TEXAS STATE 65, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 0
Texas State showed no mercy on Arkansas-Pine Bluff, thumping the Golden Lions 65-0 Saturday night at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas.
Sophomore quarterback Tyler Jones threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns to lead Dennis Franchione's Bobcats of the Sun Belt Conference.
The loss dropped UAPB Coach Monte Coleman to 1-6 in season openers as the Golden Lions' head coach.
Texas State opened 2014 in dominating fashion, compiling a school-record 697 total yards while limiting UAPB to 215. It was the most points scored by the Bobcats since they defeated New Mexico State, 66-28, on December 1, 2012.
Jones completed 21 of 25 attempts with no interceptions as the Bobcats opened a 42-0 lead and never looked back. Four of Jones' passes went to Jafus Gaines, who had 2 touchdowns and 119 yards receiving. Robert Lowe ran for 150 yards on 14 carries and 1 touchdown for the Bobcats.
Ben Anderson, the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason offensive player of the year, had 133 yards of total offense for the Golden Lions, 76 through the air on 8 of 19 passing attempts and 57 more on 12 rushes.
Jared Turner led the Golden Lions defense with 11 tackles.
UAPB, which failed to cross midfield in the second half, had its best chance of scoring in the first half but Tyler Strickland missed a 39-yard field goal attempt late in the first quarter with the Golden Lions trailing 7-0.
The Bobcats dominated with 39 first downs to the Golden Lions' 14, even though UAPB won the time of possession battle 32:29-27:31.
UAPB faces Concordia at 6 p.m. Saturday in its home opener at Golden Lion Stadium.
Sports on 08/31/2014