2023 Texas State Bobcats football team explained
The 2023 Texas State Bobcats football team represented Texas State University as a member of the Sun Belt Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach G. J. Kinne and played their home games at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.
The Bobcats finished the regular season 7–5, going 4–4 in Sun Belt play to finish second in the conference's West Division. Texas State was selected to a bowl game for the first time in program history and played Rice in the First Responder Bowl.[2] The Bobcats would win the game 45–21 to finish the season with an overall record of 8–5; the eight wins broke the program record for most wins in a single season as an FBS program. The Bobcats also finished a season with a winning record for the first time since 2014.
Offseason
Coaching changes
On November 27, 2022 the Bobcats fired their head coach Jake Spavital.[3] On December 2, the Bobcats hired G. J. Kinne to be their next head coach. He was formerly the head coach at Incarnate Word.[4]
On December 13, the Bobcats hired Mack Leftwich to be their offensive coordinator.[5] On December 20, they named Kam Martin the running backs coach, Matthew Gregg the cornerbacks coach, and Dexter McCoil Sr. the safeties coach.[6] [7] Two days later, they named Jonathan Patke the defensive coordinator, Craig Stutzmann the receivers coach and pass game coordinator, and Bret Huth as the Assistant Athletic Director, Strength and Conditioning for Football.[8] On December 23, Daniel Da Prato was hired as the special teams coordinator and associate head coach. They also named Will Bryant as their tight ends coach.[9] On February 23, 2023, the Bobcats hired Chris Buckner as the co-wide receivers coach and Clay Jennings as the defensive back coach.[10]
Media poll
In the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll, the Bobcats were picked to finish in fifth place in the West division.[11]
| Media poll (West division) |
| 1 | Troy | 92 (10) |
| 2 | South Alabama | 85 (4) |
| 3 | Louisiana | 64 |
| 4 | Southern Miss | 62 |
| 5 | Texas State | 36 |
| 6 | Arkansas State | 33 |
| 7 | ULM | 20 | |
Defensive lineman Jordan Revels was named to the second team.
Transfers
Outgoing
| Seth Keller | K | Kansas |
| Kyle Hergel | OL | Boston College |
| Ashtyn Hawkins | WR | Withdrew |
| Tory Spears | S | Unknown |
| DeJordan Mask | S | UCF |
| Kaydon Olivia | LS | Unknown |
| Jarron Morris | CB | Florida Atlantic |
| Levi Bell | DL | Unknown |
| Layne Hatcher | QB | Ball State |
| Issiah Nixon | LB | Unknown |
| Lincoln Pare | RB | Withdrew |
| Dalton Cooper | OT | Oklahoma State |
| Davon Sears | DL | Oklahoma |
| Kevin Anderson | S | Unknown |
| Jordan Revels | DE | Withdrew |
| Micah Hilts | TE | SMU |
| Silas Robinson | OL | Incarnate Word |
| Alex Costilla | OL | Incarnate Word |
| Liam Dick | OL | Unknown |
| David Hensley | OL | Unknown |
| Jackson Schultze | OT | Unknown |
| Donnovan Moorer | WR | Unknown |
| Demarcus Gregory | WR | Unknown |
| Nace Washington | LB | Unknown |
| Kajuan Robinson | DL | Unknown |
| Ahmirr Robinson | WR | Unknown |
| Bernock Iya | CB | Unknown |
| Waydale Jones | WR | Unknown |
| DeOnte Washington | DL | Unknown |
| Samuel Obiang | DL | Towson |
| Pierre Kemeni | CB | Unknown |
|
Incoming
[12] [13]
Schedule
The football schedule was announced February 24, 2023.[14]
Personnel
Staff
| G. J. Kinne | Head coach | 1st |
| Mack Leftwich | Offensive coordinator | 1st |
| Jonathan Patke | Defensive coordinator | 1st |
| Special teams/associate head coach | 1st |
| Will Bryant | Tight ends | 1st |
| Jordan Shoemaker | Offensive line/run game | 1st |
| Eric Stephens | Running backs | 1st |
| Wide receivers/passing game | 1st |
| Matthew Gregg | Cornerbacks | 1st |
| Safeties | 1st |
| Mike O'Guin | Defensive line | 1st |
|
[15]
Game summaries
At Baylor
See also: 2023 Baylor Bears football team.
| Statistics | TXST | BAY |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 22 |
| Total yards | 441 | 524 |
| Rushing yards | 143 | 108 |
| Passing yards | 298 | 416 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 26:12 | 33:48 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | | 22/30, 298 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | | 6 rushes, 83 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Joey Hobert | 6 receptions, 105 yards, TD |
| Baylor | Passing | | 21/31, 303 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Dominic Richardson | 16 rushes, 79 yards |
| Receiving | Drake Dabney | 6 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD | |
At UTSA
See also: 2023 UTSA Roadrunners football team.
