TAMK over ENMU 35-32 (35-21) - Javelina miscues gave Greyhounds a good shot at upset.
WTAM over ASU 27-0 (45-10) - Buffs offense sputtered a bit, Rams offense didn't show up.
ACU over TSU 37-17 (49-24) - Scott picking up the pace in latter part of the season.
ECU over SWO 42-21 (31-21 SWO) - Marcus Johnson explodes with 6 TD passes.
UCO over MSU 38-33 (24-17 MSU) - Bronchos with second longest win streak in LSC.
For the week 4-2 , for the year 54-11
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#9 Angelo State (3-5) at #4 Tarleton State (7-2)
ASU Game Notes
159. That is how many minutes it has been since Angelo State has scored. Daniel Thomas' 87 yd TD run against Abilene Christian on October 11 is the only playing keeping this from being a three game scoreless streak. With Will Mezger out with an injury, true freshman Michael Cochran got the call. The WT defense took advantage by shutting down the Rams running game (Lee, Thomas and Lewis combined for 18 carries for lust 51 yds) and pressuring Cochran (6 sacks, 9 QB hurries). The defense did its part in keeping the game somewhat respectable, forcing 4 turnovers and keeping WT well below their scoring average.
TSU Game Notes
A 12 yd Scott Graham to Devin Guinn touchdown pass pulled Tarleton State to with 4 of #2 ranked ACU last Saturday. Sadly for the Texans, they would get no closer. Bernard Scott took over in the thrid quarter, and ACU scored the next 23 points to pull away from the Texans and win 37-17. The defense did hold ACU to just 480 yds and a a season low 37 points, but the offense could must just 265 yards of offense (75 rushing). In the critical third quarter, four consecutive possessions resulted in just 9 plays for a negative 7 yards and two turnovers.
This should be a relatively quick game as the top two teams in the LSC in rushing attempts face off. The Texans are second in the LSC with 190 yds per game on the ground, while the Rams are 5th at 130 yds per contest. ASU's Daniel Thomas is second in rushing at 95 yds per game and just 144 yds short of 1,000 for the season and just 70 shy of 3,000 for his career. TSU's Roderick Smith is right behind Thomas with 94 yds per game and needs 150 to reach 1,000 for the season, and just 166 to reach 2,500 for his career (with another year remaining). Tarleton has the advantage passing and also has the top pass defense in yards allowed. The Rams need to create turnovers and capitalize when they have scoring opportunities. The Rams are playing for pride, while the Texans still have a shot at the playoffs if they can win out (WT next week). Tarleton takes a 28-7 win.
Tonight’s game can be viewed on the CBS College Sports Network. For Suddenlink subscribers, the game will be on channel 244. For Dish Network, channel 152. For DirecTV, channel 613.
#11 East Central (2-5) at #5 Central Oklahoma (5-4)
The Tigers put it all together last week, beating Southwestern Oklahoma 42-21. The offense put together long scoring drives (the first four averaged 65 yds) and didn't turn the ball over. The defense kept the Bulldogs to under 300 yds, and force 3 turnovers. Marcus Johnson tied his own school record with 6 TD passes. Johnson now has 2,472 yds and 17 TD passes this season. With 37 more passing yards, he will break his own single season record set last year (2,508).
UCO Game Notes
The Bronchos have certainly surpassed all expectations (with all the turmoil, we had them picked last in the North, while the LSC preseason poll had them at fourth) coming into the season. With an 0-4 record (and three consecutive blowouts) it looked like we were dead on, but give Tracy Holland, his staff and the Broncho team all the credit in the world. They never gave up and last week's 38-33 win over Midwestern State gave them a 5 game winning streak (second only to ACU's 8) and a #10 regional ranking. Brandon Noohi continued his stellar play at QB, throwing for 225 yds and a TD and rushing for 2 more TDs, while Da'Marean Pullen added 69 yds rushing and a TD. The defense forced 3 first half turnovers, including Terry Hardeman's interception returned 69 yds for a TD. With the game on the line and MSU in Broncho territory, Mike Reed and Tucker Carson got the only two UCO sacks of the game to preserve the victory.
#8 Southeastern Oklahoma (4-4) at #7 Texas A&M Commerce (4-3)
The Savage Storm defense has gotten stingy the last two weeks - shutting out Angelo State and holding Northeastern State to just a FG. This coming from a team that was allowing 39.4 pts and 420.5 yds per game after 7 contests. Cameron Sparks picked off two passes last week, and Alex Moore and Rocky Phillips each had 2 of the teams 7 sacks. Offensively, Brandon McCain continues to do well, throwing for 301 yds and 4 TDs against the Riverhawks. Daniel Nichols had 4 receptions for 129 yds and a TD.
Texas A&M Commerce had an off week, after defeating ECU in the inaugural Harvey Martin Classic the week before. That victory continued a trend this season that has not seen the Lions win or lose consecutive games (not a good omen for this week). That inconsistency has resulted in two 30 pt losses, and close games against teams they should have handled easily. The running game is averaging just 109 yds per game (only 3.1 per carry) and has just 8 rushing TDs. Terry Mayo and Trent Miller have combined for almost 1,500 yds passing with 11 TDs, but 9 Ints. Willie Thorton has been the lone threat at receiver with 37 catches for 731 yds and 9 TDs. The defense has played well for the most part, allowing just 314 yds per game. They lead the LSC in passing defense efficiency, have picked off 14 passes and lead the LSC in sacks with 32 (Ricky Hope and Luke Higgins each with 6.5, tied for first).
