Texas A&M-Kingsville win win because ... - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
CORPUS CHRISTI — The prevailing questions and concerns surrounding Texas A&M-Kingsville's football team have centered around the Javelinas' offense and its consistency.
No, the Javelinas haven't proven to be a juggernaut when they have the ball. But here is the thing -- they haven't had to run roughshod over their first four opponents.
A&M-Kingsville has let its defense do the dirty work, and it has been filthy. Abilene Christian, ranked one spot better at No. 5 than the Javelinas in American Football Coaches Association Division II poll, will get to experience that Saturday night at Javelina Stadium.
Abilene Christian will win because ... - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
CORPUS CHRISTI — Sure, Texas A&M-Kingsville has a great defense. But Abilene Christian has a much more well-rounded team.
The Wildcats offense can put points on the scoreboard, and that Wildcats defense? Well, it's not too shabby itself.
ACU's defense can hold its own with the Javelinas. Kingsville is ranked No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense (24.50 yards per game), total defense (134.25) and scoring defense (5.75 points per game). But the Wildcats are ranked No. 10 in rushing defense (68), No. 11 in total defense (242.50) and No. 8 in scoring defense (12.25).
Gale turns the corner for ACU - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
A few weeks before Abilene Christian University’s first game of the season, Ken Collums, the Wildcats offensive coordinator, noticed a change in quarterback Mitchell Gale. “To be honest with you, I can’t pinpoint any one thing it was,” Collums said. “But in the course of several days, I started thinking, ‘Who is this guy?’ You look at him on video, and he looks like a real quarterback. He would be a little more consistent with his feet, and that had been a struggle last year. All of sudden, his feet looked really good and the ball was coming out quick. He was way more accurate.”
At that point, Collums knew his sophomore quarterback finally was starting to mature.
“I was telling him, ‘You’re about to turn the corner. I don’t when you’ll get there. But whatever you’re doing, whatever approach you’re taking, it’s right. There’s a difference, and you’re about to turn the corner,’” Collums said.
Staying the course in Kingsville - Jerry Briggs, San Antonio Express
As sixth-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville prepares to host No. 5 Abilene Christian on Saturday, adrenaline in the home team locker room is pumping.
Both Division II teams are undefeated, and fans in Kingsville are talking about a game with Lone Star Conference title implications.
“This is fun,” Javelinas cornerback Derrick Thomas said. “It's a lot of fun.”
Javelinas coach Bo Atterberry also is enjoying the challenge. Abilene has won six games in a row in the series, including all three in Atterberry's tenure.
“Every game is important,” Atterberry said, “but when a team has your number like that, sometimes that game just sticks out a little more on your schedule.”
Javelinas, Wildcats to square off in key matchup - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
There was no movement in the top 10 of either NCAA Division II polls this week as all 10 teams held the same spots in both the AFCA and d2football.com polls for the second straight week.
There will, however, be some movement after this Saturday’s games — and it will be because of a couple of showdowns in Super Region 4.
No. 5 Abilene Christian will be at No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville in the Lone Star Conference showdown, while the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association’s game of the week will pit No. 8 Missouri Western at No. 7 Northwest Missouri.
LSC fans will be more interested in the ACU-TAMUK contest as the winner will take the early lead in the South Division and will give a better indication of just how good both teams are.
TRULY Special teams - Nathan Wright, San Angelo Standard Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — In its first three games, the Angelo State University football team has seen exceptional performances in all three phases of the game. In their season opener against Eastern New Mexico, the Rams had nearly 500 yards of offense and scored six touchdowns in a 41-38 victory. A week later at the Cotton Bowl, the ASU defense had seven sacks and three interceptions in a 31-10 win against Texas A&M-Commerce.
Last week against No. 9 West Texas A&M, the Rams’ special teams took center stage with long returns, including a punt runback for a touchdown and a 46.2 punting average. That special teams play is what kept ASU in the game against the Buffs until the end.
“This is the third game in a row that we have won the special teams battle,” ASU head coach Dale Carr said. “It is starting to take form as we get a more mature team and more experienced players.”
