LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week Eight Superlatives

1. ACU (1) - Handled young Cardinals with ease.
2. TAMK (3) - Shut down #1 offense over last 38 minutes of game.
3. MSU (4) - Just quietly take care of business.
4. WTAM (2) - Could not hold on after quick start at Javelina Stadium.
5. NSU (6) - Could win the LSC North for first time since 2001 (not counting 5 way tie in 2007).
6. ASU (5) - Four drives end inside MSU 20 with 0 points.
7. SOSU (12) - Could have given up trailing 35-10 in second half.
8. UIW (8) - Not ready for ACU yet.
9. ENMU (7) - Greyhounds winless on road.
10. UCO (9) - Offense did its part.
11. TSU (12) - Second come from behind win in three weeks.
12. ECU (13) - Defense bent, but did not break.
13. TAMC (10) - At least the schedule gets a little easier the rest of the way.
14. SWO (14) - Playing their best ball over the past three weeks.

Best Overall Team Performance - Texas A&M-Kingsville

The Javelinas once again found themselves trailing a top 10 team, this time West Texas A&M had sprinted out to a 24-6 midway through the second quarter.  From that point on, it was all TAMK.  The Javelinas outscored WT, 22-0 over the final 38 minutes of the game, outgained them 384-81, and limited Taylor Harris to just 7-17 passing for 51 yards over that period (he started the game 10-14 for 185 yards and 3 TDs).  The offense gained a season high 503 yards, picked up 30 first downs and controlled the clock for almost 40 minutes.  

Best Team Offensive Performance - Southeastern Oklahoma

The Savage Storm piled up 602 yards against Central Oklahoma, overcoming a 25 point second half deficit and taking a 56-55 overtime victory on the road.  Logan Turner came off the bench and threw for 298 yards and 5 TDs to lead the comeback.  Baylen Laury returned after missing last week's game, rushing for 198 yards and 2 TDs, and picking up another 72 yards on 3 receptions.  Trailing 35-10 in the third quarter, Southeastern Oklahoma scored on five straight second half possessions to take a 42-35 lead.  But just when it seemed they were unstoppable, they sputtered, turning the ball over twice, and going 3 and out over the next three series.  With one last chance, they marched 62 yards downfield with under a minute to play, tying the game on a 13 TD pass from Turner to Chad Laury as time expired.  In overtime, the Storm scored in just two plays to take the improbable win.

Best Team Defensive Performance - Abilene Christian

Abilene Christian put to rest any thoughts of letting up against the Cardinals, holding them to 232 yards, and scoring a defensive TD on a 30 yard fumble recoverty.  In building up a 44-7 lead, the Wildcats held Incarnate Word to just 103 yards and four offensive first downs.  

Best Offensive Performance - Baylen Laury, Southeastern Oklahoma and Josh Birmingham, Central Oklahoma

In a game that saw 111 points scored, 1,062 yards gained, with 9 combined TD passes, Josh Birmingham and Baylen Laury shone the brightest.  Birmingham, the LSC's leading rusher, padded his total with 205 yards and 3 TDs rushing on 21 carries, and picked up 30 yards and another TD receiving.  Laury had "only" 198 yards and 2 TDs rushing, along with 72 receiving yards, but got the last laugh with a 20 yard score in overtime to tie the score (soon unbroken with a successful PAT).

Best Defensive Performance - Norris Wrenn, East Central

Against the pass-happy ENMU offense, Wrenn had a busy day.  He led the Tigers with 11 tackles, forced a fumble and picked off a Wesley Wood pass to help ECU limit the Greyhounds to just 19 points, despite gaining 468 yards of offense.

Best Special Teams Performance - Christian Brom, Texas A&M-Kingsville

Brom booted three field goals (41, 21, and 20 yards) on consecutive Javelina possessions, allowing TAMK to chip away at an 11 point halftime deficit and putting them in position to take the lead on Sherman Batiste's 13 yard TD reception with 3:24 to play in the ball game.