LONE STAR CONFERENCE BLOG – by LSCScoop.com
08/05/2008
Go to LSCScoop.com for the most complete collection of Lone Star Conference sports news and commentary.Tarleton QB gets a second chance
Sun Tzu, the famed ancient Chinese warrior, is credited for the wisdom that "opportunities multiply as they are seized." Of course, no one, much less Sun Tzu, had heard of Tarleton State 2,500 years ago, but those words seem true when you consider the opportunities that have multiplied since Scott Grantham took his second chance at football and life.
The next opportunity for the Texans and their standout quarterback is a date with NCAA Division II’s No. 1-ranked Central Washington in a second-round playoff game at 2 p.m. Saturday in Ellensburg, Wash.
All of this almost never was 3 1/2 years ago.
The evening after a summer workout in 2006, Grantham, then a redshirt freshman at New Mexico State, started suffering from severe headaches, so severe that in the middle of that night he was taken to the emergency room.
Tarleton State has a secret weapon
If Saturday’s NCAA Division II second-round playoff game between 12th-ranked Tarleton State and No. 1 Central Washington comes down to a field goal, the Texans are confident in their not-so-secret weapon. Kicker Garrett Lindholm has kicked two field goals of more than 50 yards this season, including a school-record 64-yarder last week as time expired to send the Texans to overtime and ultimately victory against Texas A&M-Kingsville.
The kick is the second-longest in D-II behind Tom Odle of Fort Hays State, who hit one from 67 yards in 1988. That’s an NCAA record, regardless of classification.
“I knew Coach would let me kick it if we got close enough,†Lindholm said. “I actually told the backup kicker to go tell coach I was good from 65 or anything closer.â€
Northwest faces Abilene Christian for 4th time in two years
Despite being separated by conferences and more than 700 miles, there may not be a football team in the country Northwest Missouri State knows better than Abilene Christian. When the Bearcats (10-1) host the Wildcats (9-3) at noon on Saturday, it'll be the fourth time in two years the Division II powerhouses have faced each other.
ACU leads the series 2-1 including the Bearcats' only loss this year. Northwest also lost to ACU in its 2008 season-opener. The Bearcats avenged that loss later that year in the playoffs.
"We know a lot about them. They know a lot about us," Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said.
Wide receiver Jake Soy said he's had plenty of time to get acquainted with Abilene's defensive backfield.
"We've played these guys so many times it feels like another conference game," Soy said. "I know their whole secondary's first and last names. It's like I know them personally."
Game Previews - NCAA Playoffs Week 2
It will be hard to top the opening week of the 2009 NCAA Football playoffs, but Abilene Christian and Tarleton State will give it their best shots.
Last weekend, ACU returned the opening kickoff for a TD, turned two Midwestern State turnovers into 10 points and held off the Mustangs 24-21. The offense gained just 252 yards on the day, but put most of it together on 3 consecutive scoring drives, which was just enough to overcome the Mustangs. The defense harassed Zack Eskridge all day long, sacking him 8 times.
Meanwhile, Tarleton State outscored Texas A&M-Kingsville 57-56 in double overtime to advance to the second round of the playoffs. Garrett Lindholm hit a 64 yard field goal as time expired to tie the game at 46 all. After the teams traded field goals in the first OT, the Texans found themselves down 7 when Fred Winborn scored his 4th TD of the day. On fourth down, needing to pick up 5 yards, Scott Grantham instead took it all the way in, breaking several tackles along the way. The Texans then went for two, and once again it was Grantham, barely squeaking in.
Abilene Christian football player to meet father for first time
Nick Jones used to wonder what his father looked like, how he sounded, what kind of man he was. Mostly he wondered whatever happened to him. He had only his mother's brief, unsatisfying synopsis to go on: His father was deployed overseas before he knew she was pregnant, and she never saw him again.
Bearcats face familiar foe Abilene Christian in playoffs
The Bearcats come off the bye week looking forward to a familiar opponent in Abilene Christian.Abilene beat Midwestern State 24-21 in the first round of the playoffs to advance to play the ’Cats this weekend.
