Nov. 9, 2007

Texas State Game Notes l Nicholls State Game Notes
Southland Conference Game Notes

SAN MARCOS - Texas State stretched its current win streak to three games with last week's 45-31 win over Southeastern Louisiana. Now the Bobcats look for win number four of the streak and the program's second straight on the road when the squad travels to Nicholls State.

While Texas State is the winner of three straight, Nicholls State is mired in a three-game losing streak. The skid began with a 28-7 loss to No. 6 McNeese State and was followed by back-to-back losses at Central Arkansas (49-42 in overtime) and at Sam Houston State last week (16-13). The Colonels opened the year by winning at Rice, 16-14. NSU was 5-1 through the first half of the season.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday as Nicholls State celebrates Family Day, referred to in the Cajun-influenced community as Fête de la Famille.

Nicholls State has won the last two meetings and five of the last six in its series with Texas State. The Bobcats last beat the Colonels 35-12 on a cold, blustery November afternoon in 2004.

All told, Nicholls State holds a 14-11 lead in its series with Texas State.

Since 1998 floods in Central Texas forced the postponement of a game between Nicholls and Texas State, the two teams have played for a rowing oar in what is called the "Battle for the Paddle." Since the two teams have played for the oar, Nicholls State holds a 5-4 edge in the series.

Offensively, Nicholls State will look to run first. No secret there.

The Colonels rank eighth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 258.3 yards per game this season. NSU ranks last in the nation in passing offense (86.0 yards per game) but the Colonels have beat opponents with the long ball. Four different receivers have catches of 40+ yards.

Junior quarterback Vin Montgomery has completed 36-of-079 passes for 646 yards and three touchdowns. Senior fullback Broderick Cole is a focal point of the Colonel running game. He has rushed for 504 yards and eight touchdowns this season. With 105 carries this season, Cole is touching the ball on average of once every five plays.

Following each game of the Bobcats' current win streak, Texas State has had a player named a Southland Conference Player of the Week.

Against Southeastern Louisiana last week, Karrington Bush rushed for 179 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. For the year, Bush has carried the ball 101 times for 866 yards and three touchdowns. The freshman from Whitewright is now averaging 96.2 yards per game and ranks third in the Southland Conference in rushing.

While Texas State's running game is being led by a freshman, the Bobcats' leading tackler is also a rookie.

True freshman linebacker Marcus Clark has registered 56 tackles including four stops for los yards and 1.5 quarterback sacks. He is also the co-leader in interceptions with three picks this season.

On special teams, Texas State punter Chris MacDonald leads the nation with a 46.10 average.

All-District Honors
Texas State defensive end Nick Clark has been named to the ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VI squad.

Clark graduated magna cum laude in August, maintaining a 3.77 grade point average as an undergraduate. Now, he is taking a full graduate class load in physics.

On the playing field, he has registered 41 total tackles this fall which ranks third on the team. He has 7.0 tackles for lost yards, including 2.5 quarterback sacks, has forced and recovered a fumble and has been credited with a pair of quarterback hurries.

Clark has started all45 games of his career. He has registered 162 tackles including 25 for lost yards. The Fort Worth native has also been credited with nine career quarterback sacks.