LSC Roundup 9-27

ACU, Kingsville set up early LSC showdown - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
Abilene Christian and Texas A&M-Kingsville did their part to make sure two of the nation’s top teams tangle in a showdown of unbeatens Saturday night in Kingsville.

ACU, ranked No. 5 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II national poll, crushed Tarleton State 65-3 on Saturday at Shotwell Stadium, while No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville took care of Incarnate Word 37-9 in San Antonio.

Both ACU and Kingsville are 4-0 overall and 3-0 in Lone Star Conference play.


Javelinas' defense sees room to improve - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
SAN ANTONIO — While the first game for Texas A&M-Kingsville without running back Fred Winborn produced mixed offensive results, it was business as usual for the Javelinas’ defense.

And business has been booming.

The sixth-ranked Javelinas continued to place their collective cleats on the throats of opponents Saturday night at Incarnate Word in front of 5,412, the most people to file into Benson Stadium since the Cardinals’ initial game against Monterrey Tech last season.

Boasting the top-ranked defense among NCAA Division II teams entering the game, the Javelinas allowed their first offensive touchdown in 12 quarters but little else. For the fourth consecutive ballgame, A&M-Kingsville didn’t allow a point in the second half. The 4-0 Javelinas rode the momentum of 28 first-half points to silence the Cardinals 37-9 in a Lone Star Conference South Division opener.

In typical fashion, and perhaps as a signal for A&M-Kingsville’s remaining seven regular-season opponents, the Javelinas aren’t satisfied.

“We can get way better. I know we’ve played well the first couple weeks of the season. But it’s early in the season,” said senior free safety Corey Robertson, who returned a fumble 24 yards for a touchdown. “The longer you go the more chemistry you have as a defensive unit, the defensive line coming in and out, the linebackers, the secondary. We have enough players that we can come out and dominate the rest of the season.”

Buffs' secondary provides big plays - Dave Henry, Amarillo Globe News
SAN ANGELO - West Texas A&M's spread offense usually gets most of the attention, and lighting up the scoreboard once a week will do that.

However, the Buffs' 37-27 victory at Angelo State on Saturday featured a strong defensive effort that proved to be the difference.

The Rams, with two weeks to prepare for WT's offense - which entered the game first in the nation in total offense (593.33 yards a game) and second in scoring offense (49.67 points a game) - gave up 532 yards but did an impressive job stopping the pass.

That put the pressure on the WT defense, playing without starting defensive ends Bryan Braman, arguably the top defensive lineman in the Lone Star Conference, and Simi Kuli. Braman was held out of the game with a knee injury suffered in practice last week. Kuli was suspended indefinitely last week after his arrest on drug-related charges.


Other Headlines
ACU can't hold early lead in 2-1 LSC soccer loss to Midwestern - Abilene Reporter News
ACU pair tough in tennis - Abilene Reporter News
ASU SOCCER: Rambelles battle in loss - San Angelo Standard Times
MSU rallies for a 2-1 win over ACU - Times Record News
Lady Buffs tie Saint Mary's, 2-2; Buffs topple Northeastern State - Amarillo Globe News