In the preseason, this looked like the game that should decide the LSC North (we had them 1-2 in the North as did the preseason LSC poll). Now it looks like the winner may have to settle for second spot. The loser faces the prospect of a losing season. The key to this game could well be the TAMC passing game. When the Mayo to Thorton connection is working, they are pretty good. When its off, they struggle. We're going to go against the grain of TAMC's see-saw season, and SOSU's recent resurgence. TAMC at home 24-21
#10 Eastern New Mexico (1-7) at#6 Midwestern State (5-3)
They Greyhounds seem to be getting better as the season progresses. The offense has broken the 20 pt mark for three weeks in a row, after averaging 13 the prior four weeks. The defense, despite giving up 35 pts did create 4 turnovers and set up the offense inside TAMK's 20 yd line three times. Special teams really hurt ENMU has they allowed a kick return for a TD, had a punt of negative 4 yards, and had a FG blocked (that would have tied the game). Still the team battled til the end and almost upset a playoff contending team. Freshman JJ Harp threw for 297 yds and 3 TDs, and Darian Dale had 12 catches for 117 yds and a TD. The ENMU run defense stuffed the Javelina running backs, limiting them to just 20 yds on 14 carries.
MSU Game Notes
The offense of the Mustangs continues to come around (390 yds and 33 pts), but three turnovers resulted in 2 first half TDs for UCO as they built an early lead and hung to give MSU their third loss in four weeks, 38-33. Zack Eskridge continues to improve, throwing for a career high 325 yds and 4 TDs, but the running game struggled, with just 65 yards. The defense played well, holding UCO to just 254 yds, but the turnovers and great early field position for UCO early in the game resulted in 38 points for the Bronchos. The loss likely ended any playoff hopes for the Mustangs, especially with Abilene Christian looming next week.
Eastern New Mexico is showing that they are a team for the future. That future is next year at the earliest though. MSU will try to get the running and passing games to click at the same time, and they should have some good success. MSU 31-17.
#13 Northeastern Oklahoma (1-8) at #2 West Texas A&M (7-1)
The offense, which had scored 147 pts the prior 4 weeks, was stymied by Southeastern Oklahoma last week, falling 28-3. Four possessions starting in SOSU territory resulted in two missed FGs, an INT, and the end of the first half. Defensively, the Riverhawks did a good job agains the rush, holding the Savage Storm to just 44 yds, but the pass defense allowed 305 yds and 4 TDs. Not a good omen for this week. Jarrett Byers continues to add to his NSU records - he now has 154 receptions for 2,419 and 28 TDs with two games left to add to those totals.
A week after losing their title bout with Abilene Christian, the Buffalo defense tossed a shutout, and held Angelo State to a paltry 115 yds of offense. The run defense was especially tough, allowing just 15 yds. Daniel Thomas, one of the best running backs in the conference, could only manage 25 yds on 10 carries. Eugene Sims had 3 of the teams 6 sacks, and 2 of WT's 9 QB hurries. The offense gained 468 yds, but 4 turnovers limited them to just 27 points. Charly Martin is now the LSC all-time leader in receiving yards (3,442), receiving TDs(37), and is just 23 receptions away from the mark for receptions.
Look for WT to tune up for the Tarleton State season-finale by getting out to a big lead early and letting the reserves get some playing time. WT wins 49-14.
Oklahoma Panhandle State (0-2) at #12 Southwestern Oklahoma (1-7)OPSU comes into the game 3-5 overall, but just 0-2 vs. D2 schools, losing to 2-7 Ft Lewis and first year program CSU-Pueblo. Incarnate Word, if you haven't completed your schedule for next year, here's a team you might want to give a call to. When this season concludes, they will have played 4 games vs. D2 schools and likely will have lost them all. For the season, the Aggies are averaging 19 pts and 234 yds of offense, 36 rushing and 198 passing. Defensively, they are allowing 28 pts per game, 309 yds, with 147 coming on the ground and 162 through the air.
Did the Bulldogs just have a letdown after so many tough contests, most of which found them on the short end of the score? After jumping to a 7-0 lead on their first possession, SWO was outscored 42-14 the rest of the way. ECU put together 4 long drives to take control of the game, and their defense held SWO to just 283 yds of offense. Junior Steve Day continues to add to his school record for passing yards - he now has 4,937. Ruzell McCoy also continues to have an outstanding season - he now leads the team with 83 tackles, an LSC leading 17 for losses and has 4.5 sacks.
The Bulldogs should be able to relieve their frustrations in this weeks game, and prepare for next weeks game vs. Texas A&M Commerce. Closing out the season with two wins would take away some of the bitter taste. SWO wins 31-10.
#1 Abilene Christian at #3 Texas A&M-Kingsville
(check back tomorrow)
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