Week 2 Game Previews

Volleyball Schedule
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TAMUK - WNMU, UTPB
Cameron - WTAM, ENMU
MSU - ENMU, WTAM
TSU - TWU, TAMC
ASU - TAMC, TWU

Away 
WNMU - TAMK, TAMUI
UTPB - TAMK, TAMUI
WTAM - Cameron, MSU
ENMU - Cameron, MSU
TAMC - TSU, ASU
TWU - TWU, ASU



Last week's Football results
7-1, missed on Tarleton State game, was off a bit on other points differential
Missouri S&T 31 - ENMU 14 (prediction 35-31 )
Tarleton State 44 - Delta State 13 (DSU 28-17)
ETSU 37 - A&I 36 (35-17)
San Diego 38 - Western New Mexico 9 (42-14)
Midwestern State 55 - Humboldt State 12 (42-17)
Azusa Pacific 17 - West Texas A&M 7 (31-14)
Texas Southern 26 - UT Permian Basin 16 (35-21)
Angelo State 24 - Western Oregon 17 (35-14)



Texas A&M-Commerce at William Jewel, noon
The Lions struggled to find a rhythm, but found a way to win last week.  Trailing most of regulation, the Texas A&M-Commerce scored the last 16 points in regulation, including a 34 yard FG with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, to force overtime.   QB Preston Wheeler completed less than half of his passes (23 of 48) but connected when it matter, hitting Marquis Wimberley on a 4th and goal in the second overtime to tie the game, before Kristov Martinez hit the game winning PAT.  The run game struggled most of the game as well, but in overtime, the Lions ran the ball on 8 of their 10 offensive plays, picking up almost as many yards as in regulation (38 vs. 56).  The defense was expected to be solid coming into the season, and was in regulation, giving up just 23 points and 364 yards.  However in OT, they did not get a stop in OT, allowing TDs on 4 plays in each OT.

They should be able to work out all of their kinks and get the backups plenty of reps as well, facing William Jewel team coming off a 2-9 season in 2017, including a 59-6 throttling by TAMC in week two.  Last week's season opener against Drake was canceled due to bad weather.  The Cardinals have four QB's on their roster, three freshmen and soph Will Schneider who was 4-11 for 123 yards and an INT last year.  Bulla Graft and Rye'll Dydell are the only returning RBs and they had a combined 101 yards rushing.  They do have some experienced receivers, but how many balls will make it to them?  This will get ugly early.  Lions roar 63-7.


UT Permian Basin at Northern Michigan, noon
The Falcon's 2018 campaign got off to a stormy start literally - a two and a half severe weather delay resulted in a 9:35 game start - and figuratively, as they lost 26-16 at FCS Texas Southern.  The offense sputtered for nearly three quarters, only able to gain 139 yards with Kameron Mathis at QB and unable to capitalize on two possessions inside the TSU 10 yard line.  Sam Allen came in at QB with about 3 minutes to play in the 3rd quarter, and led the Falcons to 2 TDs and 158 yards of offense in just 18 minutes.  A big chunk of that came on a 64 yard TD pass to Ben Galivaz that pulled UTPB to within 10 points.  The Tiger defense shut down UTPB the rest of the way, and they were able to keep the clock moving and take the win.  The run game was productive, picking up 182 yards with a 5.5 per carry average.  Allen and Mathis were a combined 11-26 passing for just 115 yards.  Defensively, the Falcons gave up 363 yards, but just 13 points over the final 50 minutes.  Special teams was a mixed bag, scoring on a blocked PAT, but missing two short FGs.

They'll face a Wildcat squad coming off a 1-9 season and a 34-28 loss to McKendree in the 2018 season opener.  The offense racked up 28 first downs and 515 total yards, but had a interception late in the game, setting up McKendree with a short field for a TD.  The offense was balanced, with 232 yards passing and 283 on the ground.  The defense gave up 442 yards, 258 passing and 184 rushing.  On neutral ground, this game is a toss-up, but a long trip for the Falcons gives NMU an edge.  NMU 35-21.


Western New Mexico at Idaho, 4 p.m.
A 38-9 loss doesn't look good on the surface, but with the uncertainty about the Mustangs coming into the season, maybe it's not so bad.  San Diego has made the FCS playoffs the past two years, and came out quick, putting up a 28 points on their first four possessions.  After that, WNMU's defense settled down and allowed just two sustained drives the rest of the way.  The offense never did get untracked.  Outside of an 82 yard TD pass, WNMU picked up just 214 yards and saw the USD red zone just twice all day.  Blayne Armstrong debuted at QB, completing 13-24 for 209 yards with 1 TD and 1 Int.  Not much of a running game, DeAndre Williams led with just 32 yards.  Kourde Roberts had 3 catches for 92 yards, including the 82 yard TD.  The defense gave up 411 yards and was led by Isaiah Pierre and Connor Mowat with 10 tackles each.

