It took just two plays for Texas State to make its presence felt in the 2025 season opener.
On the second play from scrimmage, running back Lincoln Pare broke free for a 35-yard run, setting the tone for the Bobcats’ 52-27 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Quarterback Brad Jackson followed up with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Beau Sparks, putting Texas State on the board early in what would become a dominate offensive showing.
Speed kills. pic.twitter.com/J1iwccFLqm
— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) August 31, 2025
This win marks head coach G.J. Kinne’s third straight season-opening victory at Texas State–and his fourth in a row overall, including his only season at Incarnate Word in 2022.
Sparks emerged as Jackson’s favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 82 yards and four touchdowns. His four touchdowns catches tied a Texas State single-game record, matching Cameron Luke’s performance against Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 20, 2007.
Another one ✔️@Beausparks5 pic.twitter.com/HICJHNpoFS
— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) August 31, 2025
Texas State rushed for 392 yards–just the program’s third 300-yard rushing performance since 2019 and its third best since joining the FBS in 2012.
Pare led the way with 167 yards on the ground and a touchdown, falling just 54 yards shy of his career high of 221 yards, set in the 2022 season finale against Louisiana. The redshirt senior from Germantown, Tennessee added his touchdown with under four minutes left in the first half, extending Texas State’s led to 24-10.
Redshirt junior Jaylen Jenkins contributed late with a 58-yard touchdown run–his first score with the Bobcats. It was a career-long rush for the Dallas native, who previously notched a 41-yard run while at Washington State in 2022. Jenkins had just 17 yards on three carries in all of 2024.
Greg Burrell also added a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, helping the Bobcats extend their lead to 45-17
Do your dance @Gregburrell23 pic.twitter.com/3yU0a7C8iY
— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) August 31, 2025
The Texas State defense held Eastern Michigan to 6-of-15 on third-down conversions and forced three three-and-outs after the first quarter. Senior linebacker Treylin Payne led the Bobcats with nine tackles, while Jaden Rios and Terrance Cooks Jr. each recorded a sack on Eagles quarterback Noah Kim.
Although the Eagles (0-1) cut the deficit to 24-17 just before halftime, the Bobcats shut the door in the second half, outscoring EMU 28-10 the rest of the way.
Texas State travels to San Antonio next Saturday to face UTSA. The Bobcats will look to secure just their second win in the all-time series after snapping a five-game losing streak to the Roadrunners last season in San Marcos.
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