SAN MARCOS — Texas State (1-0) narrowly defeated Lamar (0-1) 34-27 in a gripping home opener at United Federal Credit Union Stadium (UFCU), overcoming a second-half rally and crucial penalties to secure the win.
In a tightly contested game, Texas State built an early 18-0 lead with strong performances from quarterback Jordan McCloud and running back Ismail Mahdi, but had to withstand a fierce second-half comeback by Lamar. Despite McCloud’s standout debut with 238 yards and three touchdowns and Mahdi’s 158 rushing yards, the Bobcats struggled with penalties and turnovers, nearly letting the game slip away before ultimately holding on for the win.
“I’m proud of the guys getting a win; it definitely was not pretty,” Kinne said. “Give Lamar a ton of credit. They came in here ready to play.”
McCloud connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass to newcomer Jaden Williams, a transfer from Boston College, to put the Bobcats on the board. As expected, Mahdi continued to make an impact, finding the end zone in the first half.
Head coach G.J. Kinne inserted backup quarterback R.J. Martinez during the first half, who showcased his mobility with a 15-yard scramble and added 35 passing yards. Despite Kinne’s pre-game promise to rotate the quarterbacks, the early insertion of Martinez was unexpected. Meanwhile, running back Lincoln Pare, returning from an ACL injury that sidelined him last season, contributed with several significant runs, highlighting a well-rounded offensive performance. The offense failed to find the end zone with Martinez at quarterback and settled for a field goal, maintaining an 18-0 lead at halftime.
Martinez nearly threw an interception in the red zone, but the Lamar defender dropped the pass. There was noticeable debate among fans about the coaching staff’s decision to insert Martinez at that moment, given McCloud’s sharp performance. The situation will be closely watched when UTSA visits next week.
“RJ performed really well in fall camp. We wanted to get him some snaps early in the game,” Kinne said. “I thought he deserved that.”
At halftime, Texas State had a strong lead, with Jaden Williams leading the receiving corps with 54 yards. Despite the advantage, Lamar was determined to make a comeback and refused to go down without a fight.
Lamar came out in the second half with a strong run game, and Texas State’s mounting penalties gave the Cardinals excellent field position. Lamar capitalized, scoring a touchdown on their first drive to cut the deficit to 18-7. The Lamar defense stepped up, holding Texas State to just a field goal on their first possession of the half with McCloud back at quarterback.
Lamar’s offense, led by Robert Coleman, gained momentum. Coleman connected with Fuselier for a 41-yard gain, putting the Cardinals in the red zone. However, Texas State’s defense made a crucial stand with a third-down sack by Dominique Ratcliff, forcing Lamar to settle for a field goal. The score was 21-10 in favor of Texas State.
McCloud then threw his first career interception at Texas State, ending the third quarter with a significant shift in momentum. At the end of the quarter, McCloud had passed for 149 yards on 17-of-25 attempts, with one touchdown and one interception. Mahdi rushed for 124 yards on 19 carries, including a touchdown.
Lamar, guided by Coleman, made a push in the fourth quarter. They cut the lead to 21-17 with a 47-yard touchdown from former Texas State receiver Sevonne Rhea. McCloud then connected with Joey Hobert for a 37-yard touchdown, with Hobert making an acrobatic leap into the end zone. The score was now 28-17, with McCloud at 193 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Mahdi had added 151 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown.
Texas State’s defense continued its strong performance, forcing a three-and-out on Lamar’s next drive. Jaden Williams set up the Bobcats with a key catch and run, and McCloud found Hobert again for a 30-yard touchdown. Hobert hurdled a Lamar defender on his way to the end zone, putting Texas State ahead 34-17 with five minutes left.
Penalties began to hurt Texas State as they gave up significant yardage, allowing Lamar to score a quick touchdown pass from Coleman to Jayden Boyd, narrowing the lead to 34-24. With three minutes remaining, Texas State had a quick three-and-out, giving Lamar one last chance, or so they thought. Ben Bell delivered a crucial sack, and Texas State’s defense, which had recorded 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks, stepped up despite Lamar’s offensive pressure.
“I thought they did a good job of applying pressure and getting some sacks,” Kinne said. “We had a couple more that we had penalties on, but I’m proud of the defensive line making it tough on the quarterback.”
Lamar added a field goal, benefiting from Texas State’s 156 yards on 16 penalties. With just a minute left, Lamar recovered an onside kick and had a chance to make a final push. Despite the unexpected challenge—Texas State was favored by 31.5 points—the Bobcats held on for a 34-27 victory. It was a hard-fought win for Texas State, highlighting the need for improved discipline as they prepare for their next game against UTSA.
“It’s probably the best thing to happen to us,” Kinne said. “It’s good to face some adversity. We needed that, and we won.”
