Wednesday, September 19, 2018

LSC Scoop Football Power Poll, Volleyball Rankings

South Central Region Volleyball rankings

  1. Tarleton (1) - 5.324
  2. Texas A&M-Commerce (3) - 4.739
  3. Colorado Mines (5) - 3.636
  4. Angelo State (4) - 3.430
  5. Colorado Mesa (6) - 3.024
  6. Dixie State (7) - 2.939
  7. Texas Womans (11) - 2.747
  8. St. Edwards (2) - 2.584
  9. Texas A&M-Kingsville (8) - 1.728
  10. Regis (14) - 1.695
  11. Metro State (12) - 1.490
  12. Arkansas-Fort Smith (10) - 1.291
  13. Lubbock Christian (15) - 1.245
  14. West Texas A&M (9) - 0.214
  15. Texas Permian Basin (NR) - (0.211)



 LSC Scoop Football Power Rankings
 A small move in the top three.  Bottom three are a toss-up.
  1. Midwestern State - tougher than expected game with UTPB, but pulled away in the end.
  2. Tarleton State - another impressive performance.
  3. Texas A&M-Commerce - winning, but not dominating.
  4. Angelo State - nice win, but a big challenge this week.
  5. Texas A&M-Kingsville - this could be the most important game this year.
  6. Eastern New Mexico - played Lions tough, now get to make the long road trip to Kingsville.
  7. UT-Permian Basin - opened some eyes last week, doesn't get any easier this week.
  8. Western New Mexico - rested and ready for the Buffs.
  9. West Texas A&M - no team in LSC "needs' the W this week.




Thursday, September 13, 2018

Week 3 game previews

Volleyball Schedule
Some big matchups between Tarleton State, Angelo State and West Texas A&M
Home games
TAMC - 3-1 TWU, TAMK
UTPB - 3-1 ENMU, MSU, CU
TSU - 3-1 ASU
TWU - TAMK, Dallas Baptist, Ok Baptist
WTAM - TSU, ASU
WNMU - CU, MSU
ENMU - ASU, TSU

Away games
TWU - 1-3 TAMC
ENMU - 1-3 UTPB
ASU - 1-3 TSU, ENMU, WTAM
TAMK - TWU, TAMC
MSU - UTPB, WNMU
TSU - WTAM, ENMU
CU - WNMU, UTPB

Home teams started off strong on Tuesday.


Football Matchups
Midwestern State at UT-Permian Basin
This looks like the mismatch of the week.  The Mustangs are coming off a big 38-17 win over the 2017 national runner-up West Florida Argonauts.  MSU took a 24-17 lead with 9:18 left in the game, then the defense got two turnovers - one on downs, setting up the offense with a short field for a 40 yard TD drive, and then closed out the scoring with a 59 yard interception return, giving the Mustangs a hard fought 38-17 win.  Meanwhile, UTPB started off slowly for the second time in a row, and never could quite get over the hump, falling on the road to Northern Michigan, 22-27.

Layton Rabb is on pace for a monster year.  Despite sitting out the second half in week one, he is averaging 303 yards per game with 8 TDs, 0 Ints and a 199.0 QB rating.  Juwan Johnson (13-190-1), Xavier Land (14-127-2), Anthony Tennison (4-109-2) and Bryce Martinez (4-84-2) give him plenty of quality targets.  Vincent Johnson is averaging 8.8 yards per carry, and Adrian Seales had 96 yards last week after missing the season opener.  Donaven Lloyd and Nicholas Gabriel are productive and ready when called upon.  Sir'Vell Ford leads the defense with 19 tackles and Paul Manus has 2 Ints as well.

The Falcons look like they are an improved squad.  They played Texas Southern pretty tough and almost came away with a long D2 road win.  In both games, UTPB mounted late comebacks, outscoring TSU and NMU 26-10 in the 4th quarters, but could not overcome double digit third quarter deficits (21 point to TSU and 13 to NMU).  Sam Allen has been the better QB, 345 yards, 4 TDs, 0 Ints, but is completing just 47% of his passes.  He's also the second leading rusher (54 yards) and has the only rushing TD.  Ben Galaviz, Kristian Brown and Mitchell Leonard have combined for 19 receptions, 280 yards and 4 TDs.  Marquis Simmons is the leading ground gainer (65.5 yards per game on just 9 carries per game).  John O'Kelley has been a one man wrecking crew on defense - 3rd in the LSC with 20 tackles, and leading with 8.5 TFL and 6 sacks.  He'll need a lot of help this week.


