No. 12 Mustangs must slow high scoring Javs - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
Rams hope to take momentum into LSC opener - Charles Bryce, San Angelo Standard Times
UTPB offensive line making presence felt - Joshua Perry, Odessa American
Buffs need to pressure UTPB quarterback - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
West Texas A&M head coach Mike Nesbitt - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
WT Football schedule - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
Week 3 Maroon and White Zone - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
Getting personal with Austin Williams - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
WT Football how to go - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
Week 3 starting lineups - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
Are Javs good enough to continue climb - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
Onyia wants to add to linemen legacy - J. ScottRrussell, Times Record News
WT gets kick out of Hollabaugh's accurate leg - Kale Steed, Amarillo Globe News
Kicker/punter Eyman giving Rams leg up on competition - Charles Bryce, San Angelo Standard-Times
UTPB special teams making a difference for Falcons - Joshua Perry, odessa American
Oklahoma Panhandle State at Western New Mexico - 1:00
While these two teams won't be competing for the LSC title, that doesn't mean this isn't an intriguing game. The Aggies come in on a high note, rallying for two fourth quarter touchdowns to top FCS Arkansas Pine-Bluff last weekend. Shane Truelove threw for 228 yards and 3 TDs to lead the offense. The defense forced three consecutive three and outs in the second half, before holding off a last minute APB drive to seal the win. The Mustangs also took a step forward, albeit smaller and one that did not lead to a win. WNMU was outclassed by their cross-state rival, but did manage a couple of quick, long scoring drives to pull to within 14 points early in the fourth quarter. UTEP transfer Javia Hall may have won the QB battle, throwing for 240 yards and 2 TDs. The defense needs to show some improvement, especially against the run.
Note: The Aggies travel for the third straight week (next week as well), and will have tallied 3,679 miles when they get back home.
Texas A&M Commerce at Eastern New Mexico - 2:00
Is anyone surprised to see the Greyhounds leading the nation in rushing (455 yards per game)? Kamal Cass also leads the nation (190.5 yds per game), but is getting help from Tayshaun Gary and D'Maujeric Tucker. The passing game is still limited, last in the LSC with just 100 yards per game. When they do throw the ball, Aaron Johnson is most likely on the receiving end, with 11 of the 13 receptions and 195 of the 200 receiving yards.
The Lions reeled off 23 straight points to take control of a tight ball game on the road to avenge last year's loss in Commerce. Luis Perez was sharp, completing 17-23 for 322 yards and 2 TDs, with Lance Evans catching 4 for 123 yards and a TD. Richard Cooper added 87 yards rushing and 2 TDs. The defense played well, keeping Delta State to below 400 yards and forcing three turnovers. During the 31 minute stretch where the Lions took control, the Fighting Okra had the ball for 6 possessions, ran 31 plays for 114 yards, with four punts and two interceptions.
Angelo State at Tarleton State - 7:00
It was looking like a second half collapse for the second week in a row, as the Rams gave up 21 straight points and a 20-3 third quarter lead became a 24-20 fourth quarter deficit. But London Dial forced and recovered a fumble at Northern Michigan's 37 yards line, leading to a 10 yard Trey Green run to put the Rams back in the lead. Northern Michigan would miss a game tying 33 yard field goal with 4:26 to go, but got another chance and made good on a 49 yard FG to tie the game as time expired. The teams traded TDs in the first two overtime periods, but in the third OT Fred Lawrence got the pick and the Rams scored a TD on the ensuing possession to get the win. Jake Faber got the majority of the snaps at QB and improved on his opening game. Josh Stevens and Trey Green combined for 155 yards rushing and 3 TDs. The defense shut down the run, but allowed 302 yards through the air. Most importantly, they limited NMU to just 1 of 16 third down conversions.
The Texans are still looking for their first win of the 2016 season. It was pretty much feast or famine for the offense. On their 4 scoring drives, the Texans covered 312 yards on 38 plays, one drive that ended in a missed FG went for 80 yards on 11 plays. Their other 9 possessions they lost 2 yards on 22 plays. YIKES! Zed Woerner looks to have taken the starting QB job, throwing for 257 yards and 3 TDs, with Bubba Tandy and DelMichael High forming a potent receiving duo (12 catches, 171 yards and 2 TDs). Joseph Sadler had a nice game as well, rushing for 101 yards and getting a TD catch. The defense does not appear to be much, if any, better than last year, giving up 550 yards and allowing SBU to convert 11 of 19 third downs.
