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At first glance, it’s easy to think the Arkansas Razorbacks should have no trouble running away with a victory on Saturday night.
After all, the Hogs will host a Texas State team that entered the 2016 season with a new head coach after posting a 3-9 record in the Sun Belt Conference a year ago. But to look past the Bobcats and ahead to next week — when the Razorbacks will open their SEC slate with a heavyweight matchup against Texas A&M in Dallas — would be foolish as Texas State is prepared to give Arkansas a scare.
As you prepare for kickoff on Saturday, here is everything you need to know about the visiting Bobcats:
HISTORY
Texas State joined the Southland Conference at the FCS level in 1987 before ultimately leaving to become an Independent following the 2010 season. After a brief stint in the Western Athletic Conference in 2012, the program officially joined the Sun Belt at the start of the 2013 season. Although the transition wasn’t entirely smooth, the Bobcats finished with 6-6 and 7-5 marks in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
However, last season Texas State ran into a buzz saw and finished below .500 for the first time since joining the conference, causing head coach Dennis Franchione to resign at season’s end. In stepped Everett Withers, who held coaching positions at North Carolina (2011), Ohio State (2012-13) and James Madison (2014-2015) before taking over the Bobcats.
THIS SEASON
With Withers at the helm, Texas State opened its season with a wild 56-54 triple-overtime win at Ohio in Week 1. Given the results of last year, and the fact that the team was debuting a new coach, it was an impressive road victory for the Bobcats to start their season. Even better for the team, though, is the fact that they had a rare early season bye week last weekend, giving them extra time to prepare for the task of facing Arkansas on Saturday night.
OFFENSE
Against Ohio, Texas State amassed 546 yards of total offense, 440 of which came through the air. Despite running the ball 42 times, the Bobcats only finished with 106 yards on the ground. They also committed three turnovers in the win, two of which came at the hand of their senior quarterback Tyler Jones. Although Jones threw two interceptions, the signal-caller completed 40-of-55 pass attempts for 418 yards and 4 TDs. The 418 yards marked a new career-high for the four-year starter, who set a then-career high of 336 yards in a 42-35 loss at Illinois during his sophomore season in 2014.
Jones will enter Saturday with a variety of talented receivers, many of which had big performances in Week 1. Eric Luna led the team with 10 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Elijah King (7 catches, 105 yards, 2 TD), Gabe Schrade (6 catches, 72 yards) and Tyler Watts (4 catches, 60 yards, TD) all gave the Ohio defense fits. Stedman Mayberry led the ground game and finished with 79 yards and a score on 17 carries. Jones also ran 19 times and showed his elusiveness on his 40-yard run.
DEFENSE
Just as the offense showed it can score points with ease against Ohio, the defense proved it can give them up in a hurry. The Bobcats got torched for 630 yards of total offense as Ohio used its passing attack (393 yards) and running game (237 yards) to move the chains throughout the contest.
However, the defense boasts some talent as five different players recorded nine tackles or more in the win. Inside linebacker Bryan London led the way with 12 tackles, 2 of which went for a loss, while safety Javante O’Roy (11 tackles) and linebacker Gabe Loyd (10 tackles) both reached double digits.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Bobcats are breaking in a new kicker this season, though redshirt freshman Marcus Ripley was perfect against Ohio. The newcomer made each of the six extra points he attempted while also splitting the uprights on both field goals he attempted, the longest of which came from 37 yards out. Punter Lumi Kaba averaged 41.5 yards on eight attempts, while his longest was 62 yards.
In the return game, the Bobcats will do everything in their power to see Brandon McDowell gets the ball. Although his 1 punt return went for 9 yards, he averaged 19.8 yards per runback on four kickoff returns. Tyler Siudzinski also took his one return for a 24-yard gain.
