Texas State returned home following a disheartening 35-14 loss to New Mexico the previous week to dismantle Idaho, 38-7.
The Bobcats looked better in every facet of the game in their win over the Vandals. Plus, Texas State actually scored in the second half.
Let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from last Saturday’s game.
Good
- The Bobcats’ rushing attack — Finally, Dennis Franchione‘s team got it going on the ground. Texas State rushed for an average of 7.2 yards per carry last Saturday. The Bobcats gashed Idaho for 337 yards on 47 carries, with senior running back Marcus Curry and senior quarterback Shaun Rutherford combining for 170 on 27 with two touchdowns.
- Texas State’s offensive line — This group had a lot to prove after its showing a few weeks ago against New Mexico. The Bobcats’ front pushed the Vandals around all night and kept Rutherford upright. Freshman tackle Adrian Bellard and sophomore Charlie Will Tuttle moved a lot of mass on the left side of the line.
- Junior quarterback Tyler Arndt‘s heart — Franchione approached Arndt late in Saturday’s win, asking him if he’d mind letting junior quarterback Duke DeLancellotti get some snaps. Arndt said he didn’t mind. Three plays later, DeLancellotti ran in a 6-yard touchdown. As it turns out, DeLancellotti’s parents, who are from California, were in the crowd.
Bad
- Texas State’s rush defense — If Idaho kept the ball on the ground, Craig Naivar‘s group could have been in trouble. The Vandals’ running backs (James Baker and Ryan Bass) averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Ugly
- Chase Harper running the opposite way on fourth down — Instead of running toward the first-down marker on fourth-and-3, Harper bounced it horizontally. Idaho stopped Harper for a 1-yard gain and the Bobcats turned it over on downs. Harper’s mistake didn’t cost Texas State too much, as its defense stopped the Vandals on the ensuing drive, got the ball back and put together a 14-play, 84-yard touchdown drive that spanned eight minutes, 33 seconds.
