SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Texas State Bobcats are bowl-eligible for the first time in nearly 10 years.
The Bobcats scored eligibility with their 45-24 win over Georgia Southern on Saturday.
To celebrate the big milestone, Texas State President Kelly Damphousse jumped into the San Marcos River at Sewell Park, joined by Head Coach GJ Kinne, Athletic Director Don Corryell, players, staffers and more. Jumping into the river is a tradition for Texas State students after graduation.
It was a special night for Kinne's inaugural year over the football program.
"As a team, we want to get this done for everyone involved at home, and that's what we challenge our guys to do. And they went out and got it done," Kinne said. "So just really proud of them and everything, you know, [they've] been through, coaching change and, you know, roster turnover and spring ball, fall camp. You know, just to be at this point to have six wins is, obviously, one of the goals we had and, man, just really happy for those guys and a bunch of really excited kids and coaches."
Texas State reports that the win was the Bobcats' largest margin of victory ever in a Sun Belt Conference game at home. It also snapped a 5-game losing streak against Georgia Southern. The last time the Bobcats beat the Eagles was in the first round of the 2005 Division I-AA Playoffs.
KVUE viewer Jacob Richman shared the following video of players, staffers and fans celebrating the win in the river:
The Bobcats next game is Nov. 11 against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in Conway, South Carolina.