The Texans are still looking for their first win of the 2016 season. It was pretty much feast or famine for the offense. On their 4 scoring drives, the Texans covered 312 yards on 38 plays, one drive that ended in a missed FG went for 80 yards on 11 plays. Their other 9 possessions they lost 2 yards on 22 plays. YIKES! Zed Woerner looks to have taken the starting QB job, throwing for 257 yards and 3 TDs, with Bubba Tandy and DelMichael High forming a potent receiving duo (12 catches, 171 yards and 2 TDs). Joseph Sadler had a nice game as well, rushing for 101 yards and getting a TD catch. The defense does not appear to be much, if any, better than last year, giving up 550 yards and allowing SBU to convert 11 of 19 third downs.
West Texas A&M at UT Permian Basin - 7:00
WTAM Game Notes UTPB Game Notes
The Buffs defense looked solid against Colorado State - Pueblo, limiting the Thunderwolves to just 321 yards, scoring on a pick six and keeping them out of the endzone until the fourth quarter and the game pretty much out of reach. The offense didn't do much, but it did enough, with a couple of nice drives in the first half and taking advantage of great field position provided by special teams and the defense later in the game. Ethan Brinkley threw for 196 yards and a TD, and Devon Paye had a 100 yard rushing game, but the Buffs totaled just 298 total yards.
UT-Permian Basin won their second game, starting the season 2-0. Granted the wins came against a D3 and an NAIA team, but wins are wins and have to be providing the Falcons with some confidence. Kameron Mathis has been good, leading the LSC with 531 yards passing to go with 5 TDs. He has three WR's with over 100 yards receiving, Terrell Davidson, Jake Anglin and Mitchell Leonard. Brandon Infiesto is second in rushing with 95 yards per game Defensively, LB Chris Hoad is tops in the LSC with 12.5 tackles per game. All of the aforementioned are freshmen, with the exception of Leonard who is a sophomore. Despite the wins, UTPB has been outgained by an average of 393 to 439 yards per game. Its difficult to win games with that ratio.
UT-Permian Basin won their second game, starting the season 2-0. Granted the wins came against a D3 and an NAIA team, but wins are wins and have to be providing the Falcons with some confidence. Kameron Mathis has been good, leading the LSC with 531 yards passing to go with 5 TDs. He has three WR's with over 100 yards receiving, Terrell Davidson, Jake Anglin and Mitchell Leonard. Brandon Infiesto is second in rushing with 95 yards per game Defensively, LB Chris Hoad is tops in the LSC with 12.5 tackles per game. All of the aforementioned are freshmen, with the exception of Leonard who is a sophomore. Despite the wins, UTPB has been outgained by an average of 393 to 439 yards per game. Its difficult to win games with that ratio.
Colorado Mesa vs. Colorado Mines
The Orediggers face their biggest remaining conference foe in Colorado Mesa. and with Colorado State-Pueblo suffering its second loss, this game has big playoff seeding implications. While Mines got national attention with a season opening win over CSUP, the Mavericks have solid wins over Western State and Chadron State. This could be one of those games where the last team with the ball wins the game.
Indianapolis vs. Southwest Baptist
Is this also the year for a new standard bearer in the GLVC? The Greyhounds dropped their first two games to Hillsdale on the road and defending NAIA champion Marian at home. The Bearcats defeated ENMU at home and Tarleton State on the road, with strong offensive showings in both games. Indianapolis is 30-1 in GLVC play over the last 4 years, while SBU has been on the upswing, improving from 1-7 in 2014 to 3-5 last year.
Bonus Question - Which LSC offense will have the most total yards (passing and rushing) this weekend?
Game of the Week
Midwestern State at Texas A&M-Kingsville
The Mustangs had the week off, resting up after a solid 31-19 win over Truman State. While it's too early to say the Mustangs offense is going to be pass-heavy this fall, but they did have almost twice as many passing yards (295) as rushing (150) in the win over Truman State. Concerns about the QB situation appear to have been answered as Quade Coward threw for 295 yards, completing 63% of his passes. Coward spread the ball around, with 11 different Mustangs recording a reception. Straton Jones led the way with 9 catches for 120 yards. The running game did not quite get untracked, picking up 150 yards and 4 TDs, but averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, and no run longer than 9 yards. The defense was strong, giving up just 255 yards (20th overall).
Through two weeks, the Javelinas have the #2 rushing defense in the country (-16.5 yds per game) and #9 overall (184.5). True, Simon Fraser is not a good barometer, but Incarnate Word had much more success in their second game against FCS Northwestern State than they did against the Javelinas. Offensively, the Javelinas passing game has be unstoppable. Myles Carr leads the nation in passing efficiency (258.6 rating), completing 30-36 passes for 476 yards, 7 TDs and 0 interceptions in just 5 quarters of play. The run game has been solid (180 yards per game) as well.
