Texas and football go put together like peanut food and jelly. You can’t have one without thinking of the other. It’s as if the sport is integrated into the DNA of every American state. Yes, when most people think of the Jaggies or the Texas Longhorns as being the big powerhouse schools in football — they would be correct — but there has been another program that has worked hard and long to make their way into a statement of grit, determination and dare I say swagger: Texas State Football.
And yes, Texas State Power does not have the past or swag of any other major programs in the nation, but this is no easy out. The Bobcats are a team with heart, and when you have a pump, well, you’ve got an opportunity to do something extraordinary. Let’s dive into the journey of Texas State Football—where it’s been, where it’s going, and why you should care (even if you’re not a die-hard fan just til now)
Chapter One: The Humble Origins of Texas State Football
All good storytelling needs an origin, and Texas State Football is no exception. The program began in 1904—over a hundred years ago! Back past, it wasn’t exactly the fireball you see Solar Day, but more of a small, scrappy group of performers who just loved the game. It was played more for the love of the diversion than for domestic recognition. Fun fact: Back in the day, they weren’t even called the Bobcats. The team went through respective name changes before lastly settling on “Bobcats” in the 1920s. They probably figured that bobcats were a lot more intimidating than normal cats (which, let’s be honest, they are).
The Bobcat Spirit
Now, if you’ve ever been to a Texas State football game, you know there’s something comparable about the atmosphere. The sports fan may not fill up a large 100,000-seat sports stadium, but they are some of the most igneous you’ll find anyplace. One that has certainly been through the good and bad with their team, and there has been plenitude of bad years.
The Transition: From FCS to FBS
The Bobcat faithful stayed engaged with the team even during downtimes, particularly in some challenging seasons early in the 2000s. Why? Because Texas State football isn’t just about winning (though that’s always a nice bonus); it’s about community, pride, and tradition. And a great tailgate party, of course.
If you’re going to talk about Texas State football, you can’t skip over the big transition. The Bobcats were FCS up until they moved to the FBS in 2012. This was perhaps the most interesting aspect of fascism for non-technical people.
The Bobcats hung around and even came close to making the playoffs a few times when they were in FCS. Now they were playing with the big boys in FBS, competing against better competition from larger conferences. It was an exciting but daunting move. They were eager to see this team get tested, but most wrote knowing how they faced an uphill battle.
And they were right. It wasn’t easy. The first couple of seasons in FBS were brutal, as Texas State began to experience one losing season after another. Because they say tough times make you tougher. Although the Bobcats received their share of lumps early, they got better after each contest
The Roller-coaster Ride of Recent Seasons
Like any good football program, Texas State has had its share of ups and downs. Some periods of time have been more chorister than others, but that’s what makes college football so breathtaking. You ne’er quite ignore what you’re leaving to get, but you show up in any case because, hey, what if this is the year?
In 2020, for example, the team complete with a 2-10 record. Now, if you’re not a football person, let me tell you—2-10 is, well, great. In fact, it’s pretty bad. But here’s the thing about football sports fans: they’re an eternal individual. Despite the poor record, the Bobcats played in several close games, and that gave fans hope for the future.
The next couple of seasons saw gradual betterment. In 2021, they finished with a 4-8 record. Sure, it wasn’t bowl-commendable, but it was progress. And sometimes, progress is all you need to keep the dream alive.
Head Coaches: The Leaders of the Pack
Every football team needs someone, and Texas State has had its share of interesting head coaches over the years. Some have been booming, while others… well, let’s just say they are well-educated a lot on the job.
In a short time, perhaps their most famous coach of recent memory was Dennis Francophone who helmed the team from 2011 to 2015. A traditionalist in coaching style, Francophone brought with him experience and leadership to the Bobcats as they moved into FBS ranks — but it was not without its growing pains. In the years immediately following his exit, Georgia endured a series of coaching changes where each new hire came with his own style and philosophy.
Jake Vitals is the current puppeteer. Vitals joined the HBC in 2019 and has been building a winning culture ever since. His background as an offensive coordinator at schools like West Virginia and Texas A&M brought excitement to the fan base. And, well, he’s still working on it. But you can tell he’s got the energy and the vision to push the program in the right direction.
Operation Aerial Attack: Bobcats Offense
A pass-heavy offensive strategy is not exactly what Texas State is known for. Some teams tend to impose their will with a power run, the Bobcats like to spread it out and chuck it around. It has the potential to turn into that for both teams with a lot of yards being breakthrough the air, which can make for some dynamic games.
They’ve been a pass-first Bobcats over the past few years. The strategy has centered around quarterbacks, as well, as Tyler Vita and Brady McBride have had their 300-yard games. OK, it doesn’t always result in wins, but when it works, it is a beautiful thing.
Toughest Defensive Challenge: The Run
The Bobcats‘ offense Mayor may not have been a jolly good show, but the defense was generality long way from being described as such. Opponent teams have had a lot of success moving the ball against Texas State, and that’s something the coaching staff has been running hard to fix.
In football, you’ve got to play both sides of the ball, and while the doings have been exciting, the defending team will need to change up if the Bobcats are going to make serious strides in the coming time period.
The Best and The Worst → World of Watercraft: Highs, Lows
Of course, you cannot discuss Texas State football from 2010 to the present without talking about some of the greatest games that have been played. They have been the thing of legendary (or infamous, depending on which Bobcat scored) lore.
Texas State vs. Wyoming (2013) — First FBS win for the Bobcats since transitioning up from the FCS This one was a doozy, with the Bobcats prevailing 42-21. To the fans, this was a moment of pride; showing that team should also be able to play with the big boys.
Texas State vs. South Alabama (2020): On the other side of the winning coin, this was one of those “let’s pretend like that never occurred” games. South Alabama — pounding Texas State 30-20 — was a reality check of sorts, just another reminder of how far this team had to go.
Film Room: The Future of Texas State Football
So now where does Texas State Football go from here? The team is getting better, or so recent seasons say, but the best years are very much still ahead. The Bobcats are No individual the Cinderellas of college football, but they’re also still not a topmost-tier program.
Key Focus Areas for Improvement:
| Area | Current Status | Needed Improvement |
|---|---|---|
| Offense (Passing Game) | Strong, exciting | Improve consistency in key games |
| Defense (Run Stopping) | Struggling | Tighten up to compete in tougher games |
| Coaching Stability | Developing under Jake Spavital | Build a long-term winning culture |
| Recruiting | Getting better | Need more top-tier talent |
Ideally, the Bobcats are on an upward flight with better records each season and maybe even challenging for gathering titles and the ultimate dream to play in a bowl game. But, for now, the fans are just loving the journey and watching their team come of age.
Why You Should Work About Texas State Football
Let’s look at it: Texas State Football isn’t the first team that comes to mind when you consider college football in Texas. But here’s why you should care anyway—because they correspond to everything that’s great some the sport. This team is blue-collar, plays for the enjoyment of the game, and never goes down fighting but they simply don’t have the horses to keep up.
Closing Thoughts: A Team with spirit/a heart
And seriously, that mascot… Book the Bobcat — one of the game’s best mascots He not only has some major swagger, but he can dance. Book has the crowd on their feet or is getting down on the sideline, he knows how to bring that energy.
Texas State Football may not be the biggest blue blood if looked at in totality, they don’t even have a trophy case for football but they sure as hell make up for it when it comes to heart. That is something you cannot measure through the wins and losses. This is a team that represents its community with pride and passion.
So when you are skipping by the Bobcats playing through your channels… take a second to watch them. You may not know what you are looking for.