Northwest uses bye to prepare for playoff run
Before playing its final regular-season football game last week, Northwest Missouri already had a NCAA Division II playoff spot and fourth straight MIAA title locked up. Senior cornerback E.J. Hawkins and senior defensive Sean Paddock played anyway despite having injuries that previously sidelined them.
Bearcats get familiar foe for 1st playoff game
Familiarity is breeding excitement — rather than contempt — around Bearcat Stadium this week, as Northwest Missouri State prepares for its fourth meeting with Abilene Christian in two years. Northwest and Abilene kick off their second-round NCAA Division II playoff game at noon Saturday in Maryville with the Wildcats holding a 2-1 edge in the recent series.
'Buffalo' Guerrero still grateful to coaches at Corpus Christi Miller, Texas A&I
He was christened Margarito Guerrero, but his friends know him simply as “Buffalo.†That’s a fitting nickname for a hard-charging defensive tackle who ranks as one of the best players in the history of perennial small-college football power Texas A&M-Kingsville, formerly Texas A&I.
Guerrero earned first-team Little All-America honors as a senior in 1970, when the Javelinas finished 11-1 and won their second consecutive NAIA Division I national championship under legendary coach Gil Steinke. Guerrero was named the most valuable lineman in the NAIA semifinals his junior year, and made the second-team Little All-America squad that season. Now 63 and living in Benavides, Guerrero is one of four Hispanics who have earned All-America honors as Javelinas. The others: Willie Crafts, Jaime Martinez and Roberto Garza, now a starting guard for the Chicago Bears.
Javelinas' season ends in double OT classic - With Video
Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton St. squared in a playoff battle that will be remembered by both sides for years to come, and in the end it was the Javelinas that saw their season come to an end.
Related: Area College Football Roundup: Nov. 16, 2009
Related: State/Southland roundup
Kicked out
With all the twists and juicy turns in Saturday’s first-round NCAA Division II playoff game between Texas A&M-Kingsville and Tarleton State, arguably the most thrilling ballgame to take place at Javelina Stadium, there was a bit of delicious irony.
For all of the dominoes that had to fall for the Javelinas to secure their first spot in the playoffs in five years, there were as many out-of-the ordinary factors that led to their demise to the Texans in double overtime 57-56.
Texans show off resiliency
KINGSVILLE — It would be easy to chalk up Tarleton State’s defining moment on Saturday as a leg and a prayer.
Indeed, a 64-yard field goal to force overtime, courtesy of Garrett Lindholm’s right foot, is an atypical occurrence.
Then again, there were too many season-saving plays late in regulation and overtime to single one out from the Texans’ 57-56, double-overtime victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville in the first round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs at Javelina Stadium.
Perhaps quarterback Scott Grantham, the overtime hero, said it best.
“That’s the most ridiculous game I’ve ever been a part of,†said Grantham, who put forth a gritty effort despite a nagging shoulder injury.
64-yard field goal one for the booksGarrett Lindholm’s 64-yard field goal as regulation ended tied for the third-longest field goal in NCAA history.
The longest Division II field goal is 67 yards, by Fort Hays State’s Tom Odle against Washburn in 1988.
Five kickers have made 67-yard field goals, with all of them kicked off tees. The longest not kicked off a tee was a 65-yarder by Kansas State’s Martin Grammatica against Northern Illinois in 1998.
Ove Johansson of Abilene Christian kicked a 69-yard field goal against East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce) on Oct. 16, 1976, for the longest collegiate field goal.
However, Abilene Christian was not an NCAA-member college at the time.
DII playoffs: ACU wins rematch, advances
A different week and a different outcome.
No. 18 Abilene Christian returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, got 10 points off turnovers in the second half and held off a late rally to knock off No. 7 Midwestern State 24-21 Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at Memorial Stadium.
It was the second straight week the two teams played each other at Memorial, with the Mustangs taking a 15-13 win in the regular-season finale that almost cost former DII No. 1 ACU a trip to the playoffs.
