana 28, Texas State 10
Burrell goes for nine before getting stuffed on second down. Pare converts on third down with a 10-yard gain. Jackson is sacked on the ensuing play and fumbles the ball for Texas State’s second consecutive turnover.
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Two Louisiana runs go for five yards. Sampson catches a 12-yard touchdown pass as the Bobcats fail to make another third-down stop.
2Q, 8:29 — Louisiana 21, Texas State 10
A quick pass to Sparks goes for seven yards. Pare is wrapped up on second down for one yard. Jackson’s third-down pass is tipped and intercepted by defensive back Courtline Flowers.
Winfield is wrapped up for a loss and Davis rushes for three yards. Another third-down completion to wide receiver Landon Strawther goes for 14 yards and a first down. Davis finishes the job with a 12-yard touchdown run.
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2Q, 11:24 — Louisiana 14, Texas State 10
Perry is stopped for a short gain by Texas State safety Ryan Nolan. Winfield is wrapped up on second down for one yard. The quarterback finds Sampson up the middle for 21 yards to convert another third down. Davis gains five yards on a first-down rush and no yards on his second-down attempt. Winfield completes another third-down pass for another first down, then records another completion for 18 yards.
The quarterback then throws a strike to tight end Caden Jensen for his second touchdown pass of the day.
End of 1Q — Texas State 10, Louisiana 7
Jackson weaves his way through the defense for an 11-yard gain. He rushes again for four yards. Pare rips off a 54-yard explosive for Texas State’s first touchdown of the day.
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A huge collision on the ensuing kickoff return leaves both Chantz Johnson and Robert Williams struggling to get up. They eventually both leave the field with some assistance. Winfield’s first down pass is incomplete. Tymere Jackson suffers a blow to his groin, and limps off the field. Charles Robertson makes a nice snag on third down to convert.
1Q, 1:39 — Louisiana 7, Texas State 3
Winfield flips a pass to his tight end under pressure for two yards. Davis rushes for six, and Perry gets the first down with a three-yard spurt. Cornerback Jaden Rios breaks up a deep pass intended for Robert Williams. A Davis four-yard gain sets up a third-and-6. A false start pushes the Rajin’ Cajuns back five yards. Winfield escapes from pressure on third down, but his pass is nearly intercepted. The punt lands on Texas State’s 39-yard line.
1Q, 4:45 — Louisiana 7, Texas State 3
Texas State running back Greg Burrell gets the offense started with a chunk run, but an offensive holding penalty gives Texas State first-and-20. Jackson makes up for it with a 62-yard dime to Sparks. Jackson rushes for three yards for more breathing room. He connects with Chris Dawn Jr. for the first down, and a roughing the passer penalty puts Texas State on the six-yard line.
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The Bobcats go nowhere on their next two downs. Facing third-and-6, Jackson’s pass is incomplete. Tyler Robles’ field goal is good.
1Q, 8:06 — Louisiana 7, Texas State 0
Louisiana running back Zylan Perry gets five on his first carry. Winfield’s deep pass down the left sideline falls incomplete. Tymere Jackson gets home on third down for the sack, but a defensive holding negates the play. Two Winfield runs yield eight yards and set up a third-and-2. Perry bursts through the line and drags a mass of defenders along with him for 25 yards.
Running back Bill Davis takes the rock for seven yards, then bulldozes through the line again for 15 yards. On first-and-goal, Davis is stuffed at the line to gain. Winfield’s pass on second down is incomplete. On third-and-goal, Winfield finds Shelton Sampson Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
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1Q, 12:59 — Texas State 0, Louisiana 0
Texas State leaves the ball to running back Lincoln Pare to begin the game, who reaches the first down marker on his first two runs. Jackson’s first two passes go to wide receiver Beau Sparks for a combined nine yards. Jackson is stuffed on a third-and-1, and David Nunez’s punt rolls into the endzone.
Texas State football vs Louisiana time, TV info
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When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium – Lafayette, LA
TV/radio: ESPN+, Varsity Network
Texas State football schedule
Week 1 vs Eastern Michigan: W, 52-27
Week 2 at UTSA: W, 43-36
Week 3 at Arizona State: L, 34-15
Week 4 vs Nicholls: W, 35-3
Week 5: Bye
Week 6 at Arkansas State: L, 31-30
Week 7 vs Troy: L, 48-41 (OT)
Week 8 at Marshall: L, 40-37 (2OT)
Week 9 vs James Madison: L, 52-20
Week 10: Bye
Week 11 at Louisiana (Cajuns), Nov. 8, 4 p.m.
Week 12 at Southern Miss, Nov. 15, 2:30 p.m.
Week 13 vs ULM, Nov. 22 TBD
Week 14 vs South Alabama, Nov. 29 TBD
Texas State vs Louisiana betting line
Moneyline: -145 Texas State, +120 Louisiana
Spread: Texas State, -2.5
O/U: 64.5
Texas State vs Louisiana weather forecast
Sunny with a high of 73 degrees Fahrenheit starting at 4 p.m., dropping to 70 degrees by 7 p.m.
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