Defensive players for the Texas State Bobcats knew they would need an outstanding effort Saturday against then-11th ranked Stephen F. Austin.
The Lumberjacks' spread offense came into the tilt averaging better than six touchdowns a game, best in the nation, and according to Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil the Bobcats had heard criticism of their defense against such sets.
"We had performed better against running teams than against spread offense. The kids were tired of hearing we weren't playing well against spread offenses after Southeast Louisiana had done so well against us," he said.
Texas State answered those criticisms authoritatively, holding SFA 37 points below its season average and in the process, catapulting itself into the thick of the Southland Conference title chase.
"It's the best effort through all four quarters. We've shown what we can do, just not for four quarters," said linebacker Marcus Clark. Clark finished the day with 16 tackles and recovered a Lumberjack fumble with SFA driving, one of a few key stops Texas State made in the red zone.
"We've been a good red zone D throughout the year, so we were just trying to keep that going," he said.
SFA finished the day with 416 total yards, and while the Lumberjacks moved the ball effectively, there's one place the Bobcats kept them from where it mattered most -- the end zone.
"Bend not break," is how linebacker Joe Bell described the Bobcats' red zone defensive mindset. Bell finished the day with 15 tackles and a sack.
Bending for Texas State case meant forcing Lumberjack turnovers -- three to be exact, including the fumble Bell caused at the Texas State 11-yard line.
"We got breaks, but that's what you've got to do: work hard, and take those breaks," said Texas State defensive coordinator Fred Bleil.
Getting breaks -- or causing them in the red zone has been a hallmark of this Bobcat defense, he added.
"We've not been a good yardage defense, but we've been a good red zone defense," Bleil said. "We may not have the speed in the back end, but once we get down there in those close spaces we can make some plays."
And showing what it was capable of was a motivator for this unit, Clark said.
"Keeping them to seven...that was a statement that we're a defense that can play against anybody."
Bell added that the Lumberjacks' ranking coming in and challenge they posed to the Bobcat defense was just icing on the proverbial cake, as this is a game Texas State marks on its calendar yearly.
"One of our goals that we make every year is to beat SFA and Sam Houston," he said.
The Bobcats are halfway to that goal. Sam Houston is Texas State's finale, Nov. 21 at home, and another important test in the conference race.
Bleil said he believes winning the conference title is essential to earning a postseason berth. The next challenge in that quest comes this weekend against Central Arkansas.
The Bears are not eligible for postseason play until 2010 as a provisional member of the Southland, but have made themselves at home in the conference. UCA is 5-3 on the season, with a win over a Bowl Subdivision opponent (Western Kentucky) and a four-game win streak earlier this season to its credit.
Blue Devil Magic
Central Connecticut State continues to find ways to win games late. One week after defeating Bryant by a point in the final stanza, the Blue Devils rallied for 20 second half points to topple Albany, 31-29. The win keeps CCSU atop the Northeast Conference at 5-0, 7-1 overall.
Sioux Fight
North Dakota blanked a prolific Cal Poly offense through the entire second half to down the visiting Mustangs, 31-17. UND forced three Mustang turnovers in the second half after battling back from a double-digit point deficit to move to 4-4 on the season.
Dukes Break Through
James Madison met some struggles through October, racking up losses to Colonial Athletic Association leaders Villanova and William & Mary. But JMU closed the month strong with a 20-6 defeat of 18th ranked Delaware, its first conference victory of the campaign.
Quarterback Justin Thorpe earned CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors for his 262 yards passing, 42 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the Dukes' win.
An Honor for the Spiders
As Richmond chases down its second straight national championship, attention continues to come the Spiders' way. After defeating Towson 42-14, UR joined Appalachian State (2007) and Northern Iowa (2009) as the only teams in Championship Subdivision history to garner votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Spiders were a vote behind 7-2 Idaho and two behind the Southeastern Conference's Tennessee.
Latest Top 25
| Rank | Team (1st Place Votes) | Record | Points | Prev. |
| 1 | Richmond (28) | 8-0 | 700 | 1 |
| 2 | Montana | 8-0 | 667 | 2 |
| 3 | Southern Ill. | 7-1 | 646 | 3 |
| 4 | Villanova | 7-1 | 614 | 4 |
| 5 | William & Mary | 7-1 | 580 | 5 |
| 6 | Elon | 7-1 | 552 | 6 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 7-1 | 510 | 7 |
| 8 | Appalachian St. | 6-2 | 508 | 8 |
| 9 | South Dakota St. | 7-1 | 475 | 9 |
| 10 | South Carolina St. | 7-1 | 453 | 10 |
| 11 | McNeese St. | 6-2 | 419 | 11 |
| 12 | UNI | 5-3 | 374 | 14 |
| 13 | Eastern Ill. | 7-2 | 323 | 19 |
| 14 | Holy Cross | 7-1 | 317 | 17 |
| 15 | Jacksonville St. | 5-3 | 273 | 20 |
| 16 | Eastern Wash. | 6-3 | 225 | 21 |
| 17 | Liberty | 6-2 | 201 | 24 |
| 18 | Stephen F. Austin | 6-2 | 200 | 15 |
| 19 | Central Ark. | 5-3 | 181 | 12 |
| 20 | Colgate | 8-1 | 161 | 25 |
| 21 | Weber St. | 5-4 | 149 | 13 |
| 22 | Prairie View | 5-1 | 116 | 25 |
| 23 | Florida A&M | 6-2 | 81 | NR |
| 24 | Lafayette | 7-1 | 74 | NR |
| 25 | Delaware | 5-3 | 71 | 18 |
