Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Football Week One Game Previews


ESPN3 game

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LSC Scoop Preseason Power Rankings
  1. Texas A&M-Commerce - did the National Champions reload or will it be a rebuild?
  2. Midwestern State - gave TAMC only loss in 2017, early playoff exit.
  3. Eastern New Mexico - has respect of LSC, when will rest of D2 notice?
  4. Angelo State - if offense can limit turnovers, Rams could be surprise of LSC.
  5. Texas A&M-Kingsville - need consistency to return to 2016 form.
  6. Tarleton State - Texans could be LSC team with most upside.
  7. West Texas A&M - Buffs look to take a step forward after tough 2017.
  8. UT Permian Basin - Falcons continue to improve.
  9. Western New Mexico - with such a late start on recruiting, 2018 could be a long season.

Kale Steed's LSC Power Rankings 


Week One Football Schedule 
Thursday 8-30
Eastern New Mexico (8-3) at Missouri S&T (7-4) - The Miners return the key contributors from an offense that averaged 37 points and 460 yards per game - a 3,000 yard passer (from Dickinson, TX), a 1,500 yard rusher, and a WR trio who combined for 2,000 receiving yards.  The defense gave up 26 points and just 294 yards per game, and is led by DE Tershawn Wharton (64 tackles, 21 TFL, 13.5 sacks) and LB Landon Compton (78 tackles, 16 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 Ints).  The Greyhounds graduated some key pieces to last year's 8-3 squad.  The most recognizable loss Kamal Cass, the LSC's leading rusher each of the last three years, and fifth on the all-rime LSC rushing list with almost 4,300 yards.  Of course a big part of his success was due to the offensive line, which loses 2 first and 1 second team All-LSC performers.  The defense also loses 1 first team and 3 HM All-LSC players.  The key to the offense will be junior QB Wyatt Strand - as he goes, so goes the running game.  Look for the home-field and greater number of offensive starters to give the Miners a slight edge, 35-31.

Delta State (9-4) at Tarleton State (6-6) - The Statesmen went 9-4 last year, dropping a second round playoff game to West Alabama.  The run-heavy offense will once again be led by Breck Ruddick.  The senior passed for just 1,422 yards, with 10 TDs and 10 Ints.  But he was second on the team with 778 yards rushing.  He may be leaned on more with the graduation of Chris Robinson (1,324 yds 18 TDs) at running back and most of the offensive line.  The defense returns 5 starters, including Zane Samuel and Tramond Lofton (combined 19 TFL) on the line, which could prove tough for the Texan running game.  With the graduation of all-time leading passer Zed Woerner and his top WR's Jeff Thomas and Del'Michael High, the Texans will probably be running the ball more this year.  The running back stable looks deep with Xavier Turner, Adam Berryman and Daniel McCants returning and redshirt junior D'Anthony Hopkins expected to join them.  Coach Todd Whitten has indicated the QB spot is an open competition between Ben Holmes and Derek Kiser.  Tyrell Thompson, E. J. Speed and Devin Hafford are the leaders on defense.  Delta State looks to have a bit more experience from a better 2017 team - DSU 28-17.

Texas A&M-Kingsville at Texas A&M-Commerce
Watch the game on ESPN3
The only LSC matchup in week one, pits the long time LSC rivals that have combined for 50 conference titles (the rest of the current LSC has 17 total).  This marks the 65th meeting, with the Javelinas holding a 35-28-1 lead overall, but the Lions have won the last 6, reversing a stretch that saw the Javelinas win 16 of 19 contests.

On paper, the Lions look to have a big edge - defending national champion, #1 ranking in AFCA preseason poll, and a lot of experience on both sides of the ball.  They did lose Luis Perez, the 2017 Harlon Hill recipient, at QB, and WRs Buck Wilson and D'Arthur Cowan, so they might lean on the running game more.  That should mean big numbers for Carandal Hale and E. J. Thompson who combined for 1,307 yards as freshmen last year. Kane Wilson is the likely starter at QB, and the Lions might try to not overload him early in the year.  When they do throw the ball, Marquis Wimberly, Darrion Landry and Vincent Hobbs are proven targets.  Malik Ellis and Jordan Smith return as starters on the offensive line.  The defense returns 9 starters from last year's championship game (and 17 on two-deep) - 8 of which receive All-LSC honors.  Up front will be Michael Onuoha, DD Fletcher and Peyton Searcy, with Burcks Saathoff and Neema Behbahani backing them at LB.  The secondary is led by Chris Smith, Alex Shillow and Darent White.  It's hard to imagine a better unit in the LSC.