Tale of the tape
Midwestern State - UT Permian Basin
46.5 - Scoring - 19.0
14.5 - Points Allowed - 26.5
182.5 - Rushing Yards - 124
356.5 - Passing Yards - 188
130 - Rushing Yards Allowed - 232.5
212 - Passing Yards Allowed - 176

Layton Rabb is looking like a Harlon Hill candidate, completing 70% of his passes, with 8 TDs and 0 Ints and QB rating of 199.0 - despite sitting out the entire second half in week one.  Look for the Mustang running game to improve on its numbers and for Mr. Touchdown (Vincent Johnson) to find the end zone and the defense to continue to improve.  Mustangs cruise in this one, 49-14.




Tarleton State at West Texas A&M
The Texans were hoping to build off a solid opening week win with a contest against Stephen F. Austin from the FCS Southland Conference.  Mother Nature had other ideas, with the game begin cancelled due to stormy weather.  On one hand, you never want a game cancelled, but it does give the team a week to regroup after a solid opening week win over Delta State.  Ben Holmes had a nice start to the season, 196 yards and 2 TDs despite just 16 pass attempts.  Zimari Manning could not have asked for a better game with 144 yards and 2 receiving TDs on just 3 receptions.  Daniel McCants (145 yards) and D'Anthony Hopkins (67 yards) each had rushing TDs.  Not to be outdone, Jai Edwards and Prince Robinson each had interception returns for TDs.

WT took advantage of playing NAIA Oklahoma Panhandle State and had their biggest scoring out in two years.  Despite playing OPSU last week, the Buffs are still last in the LSC with 295 yards per game.  Despite trying to emphasize the running game more than in the recent past, WT is only averaging 109.5 yds per game and 3.4 per carry.  Mitch Hood at QB has had some struggles, averaging 185 yards per game, a 1-3 TD-Int ratio and 104.3 QB rating.  Duke Carter is averaging 5 yards per carry and 65 per game but only has 26 carries in two weeks.  Defensively, the big surprise has been Tobias Harris.  The true freshman has three interceptions, including a pick six last week.
 
Tale of the tape
Tarleton State - West Texas A&M
44.0 - Scoring - 24.5
13.0 - Points Allowed - 12.0
252 - Rushing Yards - 109.5
196 - Passing Yards - 185.5
73 - Rushing Yards Allowed - 149.5
253 - Passing Yards Allowed - 170.5


The Texans have to overcome some distractions (legal and last week's cancellation), but should have enough firepower to win this one.  Tarleton 28-14.




Texas A&M-Commerce at Eastern New Mexico
Prior to the season, this was a game many had circled as an important one for playoff implications and conference standings.  Some of that luster is gone, with the defending national champion Lions a little slow out of the gate, and the Greyhounds playoff chances almost assuredly already gone. 

Our key to the game will be how well the Lions defend the run.  The trend early this year is ENMU falling behind early in games, and unable or unwilling to implement much passing to try and catch up.  The Lions will try and get more production out of the run game, and with ENMU allowing 245 yards weekly, they stand a good chance.  Neither team has defended the pass especially well, but the advantage this week should be TAMC's due to the ENMU offense. 

Individually, Paul Terry has stepped into the lead back role for ENMU, averaging 115.5 yards per game and 5.5 per carry.  Preston Wheeler is throwing for 241 yards per game, but only has a 4-3 TD-Int ratio and a 121.2 QB rating.  Brucks Saathoff is getting 10 tackles per game, while Michael Onuoha has 6.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks.  Brad Hardin leads ENMU with 9.5 tackles per game and has 2 TFL.
 
