By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Following its 26-20 double overtime loss to BYU, the Bears return to McLane Stadium for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff against Texas State. The game can be seen on FS1. It’s the final non-conference game before Big 12 play begins Sept. 24 at Iowa State.
Baylor opened the 2021 season in San Marcos and had to fight off the Bobcats to survive, 29-20. Obviously, much changed for both teams following that meeting.
Texas State Bobcats
Head Coach: Jake Spavital (10-28, 4th season)
2022 record: 1-1 lost to Nevada, 38-14; d. FIU, 41-12
Returning starters: Texas State returned 19 starters
Key Players: WR Javen Banks, OT Dalton Cooper, RB Calvin Hill, LB London Harris, DT Samuel Obiang, LB Sione Tupou
All-time series: Baylor leads, 8-0
Common Denominator: Baylor OL coach Eric Mateos held the same role at Texas State in 2017-18. Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts held the DC role at Texas State in 2003. Former Baylor walk-on QB CJ Rogers transferred to Texas State during the summer and is on scholarship.
Offense: One-back
Defense: 3-3-5 stack
About Texas State on offense: Arkansas State transfer Layne Hatcher has won the starting QB position and is off to a good start. He’s just a couple of ticks shy of completing 60 percent of his passes and is beyond 500 yards through the first two games along with five touchdowns against three interceptions. It’s a safe passing attack averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Hatcher’s favorite target has been DeSoto product Ashtyn Hawkins who already has 15 receptions. The running game has been hit and miss. Calvin Hill struggled in the opener against Nevada (10 yards) but blew up against FIU (195). This offense does turn it over. It’s committed six, three INT, three lost fumbles.
About Texas State on defense: So far, the stack look has enjoyed some success. Opponents are averaging 293 yards per game. Impressively, the average yards per rushing attempt is 3.0. The Bobcats have been applying a fair amount of pressure on opposing QBs with five sacks and seven QB hurries. LB Sione Tupou has started quickly with 18 tackles. Junior DL Levi Bell has been dominant with 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Senior DB Kordell Rodgers from Lufkin has both INTs for the defense including a 60-yard Pick 6 against FIU last week. The other thing is that this unit is getting off the field after third down. The first two opponents have converted at just 28 percent.
About Texas State on special teams: Punter Seamus O’Kelly is off to a booming start averaging 45 yards per effort. Half of his 12 punts have been fair caught. Kickers have rotated between Mason Shipley and Seth Keller. Each has converted one field goal attempt. It appears Shipley is the long-distance kicker as he is used on kickoffs. Keller is for shorter attempts and PATs. Rontavius Groves is the punt returner. Donnovan Moorer is the primary kick returner.
The Bottom Line: There are always goofy stats for every team at the start of the season. For Texas State, it has been outscored in the third quarter, 24-0, but then outscored its opponents in the fourth quarter, 28-6. The Bobcats appear to be a better team, especially on the defensive side. Now, it may be relative to the G5 brand of football they play. Offensively, the Bobcats rebounded nicely last week against FIU. However, their turnovers are a problem and that’s what really hurt in the loss to Nevada. They committed four. This is a team that may find some occasional success Saturday but not enough to keep up with the Bears.
Publisher
Following its 26-20 double overtime loss to BYU, the Bears return to McLane Stadium for an 11:00 a.m. kickoff against Texas State. The game can be seen on FS1. It’s the final non-conference game before Big 12 play begins Sept. 24 at Iowa State.
Baylor opened the 2021 season in San Marcos and had to fight off the Bobcats to survive, 29-20. Obviously, much changed for both teams following that meeting.
Texas State Bobcats
Head Coach: Jake Spavital (10-28, 4th season)
2022 record: 1-1 lost to Nevada, 38-14; d. FIU, 41-12
Returning starters: Texas State returned 19 starters
Key Players: WR Javen Banks, OT Dalton Cooper, RB Calvin Hill, LB London Harris, DT Samuel Obiang, LB Sione Tupou
All-time series: Baylor leads, 8-0
Common Denominator: Baylor OL coach Eric Mateos held the same role at Texas State in 2017-18. Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts held the DC role at Texas State in 2003. Former Baylor walk-on QB CJ Rogers transferred to Texas State during the summer and is on scholarship.
Offense: One-back
Defense: 3-3-5 stack
About Texas State on offense: Arkansas State transfer Layne Hatcher has won the starting QB position and is off to a good start. He’s just a couple of ticks shy of completing 60 percent of his passes and is beyond 500 yards through the first two games along with five touchdowns against three interceptions. It’s a safe passing attack averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Hatcher’s favorite target has been DeSoto product Ashtyn Hawkins who already has 15 receptions. The running game has been hit and miss. Calvin Hill struggled in the opener against Nevada (10 yards) but blew up against FIU (195). This offense does turn it over. It’s committed six, three INT, three lost fumbles.
About Texas State on defense: So far, the stack look has enjoyed some success. Opponents are averaging 293 yards per game. Impressively, the average yards per rushing attempt is 3.0. The Bobcats have been applying a fair amount of pressure on opposing QBs with five sacks and seven QB hurries. LB Sione Tupou has started quickly with 18 tackles. Junior DL Levi Bell has been dominant with 4.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Senior DB Kordell Rodgers from Lufkin has both INTs for the defense including a 60-yard Pick 6 against FIU last week. The other thing is that this unit is getting off the field after third down. The first two opponents have converted at just 28 percent.
About Texas State on special teams: Punter Seamus O’Kelly is off to a booming start averaging 45 yards per effort. Half of his 12 punts have been fair caught. Kickers have rotated between Mason Shipley and Seth Keller. Each has converted one field goal attempt. It appears Shipley is the long-distance kicker as he is used on kickoffs. Keller is for shorter attempts and PATs. Rontavius Groves is the punt returner. Donnovan Moorer is the primary kick returner.
The Bottom Line: There are always goofy stats for every team at the start of the season. For Texas State, it has been outscored in the third quarter, 24-0, but then outscored its opponents in the fourth quarter, 28-6. The Bobcats appear to be a better team, especially on the defensive side. Now, it may be relative to the G5 brand of football they play. Offensively, the Bobcats rebounded nicely last week against FIU. However, their turnovers are a problem and that’s what really hurt in the loss to Nevada. They committed four. This is a team that may find some occasional success Saturday but not enough to keep up with the Bears.
