'Just one stop': Texas State's 36-point rally falls just short against No. 20 Boise State

Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson carries the ball in a loss to San Diego State. (Texas State Athletics) Texas State football looked utterly out of its depth in the opening quarters of Saturday night's late game at No. 20 Boise State. Trailing 28-3, Bobcats fans on social media were ready to go to bed early or switch the channel. A blowout loss seemed inevitable.What followed will go down as one of the most incredible comebacks in program history. But approximately an hour after the clock hit midnight in San Marcos, Texas State left Albertsons Stadium in Idaho lamenting what could've been after falling 46-45 as a season-defining win slipped through its grasp."I thought we had a lot of momentum there," Texas State head coach GJ Kinne said. "Wish we could have put it away." Texas State head coach G.j. Kinne walks the field during the game against Texas at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 5, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) An all-time rally comes up shortUP NEXTTEXAS STATE VS. OREGON STATEWhen/where: 9:30 p.m. Saturday in Corvallis, Ore.TV/radio: The CW.The Bobcats (4-4, 2-2 Pac-12) shot themselves in the foot repeatedly in the first half. They committed seven penalties, failed to recover a muffed punt and executed poorly. Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen carved up the Bobcats' defense to the tune of 202 yards on 18-of-21 passing and Texas State entered the third quarter down 28-3.Texas State has never beaten a top 25 team. Although the Bobcats transformed into a respectable mid-major this decade, they've never competed for a conference championship. MORE:Despite late rally, Bobcats fall in after dark classicMORE: Greatest sporting event ever? Fans react to Texas State comeback attempt at Boise StateBoise State (7-1, 4-0 in Pac-12 play) won seven Mountain West titles in 15 years and is a former College Football Playoff contender whose only 2026 loss came at the hands of Oregon. Texas State hasn't beaten a team of this caliber, let alone competed. James Madison handily defeated Texas State 52-20 in 2025, eventually earning a CFP berth. Even the 2023 win over Baylor came against a program that finished 3-9 and second-to-last in the Big 12. That's what made the second half so surprising. Texas State silenced a raucous crowd with 22 straight third-quarter points. It held the Broncos to 18 yards and forced a fumble. Bobcats quarterback Brad Jackson came alive, completing nine of his 14 attempts for 123 yards, passing for two touchdowns and running for another."We felt like they were going to be conservative," Kinne said. "Run the ball, get a couple stops, take it one play at a time on offense."A bizarre, gut-wrenching fourth quarterWhen Texas State defensive back Jayden Bradley snagged a pick-six with just under nine minutes left, the crowd on the CW broadcast fell dead silent. The Bobcats had scored 36 straight points, were leading 39-28 and were on the verge of ruining the Broncos' chances for a CFP spot. All hell proceeded to break loose. Boise State quarterback Max Cutforth came in for an injured and, at that point, ineffective Madsen. He immediately gave the Broncos a jolt, hitting Rasean Jones for a touchdown and cutting the Bobcats' lead to 39-34.Texas State got the ball back and quickly faced third-and-13. Kinne, typically seen as a conservative coach, said Texas State had a check against Boise State's Cover 0 blitz that involved a wide receiver pass. Jackson threw a lateral to wide receiver Tucker Cusano, who had a wide-open target downfield. The ball, perhaps slick from the rain, slipped out of Cusano's hand and was intercepted."Definitely something we've worked on, especially versus these guys," Kinne said. "You got to be aggressive on the road versus a top 20 team." Texas State receiver Tucker Cusano (13) runs the ball during the game against UIW at UFCU Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 26, 2026 in San Marcos, Texas. (Aaron E. Martinez) Facing fourth-and-10, Cutforth threw a perfectly layered ball to Jones at the back of the end zone to reclaim the lead, 49-39. Jackson responded by throwing a dart to wide receiver Zechariah Sample, who took it 72 yards for the score. He totaled 327 passing yards, five touchdowns and completed 23 of 38 passes, a career performance.The Broncos refused to say die, though. Cutforth twisted the dagger into Texas State's heart with his third touchdown pass - the final of the night. The backup went 8 of 13 for 131 yards."Just one stop with that guy in there would have done it," Kinne said.Although fans and coaches hate to talk about moral losses, the Bobcats earned something from one of the season's best games. Texas State and Kinne weathered the storm. For all the pain the program feels, a conference championship berth is still in reach; the Bobcats are tied for fourth in the Pac-12 standings.A few things have to swing their way for that to happen. But after what happened Saturday night, it'd be foolish to count out Texas State."We got to build off that, and get back to work. That's all we can do," Kinne said.Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at 'Just one stop': Texas State's 36-point rally falls just short against No. 20 Boise State.