 
Tale of the tape
Texas A&M-Commerce - Eastern New Mexico
32.0 - Scoring - 17.5
26.5 - Points Allowed - 32.5
108 - Rushing Yards - 264
263 - Passing Yards - 43
93.5 - Rushing Yards Allowed - 245
238 - Passing Yards Allowed - 238.5

This could be the week for the Lions to have that breakout game (and if not this week, we'll keep saying that until it happens).  Even if they don't break out this week, they should still have enough to overcome a disappointing Greyhound squad.  Texas A&M Commerce 38-21.



Game of the Week
Texas A&M-Kingsville at Angelo State
Angelo makes home debut - Charles Bryce, San Angelo Standard Times
Ignore the numbers from last week's games for these two teams.  The Javelinas mauled NAIA Texas Wesleyan, while the Rams lost to FCS ACU as expected.  Their games on opening week probably give a better indication. 

The Rams had a 471-313 edge in yards gained and a 3-2 turnover advantage, but still needed a last minute TD to pull out a 24-17 win over Western Oregon.  Why was the game so close?  Special teams (3 missed field goals) and not fully capitalizing on the first two turnovers (FG and missed FG after getting INTs).  The Rams seem to have settled on Charlie Rotherham at QB, but Payne Sullins has also played in both games.  Tyrese Nathan is averaging 111 yards per game rushing and Keke Chism is 3rd in the LSC with 75.5 receiving yards per game.  Markus Jones has 7.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks through two weeks.  Grant Aschenbeck leads the league with 23 tackles, and Hunter Kyle has 2 interceptions (both in week one). 

The Javelinas had a slight 364-351 in regulation yardage gained (just 56 rushing) and a 3-2 turnover advantage.  But special teams miscues (missed FG, bad snap on PAT) allowed Texas A&M-Commerce to tie the game with 20 seconds left in the game.  Another miscue on a PAT gave the defending national champions the final one point margin.  Koy Detmer has been a pleasant surprise in the first two weeks.  He is second in the LSC with 245 yards per game, despite sitting out the second half last week, with 5 TDs and a 142.0 QB rating.  He has spread the ball around with Aaron Dilworth (9-118-2) and Ty Chisum (5-82-2 in one game) emerging as productive targets.  Nick Pelrean (66.5 yds/gm) and Jeff Carr (63 yds/gm) have the bulk of production at running back, but Luis Lopez will have a breakout game at some point as well.  Defensively, Caleb Valentine leads the team in TFL with 4.5, but Brandon Jones and Devonte Williams have 4 and 3 respectively.  Williams also has 3 pass breakups and an interception to pace the secondary, which looks much improved early in the season.
 
 
Tale of the tape
Texas A&M-Kingsville - Angelo State
44.0 - Scoring - 24.0
23.5 - Points Allowed - 29.0
194.5 - Rushing Yards - 141
264 - Passing Yards - 230.5
51 - Rushing Yards Allowed - 92
180.5 - Passing Yards Allowed - 323
 
 
Who can limit mistakes, especially on special teams?  Will the weather be a factor?  Those are the two big (related) questions (I know, pretty obvious), and impossible to predict.  What if the game comes down to the kicking game (and it very well could)?  In that case, the edge goes to the Javelinas, where Julio De La Garza is 10/10 on PATs and 2/3 on FGs, while Connor Flanigan is 4/5 on PATs and just 2/5 on FGs.  This game looks very winnable for both teams.  Gonna go against the grain a bit and take the Javelinas, 31-28. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Tarleton linebacker arrested on 2 felony counts

By Sara Vanden Berge, Stephenville Empire Tribune


E.J. Speed, a linebacker for the Tarleton Texans, has been arrested and charged with two counts of organized criminal activity.
Speed, a senior out of North Crowley High School, was taken into custody Aug. 29 on the campus of Tarleton State University, according to Tarleton Police Chief Matt Welch.
Welch said his department was asked by the Deer Park Police Department in Harris County to take Speed into custody on two outstanding warrants.
“He was very compliant,” Welch said of Speed’s demeanor during the arrest.
Speed was transported to the Erath County Jail and released the following day after posting a combined $25,000 bond.
He faces two charges of organized criminal activity - a first and third-degree felony offense. 
Welch said he is unsure about the specifics surrounding the case but said it has to do with a “scam” involving people’s personal identifying information. 
A call to Deer Park PD seeking information about the case has not been returned.
In a short statement to the E-T, Tarleton’s Athletic Director Lonn Reisman said, “We are aware of the situation regarding this student-athlete. We have dealt with the situation internally and will address the issue once the entire process of the legal system plays out.” 
The university declined to say whether Speed will be allowed to continue playing for the Texans. 

