The first Game of the Year features a matchup of teams that have won the last 7 LSC Championships. The Buffaloes are right about where everyone expected them to be, undefeated, near the top nationally in offense and with a solid defense. The Javelinas, on the other hand, seem to be ahead of schedule. Almost everyone expected them to be improved, but after an opening game loss at North Dakota, TAMK blew through three LSC North games, all on the road. This will be their home opener.
West Texas A&M
WTAM Game Notes
The Buffaloes have been known in recent years for a potent offense. This year is no different, as WT is second in the LSC in both scoring (47 pts) and total offense (529 yds). Keith Null picked up where he left off last year, and is on pace to become the Buffaloes all-time passing yardage leader. He is completing 69% of his passes for 354 yds a game, and has 13 TD passes to just 3 Ints. His favorite targets have been Charly Martin (24-408 5 TDs) and Carl Johnson (20-294 1 TD). Martin could become the all-time WT leader in receiving yards this weekend (he trails Brad Bailey by 28 yds) and could surpass Bailey in career receptions by the end of the year. Null spreads the ball around well - 3 other players have double digit receptions and 6 others have TD receptions. Keithon Flemming is the leading rusher, with 334 yards and 5 TDs. Kelvin Thompson and Wayne McKnight are quality backups. The offensive line, led by senior Tommy Crowley, Daniel Sherwood and newcomer J'Marcus Webb, have allowed just 5 sacks, and the run blocking has resulted in WT averaging 5.5 yds per carry.
The defense was expected to be much improved with a lot of returning players, and the addition of high profile talent on the defensive line. Dexter Manley II, Broderick Marshall and Eugene Sims anchor the line, backed up by Marvin Wash, Marcus Rowe and Brandon Swain (an All-American in 2007). They have combined for 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for losses. The linebackers are led by All-American Jared Brock. Joining him are Eldon Grimslid, Max Steward, Anthony Scott and Mark Ford. Darnell Johnson, Cashmin Thomas, Kyle Seals, and Braelon Davis are the starters in the secondary, but Tae Evans, Curtis Jefferson, Keyon Kiles, and Arseel Shakoor have provided quality playing time as well.
Texas A&M-Kingsville
There has been a lot of talk about Billy Garza, the transfer from Illinois - and it has been well placed. The senior has thrown for 997 yds, with 8 TDs and 3 Ints, but a completion rate of just 51%. He has shown improvement each game. Jereko Taylor is the leading receiver with 22 catches for 417 yds and 5 TDs. Three other Javelina receivers have double digit receptions as well. The running game has been a surprise averaging 151 yds a game (compared to under 100 last year). No one running back stands out - instead it has been a group effort with no player averaging 40 yds per game. The offensive line has played well, allowing just 3 sacks through 4 games. Juniors Markeith Wesley and Jorge Guerra, have started together since they were freshmen, Soph Tim Byerly is starting at center for the second year, while newcomer Michael Mosmeyer and red-shirt freshman Daniel Sharpe have done well on the other side. Overall the offense is averaging 35 pts (4th in the LSC) and 463 yds (3rd) per game.
A year after allowing 414 yards and 31.5 pts per game, the TAMK defense appears to be greatly improved. Even with North Dakota scoring 40 points in the season opener, the defense is allowing jsut 18.5 pts per game and only 298 yds. The run defense has been especially stingy, holding the opposition to just 56 yds per game and under 2 yds per carry. The defensive line, led by Tyrell Herndon, Jimmy Lugo, Jimmy Saddler-McQueen, Jeff Edwards and Dondi Cooks has combined for 6 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Herndon even has an interception that he returned for 40 yds to his credit. Mike Martinez and Arlen Childress are the teams starters at linebacker and the leading tacklers. The secondary has gotten contributions from a lot of players (8 of teams top 13 tacklers). Jabir Perkins has had an immediate impact with 3 Ints and is third on the team in tackles.
Coach Atterberry on West Texas:
I have a lot of respect for Coach Carthel, his staff, players, and what they
have been able to accomplish. There is a reason they are the defending
champions and continue to play at a high level. They are very consistent
and show up every Saturday ready to play 60 minutes.
Coach Atterberry on the Javelinas:
Our players have focused and continued to get better each week and I am proud of them for that. They understand we still have a lot of work to do and know
it will take a great deal of discipline to accomplish our goals.
KINGSVILLE -- This time last year, Jareko Taylor was a bystander.By John Whisler
He's the mastermind, the unquestioned leader of the school's unprecedented growth in recent years.
