Texas State flexes muscles on defense, wins Sun Belt opener 38-17 over Troy

  

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas State opened Sun Belt Conference play on the right foot, thumping Troy 38-17 Thursday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.

The Bobcats (3-2, 1-0 SBC) defense swarmed the Trojans, sacking the quarterback six times and creating 10 tackles for loss for 53 yards. Texas State forced three fumbles with two recoveries, allowing Troy (1-5, 0-2 SBC) to gain just 1.9 yards per rush. The Trojans rushed for 63 yards on 33 attempts.

Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud accounted for four touchdowns, three through the air and one on the ground. He completed 20 of 29 attempts for 252 yards with two interceptions and rushed for 72 yards on seven carries. He scampered 42 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Bobcats had five plays that gained more than 20 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown pass from McCloud to Kole Wilson and a 28-yard touchdown toss to Joey Hobert in the second quarter. Wilson had four catches for 77 yards.

The Bobcats rushed for 215 yards on 39 carries with Torrance Burgess Jr. gaining 85 yards on 12 carries. Texas State outgained Troy 467-331 and averaged 6.9 yards per play.

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Defensively for Texas State, Jo’Laison Landry had 2.5 sacks and Tory Spears notched eight tackles.

The Bobcats are back at UFCU Stadium next week hosting Arkansas State at 6 p.m., Oct. 12.