| Statistics | TXST | UTSA |
|---|
| First downs | 13 | 28 |
| Total yards | 242 | 372 |
| Rushing yards | 31 | 158 |
| Passing yards | 211 | 214 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 22:37 | 37:23 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 16/30, 211 yards |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 6 rushes, 23 yards |
| Receiving | Drew Donley | 5 receptions, 79 yards |
| UTSA | Passing | | 26/37, 214 yards, TD |
| Rushing | | 26 rushes, 103 yards |
| Receiving | Tykee Ogle-Kellogg | 6 receptions, 78 yards | |
Jackson State
See also: 2023 Jackson State Tigers football team.
| Statistics | JKST | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 34 |
| Total yards | 400 | 684 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 399 |
| Passing yards | 282 | 285 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:46 | 25:14 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Jackson State | Passing | Jason Brown | 16/26, 209 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Ahmad Miller | 13 rushes, 98 yards |
| Receiving | Kobe Paul | 2 receptions, 54 yards |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 17/21, 251 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Malik Hornsby | 10 rushes, 133 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Drew Donley | 3 receptions, 83 yards, TD | |
Nevada
See also: 2023 Nevada Wolf Pack football team.
| Statistics | NEV | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 20 | 24 |
| Total yards | 353 | 574 |
| Rushing yards | 159 | 276 |
| Passing yards | 194 | 298 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:25 | 28:35 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nevada | Passing | | 21/32, 151 yards, INT |
| Rushing | Brandon Lewis | 12 rushes, 89 yards |
| Receiving | Isaiah Essissima | 2 receptions, 67 yards |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 25/31, 295 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 21 rushes, 216 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Kole Wilson | 4 receptions, 93 yards, TD | |
The Bobcats' offense struggled in the first half, committing two turnovers, including an interception that was returned 98 yards for a touchdown, and failing to convert on 4th down as they were shutout in the half with the Wolf Pack leading 17–0 at half time. Texas State would comeback in the 2nd half, scoring 35 unanswered points.
At Southern Miss
See also: 2023 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team.
| Statistics | TXST | USM |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 28 |
| Total yards | 516 | 510 |
| Rushing yards | 178 | 235 |
| Passing yards | 338 | 275 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 23:22 | 36:38 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 19/24, 338 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 14 rushes, 89 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | Joey Hobert | 10 receptions, 126 yards, TD |
| Southern Miss | Passing | | 21/44, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | | 24 rushes, 123 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Latreal Jones | 6 receptions, 124 yards | |
At Louisiana
See also: 2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| LA –1.5 | 66.5 | |
| Statistics | TXST | UL |
|---|
| First downs | 29 | 21 |
| Total yards | 530 | 423 |
| Rushing yards | 204 | 218 |
| Passing yards | 326 | 205 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:27 | 26:33 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 30/40, 326 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 34 rushes, 188 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Joey Hobert | 8 receptions, 132 yards, TD |
| Louisiana | Passing | | 13/17, 205 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Zeon Chriss | 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Robert Williams | 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD | |
Louisiana–Monroe
See also: 2023 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team.
| Statistics | ULM | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 14 | 29 |
| Total yards | 285 | 452 |
| Rushing yards | 135 | 230 |
| Passing yards | 150 | 222 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 22:42 | 37:18 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Louisiana–Monroe | Passing | | 14/22, 150 yards, TD |
| Rushing | Isaiah Woullard | 14 rushes, 55 yards |
| Receiving | Nolan Quinlan | 3 receptions, 52 yards |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 24/46, 222 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Donerio Davenport | 15 rushes, 94 yards |
| Receiving | Joey Hobert | 10 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TD | |
Troy
See also: 2023 Troy Trojans football team.
| Statistics | TROY | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 26 |
| Total yards | 420 | 437 |
| Rushing yards | 28 | 161 |
| Passing yards | 392 | 276 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 30:58 | 29:02 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Troy | Passing | | 26/40, 392 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | | 18 rushes, 43 yards |
| Receiving | | 10 receptions, 160 yards, TD |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 24/38, 262 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 20 rushes, 128 yards |
| Receiving | Kole Wilson | 8 receptions, 71 yards | |
Georgia Southern
See also: 2023 Georgia Southern Eagles football team.
| Statistics | GASO | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 21 | 30 |
| Total yards | 375 | 487 |
| Rushing yards | 180 | 186 |
| Passing yards | 195 | 301 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 25:04 | 34:56 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Georgia Southern | Passing | | 18/27, 195 yards, TD, INT |
| Rushing | | 17 rushes, 159 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Khaleb Hood | 7 receptions, 67 yards |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 25/31, 301 yards, 3 TD |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 20 rushes, 99 yards |
| Receiving | Joey Hobert | 13 receptions, 141 yards, TD | |
At Coastal Carolina
See also: 2023 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football team.