On the other hand, the Javelinas are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-7 season.  Cade Dyal returns at QB, after throwing for more than 2,000 yards with 19 TDs as a redshirt freshman.  He is battling BYU transfer Koy Detmer, Jr. and Casey Rosellini for the starting job (as of today, no starter has been named).  Nico Brown is the top returning WR, but look for solid contributions from Aaron Dilworth, Ty Chisum and Arizona transfer Donovan Moore as well as senior TEs Torrey Thomas and Roe Posada.  The strength of the offense is at running back, where Nick Pelrean (731 yds, 6.4 per carry) and Jeff Carr (464 yds) return, and are joined by Luis Lopez (596 yds in 2016) and true freshman Joshua Oglesby.  The biggest question mark is the offensive line, where junior Omar Wilkins is the only returnee with much experience.  Defensively, several new faces look to bolster a unit that gave up 31 points and 393 yards per game.  The biggest name for Javelina fans is defensive coordinator Haskell Buff.  Buff was the defensive coordinator for TAMK in the early 2000's, and his defenses were a big part of four straight LSC championships/NCAA playoff appearances, including national semifinal appearances in 2002 and 2003.  The strength of the defense could be the line, which could be one of the better units in the LSC if Brandon Jones can regain his 2016 LSC Defensive Player of the Year form.  The linebackers and secondary are young.  Look for newcomers DT Kevin Scott, LB Dynamite Jones-Fa'agata, DBs Payton Hendrix, Jordan Semanat and Brajhon Crenshaw to provide immediate help.

Lions pull away and win comfortably, 35-17.


Saturday 9-1
Western New Mexico at San Diego
To be honest, we are not expecting much from the Mustangs this year.  New coach Frank Tristan was not hired until early March, and there was no public indication of any player additions at that point.  They will have some talented players returning.  On offense, running backs Justin Harris, DeAndre Williams, WRs Evan Beebe and Elijah Jones, and OL Tytus Timoteo, Iverson Moana, Chris Ulufale, and Misipapa Faave (combined 24 starts) all return and are joined by David Avelar who moves over from the DL.  But who will be the new QB?  The defense has four starters back, with the DL having the most experience.  DLs Joe Tito and Connor Mowat, LB Tyler Butler and DB Isaiah Edwards look to be the leaders.

San Diego has won the last 7 contests between the teams, and made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2017.  They will be led by three year starting QB Anthony Lawrence, who has over 8,500 yards and 81 TDs passing.  This should be a comfortable win for the Toreros, USD 42-14.

UT Permian Basin at Texas Southern
On the other hand, most expect the Falcons to continue to show improvement.  The question is whether it will result in more wins.  UTPB has gone 2-9 each year, but both wins last year were against D2 teams, while the 2016 squad got wins over a D3 and NAIA school.  Two-year starter Kameron Mathis was named the starting QB once again.  Now a junior, he'll need to improve if UTPB is to take another step forward.  In his first two years, he's completed less than 50% of his passes with 27 TDs and 21 Ints.  His top two targets (Mithcell Leonard and Kristian Brown) are back, but Marquis Simmons is the only running back with experience.  Up front, the Falcons have been forced to play youngsters the past two years.  That could pay dividends this year, as the core of that unit has valuable experience, yet none are seniors.  The defense returns 16 of last year's top 22 in tackles.  The strength is at linebacker, with 3 of the top 4 in team tackles is back (Chris Hoad, Keegan Gray and Emilio Solis).  The defensive line lost 3 of their top performers, but do return John O'Kelley and Ray Dinnall-Guerra.  The secondary has 10 returnees that were in the top 22 in team tackles.  That means two things - they have a lot of experience returning, and the secondary was involved in way too many tackles.  Of the 16 returning, only 3 are seniors.

Texas Southern was also 2-9 last year, with wins over Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff and narrow losses in three other games.   The should have the depth and home-field advantage to take this one.  TSU 35-21. 




