Texas State Football aims for first 3-0 start in Sun Belt – The University Star

Texas State football is hoping for its first 3-0 Sun Belt start in program history against Old Dominion University.

The Bobcats enter Week 7 in the Sun Belt 2-0 for the first time since joining the conference in 2013. Texas State struggled early in 2024, losing two straight games to Arizona State and Sam Houston State before the Sun Belt opener.

The two-game loss was answered with a blowout win at Veterans Memorial Stadium, defeating the Troy Trojans 38-17 to open conference play, and a 41-9 win over the Arkansas State Red Wolves last Saturday in San Marcos. With overwhelming victories over its Sun Belt West opponents, Texas State now has its sights set on the conference’s East Division.

The Old Dominion Monarchs are 1-1 in conference play. They celebrated their first win in the Sun Belt last week on the road against the Georgia State Panthers with a score of 21:14.

The Monarchs welcome the Bobcats for their homecoming weekend after a month of three straight road games.

Texas State head coach GJ Kinne spoke about the Monarch’s physical and unique team.

“Old Dominion is a quality opponent with an outstanding coaching staff,” Kinne said. “They have a lot of momentum at the moment. Their defensive playing style is unique; They will challenge you from a celestial and physical perspective.”

Old Dominion head coach Ricky Rahne talked about Texas State’s talent and quarterback play.

“Texas State has great receivers and running backs and we all know Jordan McCloud,” Rahne said. “We all know what McCloud did. He will go down as one of the elite players in Sun Belt history.”

Texas State redshirt senior quarterback Jordan McCloud currently ranks fifth among active FBS quarterbacks with 77 touchdown passes. The Florida native finished his fifth game of 2024 with three or more passing touchdowns, adding up to 325 passing yards and four touchdowns in the win over Arkansas State. This performance was enough to earn him the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

McCloud and the offense face an Old Dominion secondary led by Monarchs junior safety Jahorn Manning. The New Orleans product currently ranks fourth in the Sun Belt with 50 total tackles and third in interceptions with three.

Kickoff between Texas State and Old Dominion is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19 at SB Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia. The game will be streamed on ESPNU.