San Marcos, TX – The Louisiana Ragin Cajuns started slowly. They built their lead gradually over Texas State (4-8, 2-6)  holding the Bobcats’ one-dimensional offense in check. In the end, they win their sixth game to qualify for bowl eligibility, 41-13.  The one-dimensional TSU possessed came in RB Lincoln Pare. The sophomore carried 28 times for 221 yards and one TD. On one carry, he ran right by us as we stood along the sideline for 56 yards.  He also burst later on for a 64-yard jaunt.  On Sunday, Texas State released their HC Jake Spavital after four years with no bowl bids and a 13-35 record.

   As for our Texas Thanksgiving Two-step weekend, thanks very much to Zach Rittle, our future son-in-law. Zach (PSU grad) works as director of Business Development at Texas State. As a family, we enjoyed a tremendous, gameday experience.  Before the game, we met up with many great TSU fans at the Pavilion at Bobcat Stadium for Texas BBQ and beverages.  We got pre-game sideline passes, and we enjoyed seats and food during the game in the club level.  During the game, we ventured along the sideline to capture the action right along the field.  After the game, the was a season-ending celebration in the end zone with dance music by the “Spazmatics.”  We find I definitely worthwhile to support TSU sports for our annual visit to see the Bobcats.

Begins with a Bobcat break

    The Cajuns kickoff to open the game went out of bounds. TSU started from the 35 and paid off as Seth Keller’s 38-yard FG gave the Bobcats a quick 3-0 lead.  Before the period ended, Chandler Fields connected with RB Chris Smith (10 rushes, 69 yards, one TD) for an 18-yard TD pass for a 7-3 lead Louisiana never relinquished. 

  The closest the Bobcats closed the score came early in the first. Keller launched a 40-yard FG thanks mostly to Pare’s 57-yard jaunt.  Alter that, the Ragin Cajuns dominated the scoreboard the entire half. Two Kenneth Almandares FGs of 33 and 27 yards sandwiched a Der’lyn Washington 8-yard TD run (10 rushes, 73 yards, one TD). Louisiana led 20-6 at halftime. 

All that glitters is gold

    For halftime, the Texas State Strutters strutted their stuff in a season-ending Christmas celebration.  The golden uniforms lit up the darkening sky.  Great show!

     Ten plays into the period, the Cajuns put together an eight-play TD drive. A 24-yard run by Chris Smith (13 for 69 yards, one TD) set up his next carry from the one for a TD. The Bobcats retaliated with the only offense they could generate the entire game.  Pare burst through a hole for a 64-yard touchdown run to cut the lead, 27-13.   The Cats seemed to breathe new life when S Dejordan Mask picked off a pass at their 12.  However, it fizzled with a punt.  The defense came around again to challenge the Cajuns stopping them on a third and one from the UL 27.  They forced a punt.  The effort went for naught again with the visitors holding the lead going into the final period. 

Louisiana Cajuns close

    Louisiana (6-4, 4-4) continued their drive into the fourth. It finished with a three-yard scoring pass from Fields (16 for 26, 187 yards, one TD, one INT)  to Peter LeBlanc to up their lead, 34-13.  Next time the Cajuns got the ball, they drove 84 yards capped by a 37-yard TD pass from back-up QB Zeon Chriss. He connected with Lance Legendre (four or 81 yards, one TD) to close the scoring. They put the stamp on the Cajun win, 41-13.

    Next up!

   The Cajuns became bowl eligible.  There seems to be openings for all 6-6 teams. Mathematically, it’s been determined to fill 82 bowl slots, at least one 5-7 team will be invited.  When we hear that 82 of 131 programs are going to bowl games. Why not invite every team who wants to play another game?  Call them consolation games.  That’s what most of the bowl “festivals” have become. 

Texas State goes out searching for a new coaching staff.  Located in one of the most football fertile states in the country and being the only Sun Belt program in the Lone Star State, it needs to take advantage quickly.  Supposedly they will look for a coach with head coaching experience.  Whoever they get, we’d like to see him open up the offense. Hopefully, they draw more people to Bobcat Stadium to bring some excitement for the fans in the fast-improving Sun Belt Conference. 

FCS playoffs

     As for Collegefootballfan.com, we look forward to attending an FCS playoff game.  We pinpointed next weekend’s game to be hosted by Southern Conference champion Samford (10-1), sixth-seeded, in Homewood, AL.  The one loss suffered by these Bulldogs came at the paws and jaws of those other Bulldogs of the FBS, No. 1 Georgia, 33-0.  The Dawgs of Samford host 9-4 SE Louisiana, 45-42 winner over Idaho in Round one.  

Seen ‘em all, until…

     This poses a recent rarity for CFF.com.  We attend a game at a place we’ve never been between two teams we’ve never seen play. A three-fer on our account.  FCS, of course! Funny because at Texas State, Bobcat fans Kent and Karen Pope were trying to find an opportunity to have us come back to see their Cats against a team we haven’t seen yet. Frustrated them! Explained it would probably have to be against one of the three joining the FBS in the next two years – Jacksonville State, Sam Houston, or Kennesaw.  This could work out sooner than expected.

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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: From the Fan who’s seen ‘em all!  If you like our stories, read all our tales when we saw all 120 FBS teams (at the time of publication) play for the first time.  Or, start thinking Christmas gifts for your favorite college football fans!  We also encourage you and whoever you buy for to submit a review for us. Please click on the title or copy of the cover on our right sidebar to go to our Amazon page to buy and review.  Thanks!