The Idaho Vandals went 4-8 last year as an FBS member in the Sun Belt conference.  This year, they are FCS playing in the Big Sky conference.  Last week, they dropped a 79-13 decision to Fresno State, turning the ball over 7 times, leading to 38 Bulldog points.  Don't expect such generosity this week.  Vandals take it 35-7.

Angelo State at Abilene Christian, 6 p.m.
Rams fired up to face D-I Wildcats - Charles Bryce, gosanangelo.com
(Game Notes)
For most of the game, the Rams had a hard time getting things going.  Penalties, turnovers and missed FGs added up to a 17-16 deficit with under 2 minutes to play.  Luckily, the offense put together a 5 play 67 yard drive, culminating with a pretty 16 pass to Lawson Ayo for the game-winning TD.  The Rams dominated the box score, outgaining Western Oregon 471-313 in total yards and a 185-37 edge in rushing yards.  Charlie Rotherham was the more effective QB, leading all three TD drives, completing 17-26 passes for 199 yards and 2 TDs.  Payne Sullins was 8-14 for 87 yards but had two INTs.  Tyrese Nathan led the run game with 134 yards, and Keke Chism, Tashani Bibbs and Lawson Ayo each had 7 receptions for a total of 254 yards and 2 TDs.  Kicker Connor Flanigan had a rough day, going 1-4 on FGs, hitting a 42 yarder in the first quarter, but missing from 46, 38 and 36 later in the game.  The defense played well, holding the Wolves to decent yardage, picking off three WOU passes (2 by Hunter Kyle, and wracking up 5 sacks (3 by Markus Jones of course).

Since leaving the LSC after the 2012 season, ACU has compiled a 19-38 record, including 7-26 the past three years.  They opened 2018 with a 55-27 loss at Baylor, getting outgained by a 606-466 margin.  QB Anthony Luke threw for 224 yards and 2 TDs last week against Baylor, with DJ Fuller catching 9 passes for 102 yards and a 54 yard TD.  Billy McCrary had 141 yards rushing on just 6 carries, with 75 of that coming on a long TD run.  Tracy James had 40 yards on 12 carries.  The defense gave up 295 yards and 5 TDs rushing, allowing 8.2 yards per carry.  Every LSC fan will be pulling for the Rams, and though they could give ACU a good contest, ACU pulls it out at home, 31-17.


Oklahoma Panhandle State at West Texas A&M, 6 p.m.
Hmm... still trying to figure the Buffs out.  They were the underdogs at Azusa Pacific and only lost by 10.  The defense played well, holding APU to just 17 points, 357 yards and forcing 4 turnovers.  True freshman Tobias Harris had 7 tackles and 2 interceptions in his collegiate debut.  But the offense struggled, with just 76 rushing yards (305 total), 3 turnovers and just 7 points.  Mitch Hood went the distance at QB, completing 23-39 passes for 229 yards but had two picks, including a killer in the end zone right before half with WT trying to the game.

They'll get a bit of a break this week.  OPSU, coming off a 7-3 season in the NAIA CSFL, dropped its season opener to Hastings 17-26 after leading 17-7 midway through the second quarter.  The Aggies were outgained 438-263 and racked up 161 penalty yards.  Should be just what the doctor ordered.  WT 28-10.


Tarleton State at Stephen F. Austin State, 6 p.m.
Who saw Tarleton winning by such a comfortable margin last week?  This was what we were looking for last year, but we only saw in flashes.  If this Texan team plays like this consistently, look out.  The defense shut down the Delta State running game and contained the passing game, allowing just 13 points and keeping the fighting Okra out of the end zone until under 4 minutes in the game well after things were decided.  Putting an exclamation point on things, Prince Robinson and Jai Edwards each had pick sixes.  The running game was potent, with 252 yards (145 by Daniel McCants) and 2 TDs.  Ben Holmes had a nice debut , 8-16 for 196 yards and 2 TDs.  Zimari Manning had a huge game - 3 receptions for 144 yards and 2 TDs.  Coach Whitten could not have scripted it any better.

