February 4th, 2011
Bobcats ineligible for Southland title, playoffs

STAFF REPORT

With Texas State moving into the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2012, all eyes are that far down the road.

As for the 2011 football season, that, too, will look into the future. Because the Bobcats took a scholarship increase for this year’s recruiting class on the way to the WAC, they will be ineligible for the Southland Conference championship or the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs.

New coach Dennis Franchione signed two more players Thursday, bringing this year’s class up to 24 recruits and bringing the program’s scholarships up to 76.

FCS schools are allowed a total of 63 scholarships for football. Those scholarships can be spread around to 85 players. At the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level, programs are limited to 85 full scholarships for as many players.

The Bobcats elected to begin increasing their scholarships this year, but at a cost.

“This way we can start our transition period for the FBS this year rather than waiting until we join the WAC,” Texas State Sports Information Director Rick Poulter said. “Because of the increased scholarship number, we will be ineligible for the SLC football championship this season and cannot advance to the FCS playoffs.”

The Bobcats added a wide receiver and another offensive lineman to their recruiting class Thursday.

The wide receiver is Jafus Gaines from Houston Chavez. Gaines was named a finalist for Greater Houston Area Player of the Year by the Houston Touchdown Club. In three years on the varsity, Gaines caught 104 passes for 1,895 yards and 26 touchdowns.

The offensive lineman is tackle Mike Yoder, who played last year for Texas State linebackers coach Brad Franchione at Blinn College. He earned honorable mention All-America honors and was named to the Southwest Junior College Conference first team. He played high school football at Kingwood.