Sherwood's perseverance pays off - Dave Henry, Amarillo Globe News
It is hard to imagine a 23-year-old man being considered a grandpa, but that's life for West Texas A&M starting offensive tackle Dan Sherwood.
Sherwood, who turns 24 Oct. 10, graduated from Amarillo High way back in 2005.
For perspective, Facebook was only about a year old at the time - which makes him downright ancient to some of his teammates.
"I guess I am the grandfather of the team," Sherwood said.
MSU's Faradineh focused on wins, not stats - J. Scott Russell
To say the tight end is an afterthought in the Midwestern State passing game is something of an understatement.
Four games into the 2010 season and they have combined for seven catches for 31 yards and no touchdowns.
Not a very significant number, considering the Mustang quarterbacks have completed 84 passes for 905 yards and seven scores.
But fifth-year senior Sasan Faradineh has grown accustomed to the big discrepancy and is making the most with the opportunities he gets.
“The philosophy here (for the tight end) is block first and catch passes second,” the 6-5, 250-pounder said. “That’s our reward for blocking. I’m in on every pass play, but I’m usually just a check down. It all depends on what type of coverage we’re facing as to what I run. That (blocking) is how I’m going to get on the field. We have a very talented receiving corp, so if I’m going to get on the field, blocking is where I’m going to make my name. Everybody would love to catch passes. I would. But whatever I’m asked to do I’m going to do it. Blocking is more of a challenge for me. When I’m running a route, I know I have them beat. But when I’m blocking I have a certain assignment and I have to be at the right place at the right time.”
Lone Star Conference rankings 9/30/2010 - Joey Richards, Abilene Reporter News
2010 A&M-Commerce sports Hall of Fame inductees announced - The East Texan
The Texas A&'M University-Commerce athletic department announced its newest inductees for the Hall of Fame for 2010 today. The inductees include the 1999 soccer team, the 1980 football team, the 1980 volleyball team and former Lions standouts – Dennis Dyce, Harry Fritz, James Thrower and Cheryl Zachary. In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, Clarence Lynch and Marvin Sedberry will be recognized as the Bobby Fox Outstanding Coach Award recipients.
Summer in minors frustrates Calfee - Nathan Wright, San Angelo Standard Times
Former Angelo State University baseball standout Clay Calfee is still slowly working his way through the minor-league ranks of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
Calfee is back in San Angelo after a summer with the Island Empire 66ers, the Dodgers’ high-A affiliate in San Bernardino, Calif. Despite moving up a level following his first summer in affiliated baseball, the former ASU first baseman described the last few months as “frustrating.”
LSC Scoop Soccer Report
Women’s Soccer Update.
No LSC team appears in this weeks National Rankings. According to a story on Midwestern’s website a slipup occurred in paying dues to NSCAA and prevented the mens program from being ranked for the first time in years. Evidently that applies to the women’s program as well, as there is no reason the Lady Mustangs should have fallen out of the national rankings. Abilene Christian did receive votes this week.
West Texas fell out due to their tie with St. Mary’s.
Regional Rankings (South Central)
1 Central Missouri
2 St Edwards
3 Truman
4 Abilene Christian
5 Central Oklahoma
6 A&M Commerce
7 NSU
8 Angelo State
9 East Central
10 Washburn
Players of the week : Offensive Mickey Brown Midwestern, Defensive Andrea Choate TWU, Goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth Midwestern
ACU. Lost conference opener to Midwestern in a Sunday match in Abilene. Friday the match ran for 22 minutes until called for lightning and eventually rescheduled. ACU struck first when frosh Andrea Carpenter slipped one in on keeper Mallory Whitworth in the fifth minute. The Mustangs had an answer in the 20th minute when Kelsey Hill challenged ACU’s keeper on a looping ball into the area. In the 72nd MSU scored the winning goal when Mickey Brown’s header rebounded off the crossbar and she touched it in herself. The match was a physical contest with almost as many fouls (19) as shots (25), but only one caution.
This week the Cats travel to Oklahoma with their 0-1 conference record, looking for W’s on the road against ECU and NSU.
