Texas State football's ability to punch back will be tested in 'grimy game' against Utah State

SAN MARCOS - Texas State football head coach GJ Kinne said Tuesday he isn't resting on his laurels ahead of Saturday's matchup against Utah State.

Although Texas State did collect a program-record 716 yards in a 66-27 win over Colorado State, the Rams are allowing the most yards per game in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Aggies, led by head coach Bronco Mendenhall, are a gritty team that leans on its defense, which allows 23.1 points per game, fourth-best in the Pac-12. 

"This is going to be a grimy, slimy game, and we got to be disciplined," Kinne said. "They're going to go to the whistle, and we got to live in that area as well."

When the Bobcats get rolling, they can rack up touchdowns at will. They lead the nation in yards and are scoring 40 points per game. But they've struggled when teams punch back, blowing second-half leads in two of their three losses. Texas State lost the third quarter against San Diego State 21-0 after leading 17-3.UTSA won the third 10-6 despite trailing 17-7 at halftime. 

Utah State is the antithesis of Texas State. They took Washington to the brink, losing a nail-biter, 16-14. They've given up the fewest touchdowns in the Pac-12 (14) and are allowing the second-fewest yards per game (359.7). The Aggies' two wins have come via comebacks: Two 14-0 second halves to defeat Troy 21-10, and Washington State 17-16.

Utah State's passing attack is one of the more inefficient in the Pac-12; quarterback Grady Brosterhous is completing 54.9% of his attempts. He's up against a vulnerable Texas State secondary, as opposing offenses average 297.3 air yards against the Bobcats defense, despite the three-high structure designed to stop the pass.

"I would say it's a coverage problem, and we got to fix it," Kinne said. 

If Texas State wants to compete for a Pac-12 championship, it can't afford to drop another game. Road games against Boise State and Oregon State, the top two teams in the conference, await past Utah State.

Kinne said the Bobcats have been okay at handling adversity - not great. They showed the capability to bounce back last Thursday, when a muffed punt gave Colorado State momentum that it leveraged into 21 first-half points. Texas State allowed six points in the second half.

Even if Texas State takes an early lead over Utah State, it can't expect its opponent to roll over. Whether the Bobcats can take a hit and get back up will be tested.

"When something bad happens ... whoever goes out in the field next has to be able to put out the fire, regain that momentum and calm the storm," Kinne said. "That's going to be huge in this game."

This article originally published at Texas State football's ability to punch back will be tested in 'grimy game' against Utah State.