Monday, September 10, 2018

LSC Scoop Football Power Poll, Volleyball Rankings, and weekend recap

South Central Region Volleyball rankings
  1.  Tarleton State (2) - 3.197
  2. St. Edwards (5) - 2.658
  3. Texas A&M-Commerce (1) - 2.585
  4. Angelo State (8) - 2.521
  5. Colorado Mines (3) - 2.482
  6. Colorado Mesa (6) - 2.471
  7. Dixie State (9) - 2.019
  8. Texas A&M-Kingsville (10) - 1.829
  9. West Texas A&M (7) - 1.570
  10. Ark-Fort Smith (12) - 1.499
  11. Texas Woman's (4) - 1.458
  12. Metro State (13) - 1.353
  13. Dallas Baptist (14) - 0.733
  14. Regis (11) - 0.486
  15. Lubbock Christian (15) - 0.323

Volleyball ResultsHome
2-0 TAMUK - WNMU, UTPB
0-2 Cameron - WTAM, ENMU
0-2 MSU - ENMU, WTAM
2-0 TSU - TWU, TAMC
2-0 ASU - TAMC, TWU

Away  
1-1 WNMU - TAMK, TAMUI
1-1 UTPB - TAMK, TAMUI
2-0 WTAM - Cameron, MSU
2-0 ENMU - Cameron, MSU
0-2 TAMC - TSU, ASU
0-2 TWU - TSU, ASU



LSC Scoop Football Power Rankings
No changes in the rankings, but that will start changing as soon as this week
  1. Midwestern State - a lot closer than 21 point margin would indicate, tied in 4th quarter
  2. Texas A&M-Commerce - a win is a win, but waiting for statement game
  3. Tarleton State - would have liked to see how Texans fared against FCS squad
  4. Angelo State - dominated 2nd quarter, but outscored 38-0 in 1,3,4
  5. Texas A&M-Kingsville - cannot move up when dominating outmanned NAIA squad
  6. Eastern New Mexico - not as close as 13 point margin, down 31-0 at half
  7. West Texas A&M - see Texas A&M-Kingsville on not moving up
  8. Western New Mexico - respectable first half, trailing just 21-10, not so much in second
  9. UT Permian Basin - never gave up, but couldn't needed stop in fourth

This week's LSC matchups
Midwestern State at UT- Permian Basin
Tarleton State at West Texas A&M
Texas A&M-Commerce at Eastern New Mexico
Texas A&M-Kingsville at Angelo State - Game of the Week


Last weekend's football results (and predictions)
Perfect 8-0 weekend, and 15-1 on the season.
Texas A&M-Commerce 27, William Jewell 17 (63-7)
Northern Michgan 27, UT-Permian Basin 22 (35-21)
Idaho 56, Western New Mexico 10 (35-7)
ACU 41, Angelo State 24 (31-17)
West Texas A&M 42, OPSU 7 (28-10)
Tarleton - SFA cancelled due to weather
Midwestern State 38, West Florida 17 (35-28)
Texas A&M-Kingsville 52, Texas Wesleyan 10 (49-14)
Colorado Mesa 34, ENMU 21 (28-24)

Game Recaps

Top-ranked Lions hold on for 27-17 win at William Jewell
The top-ranked Texas A&M University-Commerce football team got out to an early lead and held on for a 27-17 win over William Jewell College in non-conference action at Greene Stadium on Saturday.
 
The Lions move to 2-0 overall on the season and pick up their 12th consecutive victory, extending the longest winning streak in NCAA Division II. The Cardinals fall to 0-1 on the season.
 
A&M-Commerce will remain on the road for its next contest, returning to Lone Star Conference action at Eastern New Mexico at 7 p.m. MDT on Saturday, September 15...Complete Release
 


No. 10 MSU batters second-ranked Argonauts in second half, 38-17

Fireworks are a rite of halftime entertainment for Midwestern State home games.

