LSC Roundup 8-30

Blue crush
Javelinas pull off upset win in opener
KINGSVILLE — It was a win. It certainly wasn’t pretty. But it certainly was the biggest victory in Bo Atterberry’s two-plus years as Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football coach.

A&M-Kingsville shocked fourth-ranked Delta (Miss.) State 28-17 Saturday night in front 10,500 people at Javelina Stadium. The Javelinas won their first season opener under Atterberry. They had to overcome five turnovers and 102 penalty yards to do so.

But the Javs’ defense pitched a shutout in the second half, snuffing the high-powered Statesmen to 234 yards, far shy of the 471 they had averaged last season. A&M-Kingsville senior Billy Garza threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns and senior running back Joe Williams scored three TDs, running for 67 yards.

While the Javs coughed up the ball five times, they made the most of their one forced turnover. Jeff Edwards’ interception of Garrett DeWitt stopped the Statesmen at the A&M-Kingsville 11 early in the fourth quarter. The Javs calmly moved down the field, and Garza hooked up with Gregory-Portland-ex Connell Davis on a 47-yard scoring pass. The try for two failed but the Javs had their first lead of the night at 21-17.
Related: A&M-Kingsville slips past No. 3 Delta State
Related: Hogs Knock Off #3 Delta State (with video)

Too tough to handle
In a typical football game that lasts three hours, a few plays here and there wouldn't seem that big a deal as to which team wins and loses. However, that was the case Saturday night, as a handful of plays did in the West Texas A&M Buffs.

Despite a competitive performance, especially in the first half, the 11th-ranked Buffs fell to the top ranked team in the nation, the Grand Valley State Lakers, 37-23, in front of 15,093 fans at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. A couple of long pass plays in the first half, combined with a couple of special teams miscues and trouble in the red zone, ruined any chance of a WT upset.

"Overall, I was pleased with the effort of the kids," said WT head coach Don Carthel, whose team is 0-1 to start the season for the first time in his five seasons.

WT offense holds its own
Though it didn't show in the final score, West Texas A&M's offense did a good job Saturday night in the season- opener at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The No. 11 Buffs (0-1) lost to No. 1 Grand Valley State, 37-23, but the offense produced 452 yards, including 408 passing with a new quarterback working with new tools.

WT led the game through nearly the entire first half, and outproduced the Lakers on offense (GVS had 377 total yards). First-time starting quarterback Taylor Harris looked calm and operated the offense like a veteran. He hooked up the most with sophomore tight end Tyson Williams, who also made his first start and caught eight balls for 92 yards.
Related: Loss won't spoil season

Off and running: Rams take first opener since 2006
Angelo State University won its season opener for the first time since 2006 Saturday with a 21-7 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce at San Angelo Stadium.

Josh Neiswander, making his first start at quarterback since last year’s season opener when he broke his leg, passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rams to their first win over the Lions since 2004.

Mustangs wrangle Cowboys
BeeJay Mathis has been among the national leaders in punt returns each of his two years at Midwestern State.

After Saturday night’s performance against New Mexico Highlands, he will be again this year.
Related: Highlights


UIW sets bar high in debut
The madness at Benson Stadium had subsided for only a few seconds Saturday night when Incarnate Word quarterback Thomas Specia turned to trainer Caesar Martinez and asked, “Does your head hurt?”

On this night and amid this scene, it's unlikely anyone could have answered “no.”

Watching an unlikely 18-point fourth-quarter lead dwindle to three over the waning minutes of the program's first game, the Cardinals held on to stun Mexico's Monterrey Tech 42-39 before a standing-room-only crowd of 6,235 fans.
Related: Walls produces huge night in UIW's victory



Lady Buffs take final two matches
Rambelles spike two more foes
ACU picks up first volleyball win
ACU shocks ranked Central Missouri in women's soccer