SAN MARCOS – Strictly looking at points per game, Texas State football’s 2026 defense is worse than last year. Opponents are scoring 30.8 points per game, up from 29.0 points last season.
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TEXAS STATE VS. FRESNO STATE
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When/where:
3 p.m. Saturday in San Marcos.
TV:
CW.
But a deep dive shows defensive coordinator Will Windham’s unit is not only better, but part of why the Bobcats are in contention for a spot in the Pac-12 championship game. Although Windham told the American-Statesman Tuesday that the defense is gelling, the goal is consistency, not the random flash of excellence.
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Texas State looks like Pac-12 contender after diffusing talented Oregon State offense
“If you’re consistently good, everything will work out,” Windham said. “But if you’re occasionally great, that means you’re occasionally a dumpster fire.”
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Here’s what we’ve seen from the Bobcats defense:
There are a few reasons why Texas State’s points allowed-per-game average doesn’t reflect the product on the field. The first was a 59-7 loss to Texas (last season, Texas State lost 34-15 to its major-conference opponent, Arizona State).
The lack of experience in the secondary is another factor. Texas State safety Ryan Nolan was the only full-time starter who returned in 2026. Starting cornerback Craig Royal Jr. and safety Chase Davis came off the bench last year while fellow cornerback Trez Moore returned after missing the 2025 season due to injury. Defensive back Jayden Bradley’s first career start came against the Longhorns.
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With so many new pieces and a fresh scheme, Windham said the unit needed time to build trust. Practice can only take a team so far.
“The game’s a different thing,” said Windham, who’s in his first year as Texas State’s defensive coordinator. “It takes some time for guys to trust: ‘Is that guy really going to stay in that B gap,’ or, ‘Is that linebacker really going to take that running back.'”
Windham says that on defense, 10 guys can do it right, but one misstep can lead to a touchdown. He emphasizes everyone sticking to their job and allowing the play to come to them.
Over time, his unit went from allowing 30 points or more in its first three games to allowing 10 points, 27 points and 17 points between the end of September and the end of October. Even San Diego State, which scored 31 Oct. 3 against Texas State, only mustered two offensive touchdowns. The bulk of the scoring in that two-point loss came from a kickoff-return touchdown, a pick-six and a safety.
Bradley is a prime example of how the team has grown. The 6-foot-1, 209-pound redshirt freshman has transformed from an athletic freak learning how to play the game into a key cog on the defense. He has intercepted a pass in the last two games, and Pro Football Focus graded him as the best defensive player in Texas State’s win over Oregon State. More importantly, he is learning to communicate on the field.
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“He’s yelling, not in a bad way, but he’s communicating loudly,” Windham said. “They’re starting to play more as a cohesive unit.”
Texas State were on the ropes against Utah State despite the 20-17 win. The Aggies stymied the Bobcats’ attack and likely would’ve won if not for the defense, which allowed 4.1 yards per play and forced a missed 48-yard field goal as time expired.
“On offense, we didn’t do much that game,” Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson said. “They kept us in it the entire time.”
When the defense is clicking, Texas State looks unstoppable. Boise State was held to zero points for the third quarter and part of the fourth. North Texas quarterback Tayven Jackson is third in the country in passing yards and seventh in passing touchdowns; Texas State held UNT to seven points in the second half of a 49-35 win.
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But there are lapses: the first halves against North Texas and Boise State, the failure to stop UTSA on the final drive on two critical fourth downs. Although Kinne said Texas State played its most complete game of the season against Oregon State, Windham wasn’t happy with the defense giving up two late touchdowns in the 42-21 blowout win.
“Don’t let the scoreboard dictate your energy or your effort,” he said.
The Bobcats are learning how to finish late, and Saturday’s matchup against Fresno State will be a good test. The Bulldogs are allowing 20.6 points, tied for the best mark in the Pac-12. If Texas State’s offense struggles again, it’ll need its defense to be at its peak.
Sure, 30.8 points per game doesn’t inspire confidence at first glance. But Windham said when he first got into coaching, someone told him that only one stat matters.
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“It’s win or loss. That’s all everybody ever cares about,” Windham said.
This article originally published at Texas State’s defense is allowing over 30 points per game. Here’s why it doesn’t matter.