Abilene Christian (9-3) advances to Super Region Four semifinals next week against second-seeded Northwest Missouri State. The Mustangs finish the year at 9-3.
“They drove over 90 yards against our defense and we couldn’t stop them,†MSU coach Bill Maskill said. “We had the one drive in the fourth quarter, but most of the time the quarterback didn’t have enough time to throw the ball.
Gholson: Statistics don't always tell the whole story
Zack Eskridge got hit hard and often Saturday afternoon, but the Midwestern State quarterback shrugged off talking about any soreness or pain he may have felt.
He has a whole year now to get over all that. No practice next week. No game next Saturday.
The final score hurt much, much more.
Abilene Christian’s 24-21 playoff win over MSU ended Eskridge’s and friends’ championship season.
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 11 Superlatives
Some re-shuffling at the top end, but down below things stay the same.
Three finish tied atop Lone Star standings
Talk about parity. Three different teams ended up winning the Lone Star Conference football title, thanks to West Texas A&M’s 49-35 victory over No. 7 Tarleton State on Saturday in Stephenville. As a result, Tarleton, Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville all tied for the LSC title with 7-2 records. All three, along with WT, also shared the LSC South Division title at 4-2 each, while Texas A&M-Commerce went undefeated in the LSC North.
No. 9 Midwestern State denied No. 12 Abilene Christian University, the defending LSC champs, a share of the title with a 15-13 victory on Saturday in Wichita Falls, while No. 17 Kingsville held off Angelo State 35-32 on Saturday in Kingsville. Midwestern State, Kingsville, Tarleton State and ACU all advance to the Division II playoffs, while WT appears headed to the Kanza Bowl, which will be played in Topeka, Kan., on Dec. 5.
Gholson: The sweet taste of victory
They were all here two years ago to witness the Bernard Scott vs. Daniel Polk show. They watched Abilene Christian erase Midwestern State’s 17-point lead that day and win by one stinking point, 42-41. They understand what it’s like to watch ACU players and coaches celebrate making the playoffs on your home turf while at the same time, feeling the emptiness of knowing you’re staying home but deserve better.
“It was a bad feeling,†linebacker Emanuel Bagley said.
“It was an eerie feeling for them to take it down on us in the last two minutes like they did. It takes everything out of you,†defensive end Stephen Turner added.
“I tried to forget about it,†center Lance Calloway said.
But, as hard as they might try, the MSU seniors who were here two years ago could not forget that awful loss. The bad taste has been their mouth for 728 long days. On Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium, they finally spat it out.
Javelinas end 5-year playoff absence
Texas A&M-Kingsville is back in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 2004. As an added bonus, the Javelinas also host a first-round game. The first round of the Super Regional Four playoffs will be rematches of Lone Star Conference ballgames. The 9-2 Javelinas were seeded fourth and will host fifth-seeded Tarleton State (9-2) at noon Saturday. In the other first-round game, No. 6 seed Abilene Christian (8-3) travels to third-seeded Midwestern State. The Mustangs (9-2) defeated ACU 15-13 in last Saturday’s regular-season finale in Wichita Falls.
Top-seeded Central Washington, the nation’s lone undefeated Division II team at 11-0, and No. 2 Northwest Missouri State (10-1) have first-round byes. Gaining a fourth seed and being able to host a first-round game didn’t shock Javelinas coach Bo Atterberry, whose Javelinas shared the overall LSC title with Midwestern and Tarleton.
“Not after the way things unfolded yesterday,†Atterberry said. “I guess from what people were saying and the numbers and all that stuff it came out like it should have based on who lost and strength of schedule and all these things.â€
WT closes slate with a flourish
To say the West Texas A&M Buffaloes finished the regular season on a roll is a bit of an understatement. WT capped off the regular season Saturday night in impressive fashion in Stephenville, knocking off No. 7 Tarleton State, 49-35.