Humboldt State at Midwestern State
The Jacks start their final season with a very tough road game.  They just missed out on the playoffs last year, going 7-2 in D2 games with both losses coming against Central Washington.  They'll have to do it this year without running back Ja'Quan Gardner (5,495 yds 72 TDs rushing), QB Robert Webber (2,894 yds, 28 TDs, 184.7 eff. rating in 2017), their top 8 players in receptions and three All-GNAC offensive linemen.  The defense is also depleted, with just 7 of the top 22 in tackles returning.  Sefa Tauanu'u was 2nd-GNAC on the DL and  Curtis Williams was an honorable mention selection.

On the other hand, the Mustangs return a solid nucleus from last year's LSC Championship and NCAA playoff team.  Up front, seniors A.J. Roland (1st LSC), Kevin Fisher (2nd, HM in 2016) and sophomore Caleb Brown (HM) will set the tone.  QB Layton Rabb (3,100 yds, 31 TDs), RBs Adrian Seales  and Vincent Johnson (combined 1,561 yds and 24 TDs rushing) and WRs Tyrique Edwards and Xavier Land will look to improve on last year's team numbers (42.5 points, 483 yards per game).  The defense has a lot coming back as well, 10 of the top 11 and 17 of the top 22 in tackles from last year.  The secondary is especially strong with Josh Wydermyer (1st LSC), Sir'Vell Ford and DaMarcus Wilson (both 2nd) leading the group.  The linebacking corps is strong and deep as well.  The line doesn't have as many returnees, but Alec DiValerio will be joined by several transfers, and this will not be a weakness this season.  Mustangs win this one pulling away.  MSU 42-17.

West Texas A&M at Azusa Pacific (coming soon)
Year 2 of the Hunter Hughes era begins with a tough road game.  Azusa Pacific was 7-4 last year, opening with a road win over WT.  Their losses came at the hands of Humboldt State and Central Washington losing all four games by an average of just 6.5 points.  They'll have a new QB, most likely Tyrone Williams, who had a QB efficiency rating of 205.4 in four appearances as a redshirt freshman last year.  He'll have the top 3 receivers back, the best being Weston Carr who had 86 receptions for 1,458 yards and 15 TDs.  Gavin McDaniel is the only RB returning with more than 100 yards rushing.  The strength of the defense is at linebacker where all-GNAC performers Aaron Berry, Willie Fair, and Adrian Shocks combined for more than 200 tackles, 27.5 TFL and 10 sacks.

The Buffs have named Mitch Hood as the starting QB.  As a sophomore at Santa Rosa JC, Hood threw for 2,981 yards, with 26 TDs and 15 Ints.  He went to Mississippi State as a walk-on last year, but did not see any action.  Last year's starter Justin Houghtaling will be ready to step in should the need arise.  Jordan Johnson is the leading rusher, with a modest 157 yards and 3 TDs.  He should get help from ULM transfer Duke Carter IV and JC transfer Logan Vallo.  The young offensive line should show improvement as year two of the transformation progresses.  Lance Hyder is the only returning player to have received LSC honors last year.  The Austin senior had 61 tackles, with 7.5 TFL and 5 sacks last season.  Also back are LB Eric Collins, and DBs Chaz Slatinsky, Keimone Davis,  Kevon Thomas and Keith Blank, though some could see new positions this year.
This is a tough opener for Hood and the Buffs, look for Azusa Pacific to take this one 31-14.


Angelo State at Western Oregon (coming soon)
Angelo State was a top 2 team in the LSC in scoring and yardage, both offensively and defensively last year.  Neither Texas A&M-Commerce nor Midwestern State could make that claim, yet both of them made the NCAA playoffs and the Rams had a 6-5 season.  What gives?  The Rams it turns out.  Turnovers were the deciding factor in losses to Tarleton State, Midwestern State and Washburn, where they were a negative 10 in turnover margin, allowing four TDs by the opponents and killing several promising drives.

