Tylan Hines ran for 250 yards as Tarleton State survived two tense red-zone stands to beat Bowling Green 20-13 for another FBS road upset.

Tylan Hines didn’t need to reach the end zone to take over Saturday’s game.

The Tarleton State running back ripped through Bowling Green for 250 rushing yards, powering the fifth-ranked Texans to a 20-13 road victory over the Falcons. His explosive afternoon included runs of 72 and 83 yards as Tarleton State improved to 2-0 and earned its second consecutive win over an FBS opponent.

The Texans appeared to have the game under control after building a 17-0 advantage in the first half. Their biggest statement came on a six-play, 99-yard touchdown drive that began with Hines breaking loose for 72 yards. Kaden Anderson completed the march by connecting with Marquis Willis for a 7-yard touchdown.

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Bowling Green finally responded when Austyn Dendy scored on a 3-yard run, trimming the deficit to 17-7 before halftime. The Falcons continued chipping away after the break, but Tarleton State’s defense repeatedly tightened when the field got short.

That resilience became especially important during a chaotic fourth quarter.

With Bowling Green threatening to tie the game or move ahead, Roddrick Roberts and Jadan Aubert stopped Dendy on fourth-and-1 at the Tarleton State 8-yard line. Hines immediately flipped the field with an 83-yard sprint, putting the Texans in position to put the game away.

Instead, Hines lost a fumble near the goal line with 1:35 remaining, giving the Falcons one final opportunity.

Bowling Green quarterback Jay Kastantin moved the offense back down the field, but the comeback ran out of time. The Falcons completed their final play at the Tarleton State 8 as the Texans escaped with the seven-point win.

Anderson finished 16-of-24 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Kastantin completed 24 of 30 attempts for 283 yards, while Jeremiah Scoby led Bowling Green’s receivers with 10 catches for 103 yards.

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The result continues Tarleton State’s emergence as an FCS contender capable of troubling larger programs. The Texans reached the 2025 FCS quarterfinals and previously defeated Army 30-27 in double overtime.

Bowling Green fell to 0-1 in coach Eddie George’s second season. The Falcons entered the opener with 55 new players, and their rebuilt roster now faces a difficult rebound assignment at Nebraska.

Tarleton State travels to McNeese next Saturday.