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Charles Bryce's Picks
Journalist for the San Angelo Standard-Times
Oklahoma Panhandle State
Angelo State
West Texas A&M
Texas A&M-Commerce
Midwestern State
Colorado Mines
Southwest Baptist
Bonus Question - Texas A&M-Commerce
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Lee Baker's Picks
KVII-TV Sports Director
OPSU over WNMU - aggies win on the road
Angelo over Tarleton - both teams “d” giving up points..
WTAMU over UTPB - buffs end road falcons early success
A&M Commerce over ENMU - lions win by stopping hounds running game
Midwestern St. over A&M Kingsville
#10 Colorado Mines over Mesa - orediggers win at home
SW Baptist over Indianapolis - SWB goes to 3-0
Bonus Question - Texas A&M-Commerce
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Joe Price's Picks
Joe is the LSC Columnist for D2Football.com
Oklahoma Panhandle State at Western New Mexico - OPSU is coming off a solid win over Pine Bluff. WNMU is struggling on offense. I'll take the OPSU Aggies.
Angelo State at Tarleton State - Tough choice in this game. TSU and ASU have had a difficult start; but, ASU pulled it out in triple OT last week, while TSU lost on a FG in the concluding seconds. I'll take the ASU Rams.
West Texas A&M at UT Permian Basin - UTPB has played 2 good games in their start. West Texas will by far be their biggest challenge to date. UTPB is young; WT should win convincingly.
#7 Texas A&M Commerce at Eastern New Mexico - ENMU has struggled defensively and it continues against a good Lions Offense that brings balance. Commerce takes it.
#12 Midwestern State at #RV Texas A&M-Kingsville - I have been pleasantly surprised by the Javelinas level of play. I truly believe that a lot is riding on the line in this game for the Hogs. MSU is really young and Kingsville brings almost everyone back. This is my upset of the week. Javelinas win in a knock down fight.
also #23 Colorado Mesa vs. #10 Colorado Mines - Colorado Mines has been on a real terror. They should win convincingly.
also #RV Indianapolis vs. #RV Southwest Baptist - SBU has really posted some good early games against the LSC. This should be a good game. I'll take INDY in a close one.
BONUS - which LSC will have most offensive (pass and rush) yards this week? OPSU
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J. Scott Russell
Journalis for the Times Record News
Oklahoma Panhandle over WNMU 35-17
Angelo State over Tarleton State 42-14
West Texas A&M 20, UT-Permian Basin 17
Texas A&M-Commerce 35, ENMU 28
MSU 39, Texas A&M-Kingsville 25
Colorado Mines 45, Colorado Mesa 28
BONUS -- Texas A&M-Commerce
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Adam Ostrow's picks
Adam is the sports director for WKRP in Cincinnati KAUZ in Wichita Falls
OPSU
Angelo State
WTAM
Texas A&M Commerce
Midwestern State
Colorado Mines
Indianapolis
Bonus Question - Angelo State
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LSC Scoop Picks
OPSU at WNMU - Both teams should have their best offensive performances of the season. Aggies showed some grit in pulling out last week's win, but could be growing road weary. Look for another close win for OPSU, 35-31
TAMC at ENMU - The Greyhounds need to keep this close, and keep the Lions offense on the sideline. They won't be able to that consistently, Lions romp 42-27
ASU at TSU - Rams take another step forward offensively, Texans keep it close but falter down the stretch. Angelo 35-21
WTAM at UTPB - Falcons have played well, but it wasn't against LSC teams. Buffs already had two tough games, and should end UTPB's unbeaten streak. Hope to see a huge crowd for this one. WT 35-17
Mesa at Mines - it will take a really good defense to take down the Orediggers, and the Mavericks don't seem to quite match up. Mines 42-24
U Indy at SBU - a changing of the guard at another SR 4 conference? or business as usual? SBU in an offensive shootout, 45-42
Most offense - Texas A&M Commerce get their running game going this week, and Perez could have even better numbers this week.
MSU at TAMK - We figured the Javelinas would be better, but they have played above our expectations, while the Mustangs looked about right in their season opener. Both teams will try to establish the run, but it won't be easy. The Javelinas passing game looks to be the better of the two and the defense has played well early on, even taking out last week's game. With an expected big, loud stadium, home field advantage goes to TAMK, and they eke out a 28-24 win.
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