Texas State football grades: Defense surged as offense lulls in win over Utah State

Texas State football overcame a slow start Saturday to defeat Utah State 20-17. The Bobcats are over .500 for the first time this season as they prepare for a two-game road stretch.

Texas State's (4-3, 2-1 Pac-12) revamped defense has begun to come together, and its special teams proved key in Saturday's win. Consistency could take the program to the next level, and upcoming opponent Boise State (6-1, 3-0) is one of the nation's most stable Group of Six teams.

But before the Bobcats travel to play the Broncos, here are the grades from Texas State's performance vs. Utah State:

This game goes down as one of the worst offensive days in head coach GJ Kinne's tenure with Texas State. The Aggies had an excellent game plan, limiting the Bobcats' run game to 2.7 yards per carry and forcing them to win through the air. Texas State finished with 250 total yards, its lowest of the season

Utah State pressured Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson, and he struggled to punish the blitz. Jackson made the right read on a few instances, missing his target on potentially explosive plays. He threw for 167 yards on 27-of-37 passing. He was sacked four times.

When Texas State struggles to run the ball, the offense tends to stagnate; the third quarter at San Diego State, when they averaged 2.5 yards per carry, is another example.

Texas State defensive coordinator Will Windham said in the offseason it would take time for things to gel. The unit hasn't been perfect, but the defense has improved each week. It held Utah State to 17 points while ending nearly a half-dozen drives before they covered more than 10 yards.

Defensive back Trez Moore had a career night, disrupting plays, breaking up a pass and nearly nabbing an interception. Linebacker Treylin Payne led the team in tackles (nine) and is returning to form after joining the roster late in the summer. Defensive lineman Chancellor Owens is the bedrock against the run game, holding Utah State to 2.3 yards per carry.

Texas State recorded one sack. The lack of pressure from the edge rushers remains somewhat of an issue.

Special teams had some highs and lows. On one hand, Texas State would've lost without Jacob Bonilla's two field goals and running back Jaylen Jenkins' 100-yard kick return touchdown. Bonilla, in particular, showed great mental fortitude after missing a 49-yard attempt.

The punting still hasn't been up to snuff. Tom Flintoff averaged 36 yards on five attempts. He gave Utah State two short fields in the first quarter on 34- and 35-yard punts. Flintoff improved in the following quarters, recording two punts over 40 yards and forcing one drive to start at the 12.

Texas State has struggled in the third quarter this season, and Kinne acknowledges this. Maybe it was receiving the kickoff out of halftime or some other coaching strategy, but the Bobcats opened the third against the Aggies with a 12-play, 79-yard touchdown drive.

Kinne's preached resilience in recent weeks, and Texas State showed it against Utah State. It hadn't won a game in which it trailed at halftime since 2024 against South Alabama. Down 9-7, the Bobcats regrouped and proved they didn't need their explosive offense to beat the Aggies, who were just 4-for-14 on third down.