Texas State Beats UL-Monroe 16-3 On Senior Night

By Jennifer Lawson

Special to College Sports Journal

 

Editor’s note: This story is courtesy of Texas State athletics

 

SAN MARCOS, Texas – On Senior Day at Bobcat Stadium, the Texas State football team finished the home schedule on a high note with a 16-3 victory over UL Monroe Thursday evening.

 

The Bobcats recognized its 27 seniors before the opening kick en route to their third victory of the season.

 

How It Happened: Texas State got on the board first on its opening drive after forcing UL Monroe to have a quick three-and-out on its first possession. Building up to Kaba’s 23-yard field goal, Texas State put together a pair of 20+ yard plays including a season-long 23-yard reception by Lawrence White.

 

The stop on the Warhawks opening drive marks the first game since South Alabama that the ‘Cats forced its opponent to punt to begin the game.

 

ULM tied up the contest with 1:31 left in the first on a 28-yard field goal, the only score of the contest for it.

Throughout the second quarter, the teams proceeded to exchange punts until Texas State’s final drive of the half.

 

The ‘Cats strung together eight plays and 66 yards for its first touchdown of the game. After missing a seam route through his hands on the previous play, White made up for it with a 20-yard reception in the back of the end zone to break the tie. White’s touchdown reception was his second of the season and first since Southern Miss earlier this year.

 

Texas State had an opportunity to build upon its lead in the third after UL Monroe fumbled a punt return in Warhawk territory. The Bobcats were unable to convert on the opportunity as an attempted field goal from 27-yards was missed wide left.

 

A 73-yard interception return by senior Aaron Shaw put a spark in the Bobcat offense in the fourth quarter. In just two plays later, White scored his second touchdown of the game giving Texas State a 16-3 lead over the visiting Warhawks. It was Shaw’s first career interception and the third interception of the season for Texas State.

 

The Texas State defense allowed just 181 total yards, the fewest yards allowed since coach Dennis Franchione returned to Texas State in 2011. The last time the Bobcats allowed under 200 yards of offense was against UL Monroe on Oct. 12, 2013.

 

Who Stood Out: Lawrence White had a night for the Bobcats as he recorded a career-high 83 receiving yards as well as a career-high two receiving touchdowns … Aaron Shaw notched his first career interception in the fourth quarter, leading to White’s second touchdown … Lumi Kaba recorded three punts over 50 yards, marking the third time in four games he has accomplished the feat.

 

What This Means: Texas State finishes the home slate with a 3-3 record with wins over UL Monroe, South Alabama, and Prairie View A&M. Overall, the ‘Cats are 3-7 and 2-5 in Sun Belt Conference play. Texas State will look for its first victory on the road when it heads to Moscow, Idaho in a week from Saturday.

 

What’s Next: Texas State will now hit the road for the final two games of the season, beginning with Idaho on November 28 and ending against Arkansas State on December 5. Kick-off against the Vandals in Moscow, Idaho is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT. Idaho is set to take on Auburn this Saturday. The Vandals enter that game with a 3-7 overall record.