Here's how the Buffs, who started the season 1-5 but finished 6-5, ended up:
-- Five straight wins to close out the regular season, including victories against NCAA Division II playoff teams Tarleton State and Abilene Christian, both on the road.
-- A share of the LSC South Division championship.
-- Averaging 44.8 points in their past five games.
-- Against Tarleton, the Buffs had 536 yards passing, the most against a Texan team.
"I've never won a championship in my life. I came from the locker room crying because I'm so happy," said WT defensive end/linebacker Bryan Braman after collecting two tackles and a blocked punt against TSU. "Most teams that start out 1-5 don't have the courage and the heart to face the adversity that this team did. We pulled together and came together as a team."
"The coaches told us that we could make this a success story, and made it a success story," said Buffs receiver Tyson Williams, who burned the Texans repeatedly over the middle, finishing with eight catches for 148 yards and a touchdown. "We finished strong."
ACU nets sixth seed in playoffs
Mustangs headed to playoffs; will host ACU again
Buffs to find out about bowl today
The West Texas A&M Buffs will find out today if their football season continues. The 2009 Kanza Bowl committee has scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. to announce the two teams for the bowl, one of four NCAA Division II bowl games for teams that do not earn a spot in the D-II playoffs.
Super Regional Four Bracket
1. Central Washington
2. Northwest Missouri
3. Midwestern State
4. Texas A&M-Kingsville
5. Tarleton State
6. Abilene Christian
Round One Matchups
Abilene Christian at Midwestern State
Tarleton State at Texas A&M-Kingsville
LSC Football Recap - Saturday, November 7 Box Scores and Stats
Mustangs sprint early, then hold off Wildcats
WICHITA FALLS — It was déjà vu all over again for the Abilene Christian football team. Two weeks after giving up only 13 points and losing against Tarleton State in Stephenville, the Wildcats gave up only 15 first-quarter points — and lost.
Zack Eskridge threw a 31-yard touchdown pass and Lester Bush ran 2 yards for another as the No. 9 Mustangs jumped to a 15-0 first-quarter lead and then held off No. 12 Abilene Christian University 15-13 in a Lone Star Conference game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
“We just didn’t make enough plays on the offensive side,†ACU coach Chris Thomsen said. “Our defense settled in the last three quarters, shut them out. We obviously just didn’t have enough punch on offense to win the game.â€
The victory likely boosted the Mustangs (9-2 overall, 7-2 LSC) into the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
Mustangs look playoff-bound after 15-13 win over ACU
The Midwestern State Mustangs had been in this position before needing a defensive stop late in the game while nursing a slim lead.
Two times to be exact — and both of them ended in losses.
But the third time was the charm and the Mustangs should be heading back to the NCAA Division II playoffs after a two-year absence.
Javelinas run past Rams
Everything that needed to fall in place for Texas A&M-Kingsville to reach the NCAA Division II playoffs did so on Saturday. All the No. 17 Javelinas had to do was beat Angelo State.
Mission accomplished. With another bruising rushing performance from Fred Winborn and a record-tying effort from Billy Garza, A&M-Kingsville held off the Rams 35-32 at Javelina Stadium. The Javelinas share the Lone Star Conference championship with Tarleton State and Midwestern State at 7-2.
A&M-Kingsville entered the day ranked No. 8 in Super Regional Four. No. 3 Tarleton State, No. 4 Abilene Christian, No. 5 Missouri Western State and No. 6 Central Missouri all lost, leaving the door ajar for the Javelinas to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
Winborn rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 1,072 for the year. He becomes the first Javelinas runner to top the 1,000-yard mark since Larry Williams rushed for 1,570 in 2003.
Closing with a rush: West Texas A&M 49, (7) Tarleton State 35
STEPHENVILLE - West Texas A&M head coach Don Carthel was wary about hugging family, friends and Buffs fans Saturday night - proclaiming he was sticky after a sideline Gatorade shower dumped on him by his team.