So what about this week's opponent?  Stephen F. Austin got blasted last week 63-6 to #18 Mississippi State, and have not had a winning season since 2014.  At QB is Foster Sawyer, who spent three seasons with TCU, though he did not play much.  His top receiver is junior Tamrick Pace, who came into the season with 1,481 yards and 13 TDs in two seasons.  The defense gave up 205 yards rushing last year, so this could be another good week for the Tarleton backs.  Look for the Texans to stay within striking distance, but SFA to pull out a close one.  SFA 31-24.


Colorado Mesa at Eastern New Mexico, 7 p.m.
We did not pick the Greyhounds to win last week, but we thought it would be close.  Instead, Missouri S&T jumped out quick and then pulled away from ENMU.  The Miners piled up over 500 yards, with 3 drives of over 70 yards and just  on punt all night.  ENMU could only put together 2 drives of 50+ yards, both after falling behind 24-0.  In fact, 196 of their 269 total yards came after the Miners put them 24 down in the third quarter.  The cannot afford to spot anyone that much and come out on top.  Paul Terry and Johnny Smith had good numbers (153 combined yards), but again too little too late.

Colorado Mesa survived a major scare, scoring two four quarter TDs to hold off South Dakota Mines 36-33.  They needed an converted onside kick to set up field position for the final score.  Eystin Salum threw for 257 and a TD yards and rushed for 111 and another TD.  The defense gave up 431 yards, 268 passing and 163 rushing to Hardrocker team that they beat 69-7 the previous year.  After last week, I'm kind of down on the Greyhounds.  CMU 28-24.


Texas Wesleyan at Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7 p.m.
Oh what might have been.  The Javelinas were just a couple of mishaps away from shocking the nation, ultimately falling to the defending national champion Lions in double OT, 37-36.  On the plus side, TAMK outgained the Lions 414-396, went 5-5 in the red zone and looked like a totally different team than last year's squad.  On the negative side, the running game never got on track and two bad snaps on PAT's really hurt.  Koy Detmer started slowly, but was solid in his debut, going 33-47 for 320 yards and 4 TDs, though he did have 2 Ints.  Ty Chisum and Aaron Dilworth look to be ready for big seasons, combining for 164 yards and 3 TDs receiving, while veteran TEs Torrey Thomas and Roe Posada had 8 receptions for 79 yards.  The defense was aggressive, shutting down the Lion ground attack in regulation, and held Preston Wheeler to less than a 50% completion rate for the game.  Brandon Jones looked to be in 2016 form, and the secondary looks much improved.

This week's game looks like a glorified scrimmage.  NAIA Texas Wesleyan restarted their program last year and went 1-10, with the lone win a forfeit from Wayland Baptist.  Last week they lost to Kansas Wesleyan 42-7.  The leading offensive threat is running back Jermarcus Jones.  Jones had 713 yards rushing in 2017 and opened 2018 with 129 and 62 receiving on 3 catches.  Overall, the offense racked up 473 yards, but had 4 turnovers.  The defense gave up 532 yards last week, with the majority coming on big plays (21 plays of 10+ yards, for 468 yards).  Javelinas romp, 49-14.



West Florida at Midwestern State, 7 p.m.  (Game of the Night)
Game Notes
The most dominating LSC team last week was easily the Mustangs.  MSU found the end zone the first six possessions, with 5 of those drives of 58+ yards.   They only punted once.  They had 593 yards offensively while allowing 293.  Layton Rabb was 15-17 for 273 yards and 5 TDs in one half, and backup Zach Purcell was 10-15 for 106 and 2 TDs in his half.  Vincent Johnson had 102 yards rushing in just 7 carries.  Six different receivers had TD catches.  The defense did not allow a TD (HSU scored on a pick six).  You get the idea, the Mustangs were on fire.  Now Humboldt may prove to be a poor team this year, but still...

The defending national runner-up Argonauts opened their season with a tough 19-9 win over #22 Carson -Newman.  Starting QB Mike Beaudry was injured in the first quarter, but backup Sam Vaughn came in and went 17-29 for 218 yards and a TD.  He had the team moving the ball well in the second half, leading the team on drives of 76 yds (TD), 40 yds (FGA), 77 yds (FG), and 38 yds (FG).  The defense clamped down after the half as well, holding the Carson-Newman offense to just 67 yards and 0 points.

This was supposed to be a rematch from last year, but weather forced the cancellation of the game while MSU was en route.  This should be a great game, not decided until the fourth quarter or later.  Mustangs at home in September are hard to beat.   MSU 35-28.