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.
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Texas State defensive linemen Kalil Alexander (22), Jo’Laison Landry (6) and Steven Parker (0) celebrate a sack of Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease (10) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State defensive lineman Terry Webb (3) celebrates a stop with Texas State defensive back Justin Harris (20) during an NCAA football game against Troy on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State wide receiver Jaden Williams (0) celebrates with Texas State tight end Konner Fox (9) after Williams’ touchdown catch against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State defensive lineman Jo’Laison Landry (6) pursues Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease (10) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) rolls out to find a passing lane against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
A fan salutes the Troy Alma Mater performed by the band before an NCAA football game against Texas State on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State tight end Konner Fox (9) celebrates with running back Ismail Mahdi (21) after Mahdi’s touchdown run against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State defensive back Kaleb Culp (19) tackles Troy running back Damien Taylor (3) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Peyton Higgins (2) grabs a pass in front of of Texas State defensive back Chris Mills (7) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Mojo Dortch (5) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Elijah Prather (58) during an NCAA football game against Texas State on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State defensive back Jordan Polk (10) forces a fumble by Troy wide receiver Peyton Higgins (2) inside the red zone during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. Texas State recovered the fumble to end the scoring threat. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Landon Parker (1) runs the ball after a catch with Texas State defensive back Donte Thompson (16) trying for a tackle during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease (10) throws a long pass against Texas State during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State wide receiver Joey Hobert (10) celebrates his touchdown reception against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Landon Parker (1) grabs a pass against Texas State during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Landon Parker (1) signals for a first down against Texas State during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Landon Parker (1) collides with Texas State defensive backs Chris Mills (7) and Darius Jackson (5) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) sets up to pass against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State head coach GJ Kinne looks on during an NCAA football game against Troy on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy wide receiver Roman Mothershed (17) tries for a one-handed catch but can’t finish the play with Texas State defensive back Canden Grogan (21) defending during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy quarterback Tucker Kilcrease (10) runs the ball against Texas State during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) gets loose for a touchdown run during an NCAA football game against Troy on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State quarterback Jordan McCloud (3) throws the ball during an NCAA football game against Troy on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy head coach Gerad Parker walks the sideline during an NCAA football game against Texas State on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State running back Torrance Burgess Jr. (22) runs the ball past Troy defensive back Trent Henry (12) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Troy defensive back LJ Green (21) makes an interception in the end zone in front of Texas State wide receiver Chris Dawn, Jr. (1) during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) -
Texas State running back Deion Hankins (33) runs the ball against Troy during an NCAA football game on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
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.