Nov. 26, 2005

Recap |  Final Stats

NCAA Post-Game Notes & Quotes
Texas State 50, Georgia Southern 35
November 26, 2005

NCAA First-Round Game Notes
Texas State QB Barrick Nealy rushed for 76 yards on the game's first play from scrimmage. Through the regular season, Nealy led the Bobcats on the ground, averaging 75.8 yards per game (7.2 yards per carry). He rushed for a one-yard TD on the opening drive, his 12th of the season (tied for most rushing TDs on the team).

On the season, the Bobcats have scored on their opening drive in 7-of-12 games. At home, they have scored on six of their eight opening drives.

When Georgia Southern converted a 38-yard touchdown pass (QB Jayson Foster to WR Teddy Craft) on fourth down, it was the 25th time the Eagles have successfully converted on fourth. At that point, they were 25-34 on fourth-down (the most in I-AA). After the conversion in the first quarter, the Eagles went 0-for-2 on fourth-down tries with attempts of two and 21 yards failing in the fourth quarter.

Texas State was down 21-10 at the half. It was the largest halftime deficit faced by the Bobcats this season. They were down by ten, 27-17, at Texas A&M on Sept. 22. The Bobcats were down 14-7 at halftime in their loss to Nicholls State on Oct. 29 and were tied at 7-7 at SFA on Nov. 12.

Georgia Southern FS A.J. Bryant intercepted his fourth pass of the season when he picked off Nealy in the endzone in the third quarter.

Foster set a Southern Conference record for consecutive games with a rushing TD (12) when he ran for a 29-yard score in the third quarter.

Texas State wide reciever Justin Williams caught a career high 106 yards on three catches.

Texas State wide receiver Markee White also had a career night. He caught a career high ten passes (157 yards).

Texas State quarterback Barrick Nealy rushed for over 100 yards for the fifth time this season, his third straight. He finished the day with 126 yards on 12 carries and one rushing touchdown. He also passed for over 300 yards for the second time this year and seventh time in his career. He finished the night going 23-for-32, 400 yards, four TD and one interception.

Texas State wide reciever Dameon Williams caught a career-high three touchdowns. He finished the day with three catches for 68 yards and touchdown catches of 31, 26 and 11 yards.

For the first time this season the Bobcats had two players finish with double-figure tackles. Senior linebacker David Simmons had 12 tackles, including a quarterback sack. Junior linebacker Jeremy Castillo had 11 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

Quotes

Georgia Southern Coach Mike Sewak
"We took the crowd out of it early, but when they started making plays they got back in there"

"Those kids played their hearts out. They put the program ahead of themselves. I couldn't ask for anything more."

"We just couldn't stop them"

"We wish them a lot of luck."

Fullback Jermaine Austin
"That was the biggest/fastest team we've played all year."

Quarterback Jayson Foster
"Their offense fired up their defense. They came down and made the plays and we didn't."

Texas State Coach David Bailiff
On the seniors
"They are tough kids because of what they've been through here."

"All these kids have done since they have been here is do what they are asked"

"We have a refuse to lose attitude."

"They outworked us at the start. We outworked them at the end."

On the second-half comeback
"There were no major adjustments. These guys just put their foot on the gas."

"It is huge for us to beat a team who has won the championship six years."

On Barrick Nealy
"He threw for 400 yards and rushed for over a hundred. That's not a bad day at the office."

Quarterback Barrick Nealy
"We live for each other. We got down early and fought back."

"I don't feel like we've played our best football yet."

Linebacker David Simmons
"We have some great coaches, and we just need to go out there and execute."

Wide Receiver Markee White
"When we get down we all know we will go out there and make a big play."