Arkansas State 55, Texas State 17: What We Learned

7ded1b77586c5594575bccce4a74b0f1If you start like that, it’s over. Arkansas State jumped out to a 20-0 lead before the Bobcats got on the board in the second quarter, and when you’re playing a team that’s undefeated in conference in your final gasp of the year, that’s just not going to work. If Texas State wanted any shot of pulling the upset against the Red Wolves, a good start was imperative because there was no chance they could chase the game against an offense that scores in droves. That said, it’s not like this, or the final score, came as much of a surprise. The minute the Bobcats’ season went south, you could see this painful final note coming as Arkansas State’s trajectory went the other way. The turnovers sure didn’t help. Three, to be exact. And if you put aside the fact that (again) you’re not going to knock off Arkansas State if you turn the ball over, you can take it a step further and ask why a team like Texas State is struggling to take care of the ball this late in the season. Maybe it’s a reflection of why things have gone south all year, but that doesn’t excuse the inability to lock things up with what amounts to the team’s bowl game. The 99-yard pick six was especially painful, coming at the end of what had been a really impressive 80-yard drive. Silver linings won’t come easily from these stat lines. If you want to get really desperate in your search for something positive in this one, maybe you look at C.J. Best’s overall contribution all over the field, running for 35 yards and a score while hauling in seven passes for 86 receiving yards. The Smyrna, Georgia product went out with as much of a bang as anyone in Texas State colors could muster.