LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week Nine Superlatives

1. ACU (1) - Another week, another easy win.
2. TAMK (2) - Another second half shutdown, outscoring opponents 45-7 in fourth quarter.
3. WTAM (4) - Big win over Mustangs with some fireworks at the end.
4. MSU (3) - Every week is a playoff game from here on out.
5. NSU (5) - Quietly winning, can clinch LSC North outright with win next week.
6. ASU (6) - No stopping Rams Saturday.
7. ECU (12) - Listen carefully...Tigers playing for share of LSC North lead next week.
8. SOSU (7) - Found a way (or several) to lose.
9. UIW (8) - Were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
10. ENMU (9) - Never in the game with the Wildcats.
11. UCO (10) - Hung with NSU through 3 quarters.
12. TSU (11) - Put a scare into the Javelinas.
13. SWO (14) - Out of the cellar with their win over the Lions.
14. TAMC (13) - In a tailspin, but final three opponents are 7-17, so there is hope still.

Best Overall Team Performance - West Texas A&M

Rebounding from last week's loss in Kingsville, the Buffaloes took a big game from Midwestern State.  The Mustangs would get on the board first with a field goal on the opening drive, but that would be the only lead of the night for Midwestern State.  The Buffalo defense held the MSU offense to 101 yards and 10 points below their season average, and picked off Zack Eskridge four times, returning one for a second quarter TD. Meanwhile the offense was good for 447 yards (112 over MSU's defensive average), with Taylor Harris passing for 410 and 4 TDs.  The Buffs built up leads of 35-3 in the third quarter and 42-15 in the fourth to keep MSU out of striking range.

Best Team Offensive Performance - Angelo State

How dominant was the Rams' offense Saturday?  Of the Rams' 12 possessions, one resulted in a punt, one in a fumble, and the final drive ended along with the game - the other nine possessions resulted in 7 TDs and 2 FGs.  The team amassed 650 yards, with 8 Rams rushing for 179 yards and 10 players combining for 471 receiving  yards.  ASU converted 10-14 third downs, was 7-8 in the red zone and averaged 9.2 yards per play.

Best Team Defensive Performance - East Central

While ECU couldn't stop Baylen Laury (222 yards and 2 TDs rushing, 21 yards receiving), they did shut down the rest of the SOSU offense, allowing just 93 yards for the rest of the team.  Better yet, the Tigers picked off 4 passes, returning 2 for TDs, including the game winning score on a 36 yard return by Dontae Smith with 13:17 remaining in the game.  Two subsequent possession by the Savage Storm resulted in no first downs.

Best Offensive Performance - Mitchell Gale, Abilene Christian

Gale continues his MVP season, throwing for 362 yards and 5 TDs (3 to Edmund Gates) in a 53-14 win over Eastern New Mexico.  The Greyhounds came into the game tied for the LSC lead in interceptions, but Gale did not help them add to their total.  For the season, Gale is completing 68% of his passes, for 2,436 yards, with 27 TDs and 1 Int, good for a league leading 171 QB efficiency rating.

Best Defensive Performance - Jacob Rowe, Tarleton State

Rowe had a very busy game against the Javelinas, with 14 tackles, 3 for losses, had a sack and had a pass breakup.  Right before the half, with the Javelinas driving,  he forced a fumble, which he recovered at the Tarleton 17 yard line, preserving a 10-10 tie.

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

Brom wins the award for the second week in a row, as hit a game winning 41 yard field goal with 21 seconds to play, allowing the Javelinas to escape with a 13-10 win over Tarleton State.  Brom also hit a 32 yard FG and his only PAT, both in the second quarter.