None were on display Saturday night at Memorial Stadium., but that was ok. The 10th-ranked Mustangs took care of all of the pyrotechnics early and often in the second half to crush No. 2 West Florida 38-17.

Senior quarterback Layton Rabb got the Mustangs' offense going in the second half going 14-of-17 for 179 yards beginning with a 20-yard completion to Anthony Tennison on a 4th-and-5 at the UWF 21-yard line on the opening drive of the half...Complete Release


Javelina Ground Game Shines in Win over Rams

The Texas A&M-Kingsville football program hit the ground running on Saturday against Texas Wesleyan as the backfield was only 19 combined yards away from have three individual 100-yard rushers in a 52-10 win at Pepsi Field at Javelina Stadium.

The Javelinas (1-1) found the end zone on their opening drive and never looked back against the Rams (0-2) for the first home win of 2018. Senior Nick Pelrean (Houston, Texas) accounted for 108 yards on the ground along with two scores to spearhead the Hog ground game...Complete Release
 


Buffs Force Four Turnovers in 42-7 Win over Oklahoma Panhandle State

West Texas A&M's final season at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium got off to a great start as the Buffs defense forced four turnovers in a 42-7 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State in front of 6,889 fans on Saturday night. The Buffaloes held the Aggies offense to 283 yards as they improved to 1-1 on the season.

After having to punt on their first two possessions of the game, Mitch Hood found a streaking Payton Gonzales on the first play of the third drive for a 61-yard touchdown pass making it 7-0. WT's defense would force another OPSU punt that Tobias Harris returned 72 yards to put the Buffs at the 3-yard line with a little more than a minute left. Hood would take it himself on third-and-goal for his second rushing touchdown of the season...Complete Release
 


Tarleton football game at FCS Stephen F. Austin cancelled due to weather

Tarleton and Stephen F. Austin's first football meeting since 2007 will have to wait until another time as the weather has led to a cancellation of Saturday night's game.
 
Tarleton and Stephen F. Austin were scheduled to kickoff at 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, but weather forced nearly two hours of delays before the announcement was made to end the effort. The game will not be made up.
 
Tarleton is 1-0 on the season and will return to action next weekend with a road trip to Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in Canyon for a Saturday matchup with West Texas A&M to begin Lone Star Conference play at 6 p.m...Complete Release
 


Hounds Unable to Overcome Early Deficit Despite Strong Second Half

The Eastern New Mexico football team was unable to overcome a 31-0 halftime deficit and suffered a 34-21 defeat in their home opener despite a strong second half that saw the Hounds outscore #25 Colorado Mesa by a total of 21-3.

Eastern racked up 186 rushing yards in the second half, but couldn't overcome the strong start from the Mavericks. Running back Paul Terry finished with 145 yards on the ground on 22 carries and a touchdown to lead a Hounds rushing attack that finished the game with 327 yards rushing...Complete Release
 


Rams fall to Wildcats after first-half rally

Angelo State scored 24-unanswered points to take a 24-17 halftime lead over Abilene Christian but couldn't continue that momentum into the second half as the Wildcats earned a 41-24 non-conference win over the Rams on Saturday at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.

The Rams (1-1) and Wildcats (1-1) were playing for the first time since 2012 when ACU went to NCAA Division I FCS play after the two programs had played every year since 1964. Angelo State now leads the all-time series 28-21-1 but will go into next week's home opener with the 1-1 record after the Wildcats scored three touchdowns and kicked a field goal in the second half to thwart the ASU effort...Complete Release
 


Falcons Can't Erase Slow Start in 27-22 Loss at Northern Michigan

UT Permian Basin out-scored Northern Michigan 15-7 over the final 22 minutes Saturday afternoon, but a pair of first half touchdowns helped the Wildcats to a 27-22 victory over UTPB at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Mich.

NMU started with a four-play drive capped by 23 yard rush from Deandre Caldwell for their first touchdown of the game...Complete Release
 


Idaho 56, Western New Mexico 10

Complete Release

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Week 2 Game Previews

Volleyball Schedule
Home
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.

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