Streaks over, Bobcats look to build

Two streaks came to an end Saturday night in Conway, S.C. Texas State’s six-game losing skid

the Bobcats’ 13-game losing streak against Sun Belt teams.

Saturday night’s 27-7 road win over Coastal Carolina was nearly a complete game for Texas State (2-6, 1-3), which gained 507 yards of total offense while not allowing an offensive score on defense; the Chanticleers’ only touchdown came on a fumble return during a field goal attempt by the Bobcats.

Coastal Carolina (1-7, 0-5) was held to just 183 yards of total offense.

Bobcats quarterback Damian Williams completed 27 of 38 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns, completing a pass to eight differ- ent receivers. He threw an interception but was instru- mental in leading the Bobcats’ up-tempo style that netted 91 offensive snaps.

“The big deal this past week was we wanted to make sure we sped up the game offensively, be more a tempo offense, more of what we really want to be,” Bobcats coach Everett Withers said. “To do that, you have to play a number of guys . ... I think we’re starting to get an identity and I think that starts with the tempo of our offense.”

The Bobcats rushed for a season-high 238 yards. Freshmen Anthony Smith andJaylin Nelson led the way, com- bining for 122 yards on 18 carries — 12 carries for 70 yards for Smith and six carries for 52 yards for Nelson. Smith scored and Nelson had the longest run of the day when he went for 33 yards.

“It’s really special to win a conference game on the road, but as we move forward I think we’ve got a lot of things we’re trying to get done as we grow the football team and grow the pro- gram,” Withers said. “That’s one of the milestones, we get to check that one off and move on . ...

“We’re going to try to be better this week and try to go win another one. That’s the objective.”

Injury report: Williams has a swollen hand after hitting it in the game. While the injury isn’t serious, Withers said the staff will monitor his progress this week. Backup quarterback Willie Jones III played a little when the game was out of reach, but also is still healing from a hip flexor injury.

In eight starts, Williams has completed 108 of 191 passes for 1,186 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for 120 yards and four touchdowns. Jones has played in six games, completing 16 of 28 passes for 270 yards, one pick and no touchdowns. He also has 128 rushing yards on 33 carries.

Defensive end Dean Taylor left the game against Coastal with a stinger but is expected to be available this week.