So when University of the Incarnate Word president Louis Agnese, awash in pride over his new football team, suggests taking UIW's athletics programs into NCAA Division I by 2012, it's not a surprise.
“We're not that little college at the corner of Broadway and Hildebrand anymore,” he said.
UIW and Division I?
Agnese says it's possible, but only as a last resort if the school fails to gain admittance to the Division II Lone Star Conference.
Go to the San Antonio Express for the rest of the story.
Also: Questions about UIW
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NSU looks to spoil East Central's party
By Travis Metcalf
The Northeastern State University football team plays its homecoming game on Oct. 4, but until then the RiverHawks will be the homecoming opponent when they travel to East Central on Saturday afternoon.
The RiverHawks enter this contest 0-4 after losing, 42-14, against Texas A&M Kingsville. NSU coach Kenny Evans said he completely understands why his team was picked to be the homecoming opponent.
“People are scheduling us for a reason,” Evans said. “Nobody likes to lose their homecoming game and I’m sure that has a lot to do with their scheduling.”Evans feels his team has its best chance of the season of picking up a win on Saturday.
Go to the Tahlequah Daily Press for the rest of the story.
#12 Northeastern State (0-4) at #13 East Central (0-4)
As expected, the defense is ahead of the offense for the Riverhawks. While on the surface, 27 pts
and 379 yds per game doesn't look impressive, the first four opponents for Northeastern State have a combined 12-1 record vs. D2 opponents. Offensively, the team has really struggled - they are last in the LSC in scoring (7.5) and yardage (191) per game. Last week, they had negative rushing yardage for the night, and barely cracked 200 yds for the game. Jarrett Byers continues to add to his collection of school records - he is NSU's career leader in receptions (125), receiving yards (2,027) and now receiving TDs (22)
East Central found themselves in their first close contest last week at Angelo State. The Tigers took their first lead of the season, 17-14 on a Corey Dozier 30 yd FG with 9:14 to go in the third quarter. The Rams scored the next two TDs, but the Tigers pulled back to within three before allowing a final ASU TD to make the margin 34-24. The offense put up season highs in both points (24), yards (462) and rushing yards (131).
These two schools have to be happy to have their opening games behind them and get into LSC North play. Outside of Marcus Johnson's passing, it's hard to know what to expect from two teams that have been so overmatched earlty this year. Both teams average less than 75 yds per game rushing, but the rushing defenses have allowed more than 170 yds per game, so that's not help. ECU does have the advantage in the passing game, and they are home, so... 17-14 ECU gets their first win
#6 Texas A&M Commerce (2-2) at #11 Central Oklahoma (0-4)
In what might be a preview of things to come, the Texas A&M-Commerce offense came alive, gaining 545 yards (the most since 9/15/2001) with the Terry Mayo to Willie Thorton combo doing the bulk of the damage. Mayo threw for 360 yds and 5 TDs and Thorton tied a team record with 4 TD receptions, and set a new Lion record with 266 reception yards. Not to be outdone, the defense racked up 7 sacks, had 13 tackles for losses, forced 2 fumbles, and had 3 interceptions.
UCO Game Notes
Central Oklahoma has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation. They have been blown out a couple of times, but have also give two ranked teams scares. Last week against Tarleton State, a Broncho field goal right before halftime pulled UCO to within 21-17 and with momentum on their side. Tarleton answered right back, taking the kickoff all the way back for a TD and a 28-17 halftime lead. UCO did not recover and ended up losing 42-17.
The Lions ran the ball effecitively last week for the first time this season. With UCO 12th in the LSC in rushing defense, they should be able to once again. That just makes their passing game so much more effective. Which Broncho team will show up Saturday? The one that had over 200 yds offense in the first half last week, put up 17 points and controlled the clock - or the one that was shut out in the second half with less than 50 yards of offense and just 2 first downs. It will probably be somewhere in between, which will be enough for a Lion victory. 28-17 TAMC
#8 Southeastern Oklahoma (1-3) at Norwestern State (LA) (2-2)
The Demons come into this game winners against Texas A&M Commerce in week one, and Grambling two weeks ago, and losers against Baylor and #13 (in IAA) Cal-Poly last week. They prefer to run the ball, but have had only moderate success against a tough schedule. Three players have over 100 yds rushing, but all average below 4 yds per carry. John Hundley has passed for 145 yds per game with 4 TDs and 2 Ints. Defensively, they have allowed 144 yds rushing and 250 passing.
