Jackson Throws for 327 Yards as Texas State Falls to Boise State
The Bobcats trailed by 25 points before a third-quarter surge, but a backup quarterback’s final drive secured a 46-45 victory for the Broncos.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson completed 23 of 38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday’s 46-45 loss to No. 20 Boise State. The performance marked the best game of Jackson’s career, yet it was not enough to secure the win for the Bobcats (4-4, 2-2 Pac-12). Boise State (5-1, 3-1 Pac-12) overcame a 28-3 deficit to claim the victory in a high-scoring contest.
The Bobcats entered the game with a history of late-game struggles in 2026. They had previously lost to UTSA and San Diego State despite holding first-half leads and possessing fourth-quarter opportunities. Saturday’s match followed a similar trajectory, with Texas State falling behind early before mounting a comeback. The team scored 33 points in the second half and took the lead in the fourth quarter, only to see the momentum shift back to the visitors.
Boise State’s offense was stifled for the first two quarters. The Bobcats’ defense, coordinated by Will Windham, held the Broncos to 21 yards and zero points in the third quarter. That defensive stand forced a critical fumble, keeping Texas State within striking distance. Linebacker Terrence Cooks recorded seven tackles and one and a half for loss during that period. Defensive back Jayden Bradley added a pick-six with less than nine minutes remaining, which nearly settled the game for the home team.
The final drive proved decisive. Boise State backup quarterback Max Cutforth entered the game and threw three touchdown passes. The Bobcats’ defense, which had pressured starting quarterback Maddux Madsen throughout the game, struggled to adjust to Cutforth. Edge defender Tymere Jackson applied pressure on the ball carrier 12 times and recorded the team’s only sack. The inability to contain the new signal caller on the final possession resulted in the 46-45 margin.
Special teams provided a notable boost for the Bobcats. Punter Tom Flintoff recorded his first 50-yard punt of the season and averaged 44.3 yards per attempt. Kicker Jacob Bonilla converted a 31-yard field goal. Wide receiver Zechariah Sample returned a punt 23 yards, setting up a short field that led to a Texas State touchdown. His performance marked the best outing of the season for the punting unit.
Offensive line play was limited in the early stages. Running back Torrance Burgess Jr. averaged 3.0 yards per carry, as the line faced a strong Boise State front seven. Pro Football Focus data indicated the offensive line allowed five pressures but no sacks, with the lone sack attributed to a missed assignment by Burgess. Jackson’s mobility compensated for the ground game’s limitations, adding 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Head coach GJ Kinne’s team faces another road challenge against Oregon State. The Bobcats will need to address game-management issues that plagued the final minutes. Kinne’s decision to run a play on third-and-3 with seconds remaining before the two-minute timeout drew scrutiny. The staff received credit for halftime adjustments that allowed the team to close the 28-point gap, but the final sequence remains a point of focus for the upcoming matchup.
