Texas State University Bobcat Football:By George He’s Got It!

In a game which senior quarterback Bradley George broke a school record for career passing yards and senior tailback Alvin Canady ran for 116 more yards, the Texas State Bobcats returned home to defeat Texas Southern 52-18 at Bobcat Stadium Saturday night.

George finished the game completing 23 or 38 passes for 325 yards including two touchdowns en route to the victory. His 325 yards passing gives him 7,287 yards in his career and that breaks Texas State’s school record previously held by Barrick Nealy, who had 7,206 yards passing in his career at Texas State from 2003-05. It also marked the second time this season and sixth time in his career he has thrown for over 300 yards.

Da’Marcus Griggs recorded season highs of 11 receptions for 141 yards and scored the second touchdown of his season with a 13-yard touchdown catch to start Texas State’s scoring barrage in the first quarter.

Canady complemented the offensive attack with his second 100-yard rushing game with the Bobcats and he had two scores, one of which, being set up on a 40 yard run.

The victory improved Texas State’s record to 2-1. The loss left Texas Southern at 1-3. Texas Southern quarterback Arvell Nelson completed 31 of 47 pass for 325 yards. Nelson was also the Tigers top rusher accounting for 83 yards on 18 carriers.

The Bobcats enjoyed a 24-12 halftime advantage. The Bobcats halftime advantage would have been six points greater, if it had not been for an usual play as the first half expired. It began when Texas State kicker Justin Garelick lined up for a 44 yard field attempt. Southern linebacker John Cole blocked the kick. Cornerback Harry Brown picked up the loose ball. Four laterals later De’Markus Washington ran into the end zone around left end as time expired.

Texas State took control of the game in third quarter capitalizing on a fumble recovery at the Texas State 39 yard line. The Bobcats scored on eight plays to widen their advantage to 31-12. Texas State struck quickly in the fourth period. Canady dashed 40 yards around right end to the Southern 2 yard line before capping the drive on the next play widening Texas State’s advantage to 38-12.

Then, midway through the final quarter, Texas State ended any doubt about the outcome expanding its lead to 45-12 on a seven play drive. Running back Frank Reddic climaxed the scoring drive with a 19-yard scamper.

The Bobcats took an early lead late in the first quarter when George hit Da’Marcus Griggs for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap an 11-play, 77-yard drive and a 7-0 lead with 2:21 left in the first quarter.

After Robert Harsh kicked a field goal to make the score 7-3, freshman kicker Justin Garelick kicked the first field goal of his collegiate career when he connected from 44-yards with 7:15 left in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Texas State forced a fumble by Texas Southern quarterback Ravel Nelson at the six yard line and Joplo Bartu recovered for the Bobcats at the one-yard line. The Bobcats capitalized on the turnover on the first play when senior fullback Trey Hampton ran up the middle for his second touchdown of the season to give Texas State a 17-3 lead with 5:55 left in the opening half.

After Bartu recovered his second fumble of the night, George hit Daren Dillard for a 13-yard touchdown to give Texas State a 24-6 lead.

The Tigers closed out the scoring in the first half whe n the Tigers blocked a 17-yard field goal attempt by Garelick and four players combined to return it 90 yards for a touchdown. Harry Brown recovered the blocked kick at the 10-yard line and returned it 68 yards to Texas State’s 22-yard line before he gave the ball to DeJuan Fulghum at the 25-yard line. Fulgham then gave the ball to Roland Melancon, who gained a yard before De’Markus Washington ran the final 24 yards for the touchdown. The Tigers failed on the two-point conversion to make the halftime score 24-12.

The win improves Texas State’s record to 2-1, while Texas Southern fell to 1-3 this season.