Division II postseason tough to figure
The selections for the NCAA Division II football playoffs are two days away. Anyone who has a handle on how things will shake out likely should consider purchasing a lottery ticket. On the surface, the selection process the NCAA selection committee uses to pick the top six postseason entrants in each of the four regions seems fairly cut and dried. But the number-crunching that goes on, plus some intangibles that may or may not work their way into the equation, make the process tedious and nonsensical to some.
“I know there are several different types of criteria that go behind it: strength of schedule, wins and losses,†said Texas A&M-Kingsville coach Bo Atterberry, whose 8-2 Javelinas are ranked eighth in the Super Regional Four. “It just goes down a list, head-to-head and all of those things.â€
“I think it’s pretty straight forward. I haven’t read it for a couple of years. But there’s a pretty good formula to it as far as I’m concerned,†said Angelo State coach Dale Carr, whose 6-4 Rams are ranked 10th in the region and travel to A&M-Kingsville for Saturday’s Lone Star Conference South Division finale. “I don’t know what people complain about. Best I remember, you get X amount of points for a win at home against a winning team, and for a loss at home against a winning team and vice versa,†Carr said. “Yeah, that changes week to week because teams go from whatever, a 5-3 record to a 5-4 record and that changes as the season progresses. Like I said, I think it’s spelled our pretty clearly.â€
Javelinas Notebook Hogs make no excuses for loss at Abilene
The prevailing question following last Saturday’s football meltdown in Abilene was is Abilene Christian that good or was Texas A&M-Kingsville that bad?
The answer, as expected: a little of both. It led to a 47-35 loss that wasn’t as close as the score read thanks to some fourth-quarter window dressing with three A&M-Kingsville touchdowns.
“I think you could say it’s a combination of a lot of things. You can’t make any excuses. The fact of the matter is we went up there and got beat. They were the better team on Saturday,†A&M-Kingsville coach Bo Atterberry said.
The setback came at a most inopportune time for the 8-2 Javelinas, who could have all but cinched a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs and put themselves in a position to grab a piece of their 27th Lone Star Conference title.
Triple Threat
3 senior roommates lead WT's defensive revival: It is no secret the return of running back Keithon Flemming has ignited the West Texas A&M offense - 43.8 points a game and four wins in a row can't be ignored.
There's another reason, though, the Buffs are the hottest team in the Lone Star Conference.
After picking up one sack in their first three games, the Buffs are sacking like a grocery store bagger - 27 in their past seven contests. That dramatic turnaround starts up front with three experienced starting defensive linemen - three seniors who are the heart and soul of a defense that barely resembles what it was in late August.
Defensive ends Eugene Sims and Broderick Marshall and nose tackle Marcus Rowe - three roommates - have one regular-season game left before they go their separate ways. And they have left their mark on the Buffs' program.
Basey is looking to lead MSU's charge to playoffs
Midwestern State defensive tackle Sharod Basey says he likes playing in big games.
And he would like to think he has played pretty big in those games. Saturday afternoon may provide Basey with the biggest game of his career, and the Mustangs will need a big game out of their 6-2, 310-pound senior. That’s because No. 12 Abilene Christian will come calling for a 1 p.m. game against the No. 9 Mustangs at Memorial Stadium with the NCAA Division II playoffs on the line.
“I like games like this,†Basey said. “This is our type of game. It gives us a chance to show what we can do. My best game so far was West Texas. I really played well that game. I like playing in big games.â€
Angelo State struggling with youth
For all of the strides Angelo State has made in Dale Carr’s fifth season as coach, the Rams have stayed pretty much on an even keel. With the exception of their run defense — at 79.1 yards allowed per game, they rank eighth nationally — and sacks (3.9, third), the Rams have straddled the road this season. To a large degree, that explains Angelo State’s 6-4 record that it will take into Saturday night’s regular-season Lone Star Conference South Division finale against 17th-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville.