| Statistics | TXST | CCU |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 23 |
| Total yards | 280 | 347 |
| Rushing yards | 199 | 188 |
| Passing yards | 81 | 159 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:42 | 34:18 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 6/11, 49 yards |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 21 rushes, 97 yards |
| Receiving | Kole Wilson | 4 receptions, 35 yards |
| Coastal Carolina | Passing | Ethan Vasko | 17/27, 145 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | Reese White | 12 rushes, 41 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Sam Pickney | 6 receptions, 81 yards, TD | |
At Arkansas State
See also: 2023 Arkansas State Red Wolves football team.
| Statistics | TXST | ARST |
|---|
| First downs | 32 | 23 |
| Total yards | 539 | 487 |
| Rushing yards | 173 | 291 |
| Passing yards | 366 | 196 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 34:06 | 25:54 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 37/55, 366 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT |
| Rushing | Donerio Davenport | 14 rushes, 76 yards |
| Receiving | Ashtyn Hawkins | 8 receptions, 165 yards |
| Arkansas State | Passing | | 14/17, 196 yards |
| Rushing | | 13 rushes, 139 yards, 3 TD |
| Receiving | Courtney Jackson | 7 receptions, 107 yards | |
South Alabama
See also: 2023 South Alabama Jaguars football team.
| Statistics | USA | TXST |
|---|
| First downs | 26 | 22 |
| Total yards | 476 | 479 |
| Rushing yards | 77 | 111 |
| Passing yards | 399 | 368 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 31:21 | 28:39 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| South Alabama | Passing | | 18/21, 216 yards, 4 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Braylon McReynolds | 19 rushes, 79 yards |
| Receiving | | 11 receptions, 94 yards, TD |
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 19/28, 368 yards, 3 TD, INT |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 23 rushes, 97 yards, TD |
| Receiving | Ashtyn Hawkins | 5 receptions, 131 yards, TD | |
Vs. Rice (First Responder Bowl)
See also: 2023 First Responder Bowl and 2023 Rice Owls football team.
| Statistics | TXST | RICE |
|---|
| First downs | 15 | 16 |
| Total yards | 300 | 197 |
| Rushing yards | 148 | 85 |
| Passing yards | 152 | 112 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 6 |
| Time of possession | 30:17 | 29:43 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Texas State | Passing | T. J. Finley | 15/29, 152 yards |
| Rushing | Ismail Mahdi | 24 rushes, 122 yards |
| Receiving | Ashtyn Hawkins | 3 receptions, 55 yards |
| Rice | Passing | A. J. Padgett | 10/21, 85 yards, TD, 3 INT |
| Rushing | Dean Connors | 15 rushes, 64 yards, 2 TD |
| Receiving | Elijah Mojarro | 3 receptions, 35 yards | |
Notes and References
- News: . Ciardello . Keff . Texas State notebook: Kinne has infused team with IWU staff, players . February 3, 2023 . September 17, 2023.
- Web site: . Gates . Billy . Texas State selected to play in SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, 1st bowl game in program history . December 3, 2023 . December 5, 2023.
- Web site: Texas State fires football coach Jake Spavital after 4 years. Adam. Rittenburg. November 27, 2022. November 27, 2022. espn.com. ESPN.
- Web site: Ciardello . Keff . Texas State moves quickly, hires FCS coach G.J. Kinne as Bobcats' next head coach . Statesmen . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Craven . Mike . Incarnate Word assistant Mack Leftwich following G.J. Kinne to Texas State as Bobcats offensive coordinator . Texas Football.com . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Jones . Taylor . Former Tiger hired as assistant coach for Group of Five program . Auburn Wire . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Gregg, McCoil Added to Defensive Coaching Staff . TXST.com . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Patke, Stutzmann, Huth Added to Coaching Staff . TXST.com . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Bryant, Da Prato Round Out Coaching Staff . TXST.com . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Two new coaches join Texas State Football Staff . Corridor News . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: 2023-07-24 . Sun Belt Announces Football Preseason Awards & Poll . 2023-08-08 . sunbeltsports.org . en.
- Web site: 2023 Texas State Football Transfer Portal. ON3 . en.
- Web site: Texas State Bobcats 2023 College Football Transfer Portal. 247Sports . en.
- Web site: 2023 Texas State Football Schedule . FBSchedules . 27 February 2023.
- Web site: Football Coaching Staff. 2023-05-13. txst.com. en.