SOSU Game Notes
Its been feast or famine for the Savage Storm. There were blowout losses to Tarleton and ACU in weeks one and four, but also a near upset of nationally ranked Midwstern State and a win over Eastern New Mexico in between. There were some silver linings last week. The offense was able to move the ball for the first 35 minutes of the game, with two scoring drives and two drives that ended in ACU territory with turnovers. Brandon McCain completed 18 of 23 passes for the game. The defense really struggled against ACU (just like everyone else), giving up 581 yds (over 11 yds per play).
The Demons will likely be able to run the ball effectively and control the clock and field position. Even against TAMC, they rushed for over 200 yards. Northwestern State should be able to jump out early and cruise to a relativley easy win. NW 35-14
#3 Tarleton State (4-0) at #10 Southwestern Oklahoma (1-3)
Despite outscoring the opposition by a 42-11 margin, national respect for Tarleton State is slow to come by, as they remain ranked #16 in the AFCA poll. They have been consistent, jumping out early on teams, and relying on their running game to coast in the second halves of their games. They lead the LSC in rushing (245 per game) are fourth in total yardage (414) and third in scoring (42.2). With the running game so effective, they haven't needed much out of Scott Grantham and the passing game. The defense has been nothing less than spectacular, leading the LSC in scoring (10.8) and yardage (186).
Southwestern Oklahoma's season has gone south since winning their opening game. The Bulldogs did play West Texas tough, trailing just 28-20 with 3:42 to go in the third quarter. SWO has struggled running the ball, averaging just 85 yds per game, and just 2.6 yds per carry. Steve Day has had some success throwing the ball, averaging 209 yds per game, but is completing just 43% of his passes, and has almost as many Ints (5) as TDs (6). Joe Sawyer and Johnathan Haggerty have been his favorite targets, accounting for more than half of the team's receptions, yards and TDs. Ruzell McCoy leads the SWO defense, which has been good against the run, limiting teams to 106 yds rushing (3.5 yds per carry).
The Texans love to run the ball, but the Bulldogs have the best run defense the Texans have faced so far. If they struggle a bit, the passing game may need to help out a bit more. For the Bulldogs to have success they need to improve their running game, and improve their completion rate in the passing game. The Texan starters might play a bit longer, but they should pull away. TSU wins 35-14
#1 Abilene Christian (3-0) at #9 Eastern New Mexico (1-3)
ACU Game Notes
ACU continues their impressive march through the LSC. The offense leads the conference in both scoring and yardage, while the defense has been more than adequate (17 pts and 304 yds per game). Billy Malone and Bernard Scott continue to put up big numbers despite backups getting plenty of playing time for the Wildcats. Mike Kerns has chipped in with the scoring, running back an interception 99 yards for a TD, a week after scoring on a fumble return.
ENMU continues their transformation to the air raid offense with uneven results. Greyhound QBs have completed more passes in four games this year, than the last three years combined. The running game is practically non-existant, averaging just 23 yds per game. JJ Harp and Darian Dale gave ENMU a glimpse of the future as they combined for 2 fourth quarter TDs last week. The defense has struggled the past two weeks, allowing almost 500 yds and 33.5 pts per game.
If ENMU had trouble with Willie Thorton and Terry Mayo, what will happen this week with Malone, Scott, Knox and company? Even at Blackwater Draw with all its mojo, the Wildcats will roll. They have scored 40+ in 14 of their last 16 games, look for it them to make it 15 of 17. ACU wins 45-10
Game of the Week (honorable mention)
#7 Angelo State (2-2) at #4 Midwestern State (3-0)
ASU Game Notes
The Angelo State offense enjoyed their best game last week, putting up 34 points and going over 400 yards for the first time. Daniel Thomas had 2 TDs and 177 yds rushing. For the year, they are scoring 20 pts a game, and are just under 300 yds of offense per contest. The defense has been stellar, third in points allowed (15 pts per game) fifth in yardage (301 yds) and they have forced 10 turnovers, tied for tops in the LSC.
MSU Game Notes
Midwestern State played their best game of the season, defeating top 20 ranked Newberry College 24-10. Marcus and Bee Jay Mathis lead the Mustangs offense, combining for 140 of MSU's 182 yds rushing per game. That has been necessary, because the Mustang QBs are completing just 41% of their passes for a league low 105 yds per game and have twice as many Ints (4) as TDs (2). The defense has been the main reason that the Mustangs remain undefeated. Teams a scoring just 11 pts per game, and have been held to just 229 yds a contest.
There will be some high scoring games this weekend, but unless something highly unusual happens, this won't be one of them. These two teams have been led by their defenses and have not had the big offensive numbers that others in the LSC South have put up. We'll take MSU in another close one 17-14.
West Texas A&M won its second Lone Star Conference game Saturday, but now the stakes get higher.
