Texas State notebook: Fifty-six games later, Nico Ezidore is ready to say goodbye
SAN MARCOS — Nico Ezidore will play in his 56th and final game for Texas State as one of 19 seniors who will be honored during Saturday's season finale against Louisiana.
Ezidore, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive lineman from Garland, is one of seven Bobcats who have been in the Texas State program for the last five years, along with wide receiver Javen Banks, cornerback Jarron Morris, tight end Jackson Lanam, linebacker Jake Lynch, offensive linemen Kylar Cooks and offensive lineman Jaydan Smith. And cornerback Kordell Rodgers, linebacker London Harris, defensive lineman Gjemar Daniels and receiver Chandler Speights have been in San Marcos for the the last six seasons.
“Since I’ve been here, I’ve changed myself personally into thinking of more positive things than what it was in the past,” Ezidore said. “I was in a dark place sometimes when I was here, early in the years when I was here. … Just thinking more positively about anything in life. Even when your situation isn’t what you want it to be, you can make the most out of anything.”
More: Texas State eager to end its disappointing season with another win at home
Ezidore, who will make his 40th career start, has amassed 192 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 8½ sacks. He has three sacks and 34 tackles with 8½ tackles for a loss this season while playing with statistically the best defense he’s been on.
This season, Texas State has produced all-time bests as an FBS program in five statistical categories: total defense (354.3 ypg), rushing defense (111.7 ypg), scoring defense (25 ppg), tackles for loss (71 total) and yards allowed per play (5.2). Texas State also has produced 26 sacks, second-most behind the 28 sacks from 2014, and is tied for second-most turnovers with 19 (the Bobcats had 26 in 2012 and 19 in 2014).
“What went right this year is everyone was locked in and wanting to make plays,” Ezidore said. “Everybody on our team has aspirations of getting to the ball. Just coming together and playing together, and we’ve been playing pretty good. I’m pretty happy how we’ve changed this program. We changed the standard, for sure. I’m happy I was able to contribute with everybody to make this standard change over these past years that I’ve been here.”
More: Canadian Kyle Hergel has become a real rock on Texas State's offensive line
Ezidore is 0-4 in the four games he's played against Louisiana but will have one last chance to beat the Ragin' Cajuns on Saturday. And he plans to make the most of it. Louisiana, at 5-6, is one win away from bowl eligibility.
“I want to go out with a bang my senior night,” Ezidore said. “I’m trying to come out with a win and also not have (Louisiana) go to a bowl. That’s what I’m looking forward to at this point. … It's always good to spoil someone’s situation, so I’m looking forward to it and I’m coming with all I can bring to the field this Saturday.”
Basketball: The men’s and women’s teams both split their last two games, with the men (3-2) fresh off a win and the women (3-1) coming off their first loss.
The men lost on the road to UTSA 61-56 last Thursday before bouncing back with a 59-55 win over Cal this Monday. The women won their third straight game last Tuesday with a 101-32 win over Arlington Baptist before falling on the road to UTEP 72-68 last Saturday.
The men’s team will go from California to Hawaii to participate in the Patty Mills North Shore Classic, starting with a game against Southern Utah on Friday. The women’s team played at Texas A&M on Wednesday.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas State's Ezidore, 56 games later, set to call it a college career