The strength for the Rams this year should be the defense.  LSC Defensive Player of the Year Markus Jones leads a squad that was second in the LSC in both yards and points allowed.  With Jones (18.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks) and Bright Ihegworo (10.5 TFL, 4 sacks) manning the front line, Grant Aschenbeck and Hunter Kyle back them up at LB (combined 165 tackles, 14.5 TFL).  Leddy French is the leader in a secondary that has some holes to fill.  For the offense, QB Charlie Rotherham and RB Tyrese Nathan look to break out after 2017 seasons that saw them split time with players who have graduated.  Nathan had 430 yards rushing with a nice 4.8 per carry average.  Rotherham threw for 1,553 yards, but only had a 6-5 TD-Int ratio.  He has several of last year's top receivers back - Lawson Ayo (49-755 8 TD), Keke Chism (28-384 4 TD), and Tashani Bibbs (41-357 1 TD), as well as Andre Gillette, Blake Harrison, A.J. Wozniak and Emmanuel Henry up front.

The Wolves suffered through a 3-8 season with wins over Western New Mexico and 2 over Simon Fraser, though the season finale was just three points.  Not helping matters - just one player who received GNAC honors returns, LB Bo Highburger, though about a dozen junior college transfers will bring in infusion of talent and playing experience.  All in all, this looks like another long season for WOU.  Angelo starts off strong, 35-14.
 

Monday, August 27, 2018

News from around the LSC 08-27-2018


Will Wagner Preview Western Oregon
 
MSU Football Camp Highlights


 
TAMC Football Scrimmage

Colby Carthel comments
 
UTPB Press Conference
 

 
Rams read to take it up a notch in 2018 - Charles Bryce, Gosanangelo.com
MSU's Vincent Johnson going for records, titles - Andy Newberry, timesrecordnews.com
WT Coach Hughes names Hood starting QB - Kale Steed, Amarillo.com
(also Kameron Mathis named starter for UTPB)




Volleyball - Tarleton State remains #18 in AVCA poll
Volleyball - Three LSC teams receiving votes in AVCA Poll
LSC Volleyball Standings

Thursday, August 23, 2018

LSC Preseason Polls and first week Volleyball schedule








Volleyball Schedule
 Kathleen Brasfield Invitational 
TAMK -  NMHU, UAFS, St. Marys, ECU
Angelo State - St. Mary's, NMHU, ECU, UAFS

Tarleton Invitational
Tarleton - Black Hills, Harding, Ok. Baptist, #16 Central Oklahoma
MSU - Ok. Baptist, #16 Central Oklahoma, Black Hills, Harding
TAMC - Harding, Black Hills, #16 Central Oklahoma, Ok. Baptist

2018 Britkare Lady Buff Classic -
WTAM - Adams State, #10 Rockhurst, Emporia, LCU
ENMU - Adams State, Emporia, LCU, #10 Rockhurst

Dr. Margaret Downing Invitational
UTPB - Mississippi College, Southern Arkansas, Union (TN), Quincy
Cameron - Quincy, Mississippi College, Union (TN), Southern Arkansas

University-Alaska Anchorage Invite
Western New Mexico - Alaska Anchorage, Barton College, Michigan Tech, Alaska Fairbanks

Springhill Suites Pioneer Invitational
TWU - SWO, Northwood, St. Edwards, Florida Tech

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LSC Football Preseason Poll

No.Team1stTotal
1Texas A&M-Commerce13201
2Midwestern State10200
3Eastern New Mexico142
4Angelo State136
5Tarleton State130
6Texas A&M-Kingsville104
7West Texas A&M73
8UT Permian Basin157
9Western New Mexico37




LSC Scoop Preseason Power Rankings
  1. Texas A&M-Commerce - did the National Champions reload or will it be a rebuild?
  2. Midwestern State - gave TAMC only loss in 2017, early playoff exit.
  3. Eastern New Mexico - has respect of LSC, when will rest of D2 notice?
  4. Angelo State - if offense can limit turnovers, Rams could be surprise of LSC.
  5. Texas A&M-Kingsville - need consistency to return to 2016 form.
  6. Tarleton State - Texans could be LSC team with most upside.
  7. West Texas A&M - Buffs look to take a step forward after tough 2017.
  8. UT Permian Basin - Falcons continue to improve.
  9. Western New Mexico - with such a late start on recruiting, 2018 could be a long season.

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Other Preseason Polls
Cross Country
Women's Soccer Poll
Women's Soccer Honors
Men's Soccer (Heartland)

Lone Star Conference

Angelo State University

Cameron University

Eastern New Mexico University

MSUMustangs.com

Texas A&M-Commerce

Tarleton State University

Texas A&M-Kingsville

Texas Woman's College

University of Texas of the Permian Basin

West Texas A&M University

Western New Mexico