Angelo State. Managed to get their Friday match against UIW in and pulled off a 2-1 upset in “wet and sloppy” conditions. ASU netted goal number 1 in the 31st minute and a minute later were awarded a successful PK for the 2-0 halftime lead. The Cardinals scored in the 88th minute to draw within one. Sunday #11 St Edwards visited and managed a 1-0 victory via a 19th minute goal. The Rambelles have to be pleased with their weekends results and will attempt to carry that momentum into home matches against conference foes Central Oklahoma and SWOSU. The Rambelles are currently 1-0 in LSC play.
Central Oklahoma. Notched first conference win over neighbor SWOSU 2-1 in Weatherford. Brittni Walker scored both first half goals for the 2-0 halftime lead. The Bulldogs netted a 75th minute goal to pull within one. The Bronchos travel to Texas with their 1-0 conference mark for matches with Angelo State and Incarnate Word.
ECU. Sunday the Tigers fell 1-3 to Oklahoma City U in a non-conference match. Their conference opener against NSU at home on Tuesday afternoon resulted in a 1-1 2OT draw. NSU scored in the first minute of the match – ECU equaled via a PK in the 15th minute. This weekend ACU visits on Friday and the Tigers trek to Wichita Falls for a match with Midwestern on Sunday. Currently the Tigers stand 0-0-1.
Midwestern. Upheld their dominance over ACU by outlasting the Cats on the road for a 2-1 win. Mallory Whitworth was steady in goal, snuffing all but one of the home sides shots. The Mustangs look to build upon their current 1-0 standing, facing NSU in Tahlequah before returning home to face ECU.
NSU. Against ECU on Tuesday had to settle for a 1-1 draw. The Riverhawks drew first blood but gave up a penalty to knot the score. After the PK the two played 95 minutes of scoreless soccer. Currently NSU is undefeated in conference play at 0-0-1, but face two physical matches this weekend as Midwestern and ACU come to visit.
ENMU. Faced UTPB last Thursday and emerged a 5-3 winner (are we sure that is a soccer score? Eight goals?). Tuesday evening in Canyon faced West Texas and were dispatched 0-2 while being outshot 19-5. The Zia’s stand 0-1 in LSC play, and welcome TWU and A&M Commerce to Portales for matches.
UIW. Dropped their first ever LSC match in a surprise 1-2 loss to Angelo State. Second half of the match was played in a downpour, but Cardinals were already down 0-2 at that point. On Sunday a 3-3 2OT draw against UTPB resulted from a five goal first half (the Cards were up 3-2 at half). UTPB tied things up in the 85th minute, and the two OT periods failed to produce a winner. The Cardinals find themselves 0-1 in LSC play and will be looking for their first LSC win with SWOSU and Central Oklahoma visiting San Antonio.
A&M Commerce. Last Wednesday outlasted TWU in Denton to open with a 1-0 win. Taylor Hunt notched a 26th minute goal that held for the win. A weekend trip to Florida yielded a 0-1 loss to #6 Rollins on Sunday in the first OT period. A scheduled Friday match against Lenoir Rhyne was cancelled due to weather. The Lions take their 1-0 conference mark to face WT A&M and ENMU this weekend.
WT A&M. Handled DBU 2-1 last Thursday and Sunday tied St. Mary’s 2-2 through 2OT periods, while outshooting the Rattlers 27-8. The draw proved expensive as the Buffs fell out of the national rankings. Tuesday the conference opener against ENMU at Canyon produced a 2-0 win. The Buffs stand 1-0 and will face A&M Commerce and TWU this weekend.
TWU. Lost their conference opener to A&M Commerce at home last Wednesday 0-1. Tuesday evening entertained DBU in Denton and earned a 1-0 win. The Pioneers take their 0-1 conference mark and go west looking for wins at ENMU and WT A&M.
SWOSU. Sunday began LSC play against travel partner Central Oklahoma, dropping a 1-2 decision.
The Bulldogs stand 0-1 in conference play and will look for improvement against Incarnate Word and Angelo State.
The LSC always seems to produce interesting results and surprises. This week was no exception with Angelo notching a surprise W over UIW. Even ranked WT stumbled against St Marys to fall out of the national view. ACU was looking to take a step into the top tier of the conference but Midwestern showed poise in their 2-1 road win against the physical Wildcats. What sort of surprises and unusual results will this weekend bring? Stay tuned.
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