Bobcats get 1st win in 6 weeks

Lowe rushes for 248 yards; McDowell has 100-yard return.

SAN MARCOS — As Brandon McDowell streaked past South Alabama defenders on a 100-yard return on Saturday night, another streak was eliminated in the process.

Texas State (2-4 overall, 1-1 Sun Belt) won its first game since beating Prairie View A&M, a streak spanning six weeks and three games. In that stretch, the Bobcats were outscored 164-91.

The 36-18 victory over South Alabama (1-2, 3-4) was a long time coming for a program with the “leave no doubt” motto before the season. For one game and one play at least, Texas State didn’t leave any doubt.

McDowell’s 100-yard return after a missed field goal was fortuitous, though. He wasn’t even in the game until Texas State called a timeout prior to South Alabama’s fieldgoal attempt.

The initial play call was to block the field goal, but coach Dennis Franchione changed his mind and inserted McDowell in case the Jaguars missed the kick. “Let’s put a guy deep here because I didn’t think their kicker could kick it that far,” Franchione said. “I didn’t dream we would take it all the way back for a touchdown. But let’s give it a shot — and Brandon made me look smart.”

When Aleem Sunanon’s wayward field-goal attempt dropped into McDowell’s hands, he didn’t need much space to break off his second return touchdown this season. McDowell, however, knew he was returning the field goal for a touchdown the moment he lined up in front of the goal post. “As soon as I got back there, I knew there were a lot of lineman on the field,” McDowell said.

Brandon McKee, the place-holder, attempted to make a last-ditch diving stop as McDowell raced down the left sideline to close the first half.

McDowell’s touchdown was part of a stretch in which the Bobcats scored 26 unanswered points.

Rob Lowe took the baton from McDowell, finishing with a careerhigh 248 rushing yards and three touchdowns. A week after losing Chris Nutall for the season, Lowe picked up the remaining slack.

“I know I can only get better from now on,” Lowe said. “I always knew I could have a big game like that. I was just waiting to break out.”

Franchione entrusted his lead back with 30 carries. Lowe, who had 290 rushing yards in his previous five games, moved to fourth all-time at Texas State in rushing TDs, sixth all-time in rushing yards.