HBU Huskies fall to Texas State Bobcats in hard fought contest

HBU true freshman Bailey Zappe was 21-of-34 for 199 yards against Texas State.
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (September 2, 2017) The HBU Huskies jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead in the first quarter, but the Texas State responded with 20 unnswered points as the Huskies dropped a 20-11 decision to the Bobcats at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas on Saturday, September 2, 2017. The 15,560 fans in attendance saw HBU dominate offensively much of the first half, but a stubborn Texas State defense shut down the Huskies during the second half.

The Huskies wasted no time getting on the scoreboard at the start of the game. After stopping the Texas State initial drive, HBU took possession of the ball and drove 71 yards in seven plays for their first score of the 2017 season. Running back Terrance Peters carried the final one yard to give the Huskies six points. The 5-9, 190-pound senior rushed for 574 yards and four touchdowns his junior year. They added three more points to their total when Alec Chadwick booted a 33-yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The field goal capped an 11-play, 70-yard drive that lasted 3:26.

The Bobcats finally scored at the 4:25 mark in the second quarter with a James Sherman 25-yard field goal. With 43 second remaining in the first half, Damian Williams scored on a four-yard quarterback keeper for six points.  Sherman booted his first extra point of the season to give Texas State a 10-9 lead at halftime.

You can view a slideshow of the game by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography by clicking here. 

In the second half, Texas State found the end zone with 2:06 left in the third quarter.  Anthony Smith carried the ball 48 yards for six points. Sherman added his obligatory extra point to give Texas State a 17-9 lead. They added another field goal by Sherman, this time a 26-yarder with 13:05 remaining in the game. HBU added two points at the 9:03 mark in the fourth quarter when Andre Walker recovered the ball in the end zone off a bad Bobcat snap for the safety.

HBU's Terrance Peters carried the ball 12 times
for 51 yards and one touchdown .
Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HBU true freshman quarterback Bailey Zappe completed 21-of-34 passes for 199 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. Peters rushed 12 times for 53 yards and the Huskies’ lone touchdown, but did not play in the second half after leaving the game with an injury. Huskies head coach Vic Shealy was quoted after the game.

“I thought Bailey did a lot of good things for the first 25 minutes of the game. When we lost Terrance Peters to an injury, it put a lot more on his plate and Texas State was able to bring some pressure. I was impressed by how he held his composure, he threw some really good balls and I’m confident we have the right guy back there.”

Senior linebacker Cody Moncure led the Huskies with 11 tackles, sophomore defensive end Andre Walker made nine, including a safety, and senior linebacker Garrett Dolan added seven stops. Junior defensive end Johnavhon Graaham recovered a fumble forced by senior safety Taylor Thompson and sophomore safety Nicholas Smith made an interception.

The Huskies will have a short week to prepare for their next matchup; a Thursday, September 3 game against cross-town opponent Texas Southern. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT at BBVA Compass Stadium. Last year, HBU downed TSU 24-20 at Husky Stadium.