October 30th, 2011
Texas State can’t overcome miscues as Bobcats fall to Northwestern State 23-10

SUBMITTED REPORT

Northwestern tailback Justin Aldredge’s 33-yard touchdown run with 4:45 left in the game gave Northwestern all the breathing it needed as the Demons spoiled Texas State’s Homecoming defeating the Bobcats 23-10 on Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Texas State proved to be its own worst enemy as the Bobcats committed four turnovers and missed three of its four field goal attempts. Three of the turnovers occurred on Northwestern State’s end of the field with two fumbles coming at the Demons’ four and 19-yard lines, respectively. In addition, Bobcat quarterback Shaun Rutherford threw an interception after Texas State had driven down to Northwestern State’s 34-yard line following the Demon’s first touchdown.

Northwestern State’s Phillip Harvey scored the first touchdown on a 47-yard run. Later in the opening quarter, the Demons’ Brad Henderson hit Louis Hollier for a 36-yard touchdown pass.

With just under 10 minutes to play in the first half, redshirt freshman Terrence Franks scored Texas State’s first points in the game when he broke around the right end for an 82-yard touchdown run. Will Johnson added the extra point to pull Texas State to within 14-7.

Franks’ run was the longest run by a Bobcat since Stan Zwinggi had a 91-yard touchdown run against Cal Poly in the 2007 season-opener, a span of 53 games.

The Bobcats pulled to within 14-10 in the final minute of the first half when Johnson kicked a 47-yard field goal with 28 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

On the first drive in the third quarter, Texas State turned the ball over on its own 27-yard line when Northwestern State’s Wade Williams recovered a fumble by Rutherford. However, the Bobcats’ defense forced the Demons to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Jo Shaughnessy

Midway through the third period, Texas State drove the ball down to Northwestern State’s 13-yard line before Marcus Curry mishandled a handoff and fumbled away the football. However, the Demons were forced to punt the ball away from their 13-yard line and Nic Russo’s kick was downed at Northwestern State’s 40-yard line.

After Darius Bolden gained 16 yards on a reverse play, Terrence Franks recorded a 10-yard run and Rutherford gained eight more yards to give the Bobcats possession at Northwestern State’s 11-yard line. Rutherford had a seven-yard run on the first play in the fourth quarter down to the Demons’ four-yard line. The scoring opportunity was thwarted when Derek Rose forced a fumble and Northwestern State recovered.

After the Bobcats forced a punt, they drove down to NSU’s 19-yard line before Johnson missed a 36-yard field goal.

The Demons took possession and Aldredge capped off an 80-yard drive with his 33-yard touchdown run to make the final score 23-10.

The loss drops Texas State to 5-4 overall this season, while Northwestern State improves to 5-3 overall. The Bobcats will play their second straight home game next Saturday when they play host to Prairie View A&M in a game that kicks off at 3p.m.