“We’ve done all right. I guess you’d say pretty consistent. In the big games, we’ve had three losses that were pretty convincing losses,†Carr said. “I think we’re a better team than what we’ve played in those losses. I think a lot of our younger players, our inexperienced players, have really tried to play outside their ability. They made mistakes in those games that they haven’t been doing in other games,†Carr added. “I think where we’re green, that really hurt us in those games, where we could’ve done better. I don’t know whether it would’ve made a difference in the outcome but it certainly would have been closer games.â€
ASU MIDWEEK: Javs could tie for South title with win over Rams
With one weekend left in the NCAA Division II football regular season, only one thing is certain in the Lone Star Conference — Tarleton State will win at least a share of the overall and South Division championship. The Texans secured that spot when they defeated Angelo State 21-14 last Saturday to move to 9-1 overall, 7-1 in the LSC and 4-1 in the South. With a win at home against West Texas A&M on Saturday, TSU will win the titles outright.
That isn’t as easy as it sounds, however. WTAM has won its last four games since getting running back Keithon Flemming back from injury, including a win against then-No. 1 Abilene Christian. If the Texans lose, however, there are three teams that could tie TSU for the South title and three teams that could tie them for the overall championship.
One of those teams is Texas A&M-Kingsville, which hosts Angelo State on Saturday.
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 10 Superlatives
Just one week remaining in the regular season, and Tarleton State is the only team with a shot at an outright conference championship. Should they slip up against the suddenly hot West Texas A&M Buffaloes, there will be at least two and possibly three teams atop the standings. In the divisional races, Texas A&M Commerce has almost sealed the North title. In the South, Tarleton, again, has the only shot at an outright title. As many as four teams could claim a share of the top spot should they fall short.
Related: LSC Weekly Release, AFCA Coaches' Poll and the latest NCAA Regional Rankings
ACU climbs to fourth in Super Regional Four poll
The Abilene Christian University Wildcats jumped three spots to No. 4 in the NCAA Super Regional Four poll, which was released Monday. The Wildcats (8-2) kept their playoff hopes alive with a 47-28 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at Shotwell Stadium, snapping a two-game losing streak. Now, ACU can clinch its fourth-straight trip to the Division II playoffs and perhaps a first-round home game with a victory over Midwestern State on Saturday in Wichita Falls.
Midwestern State (8-2) traded places with ACU, dropping to No. 7, despite a 50-17 victory over Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. So the Mustangs face a must-win game, too. Kingsville (8-2) dropped from No. 5 to No. 8 and will probably have to beat Angelo State on Saturday in Kingsville to get into the playoffs.
Javelinas needing win, help for a playoff spot
With a week remaining in the regular season, Texas A&M-Kingsville is on the outside looking in at the NCAA Division II Super Regional Four playoff picture. The Javelinas dropped three spots to No. 8 in the regional rankings on Monday and will need a win over Angelo State in Saturday’s Lone Star Conference finale and, likely, some help.
A&M-Kingsville’s 47-35 loss at Abilene Christian placed the 8-2 Javelinas two slots from qualifying for the postseason, as only the top six ballclubs advance. The same 10 teams from last week remain in the regional poll, although there were some curious movements.
A&M-Commerce defense steps up in win
A&M-Commerce Sports: DURANT, Okla. — Texas A&M University-Commerce’s defense recorded seven sacks, including one that set up a clinching touchdown in the Lions’ 27-17 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday at Paul Laird Field.
Senior Stephen DeGrate sacked Southeastern Oklahoma quarterback Justin Pitrucha, forcing a fumble that DeGrate returned 55 yards with 1:29 left to seal the victory. A&M-Commerce, now 4-5 for the season, stayed undefeated in Lone Star Conference North Division play at 4-0 while the Savage Storm dropped to 6-4 overall and 3-1 in the LSC North.
The Short List
The West Texas A&M Buffs may not make the Division II football playoffs, but there's an outside shot they could play in a bowl game.
The Lone Star Conference announced in July an agreement with the Kanza Bowl in Topeka, Kan. The game, scheduled for Dec. 5, pits non-playoff teams from the LSC and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. The teams will be picked after the D-II playoff field is set and will be selected by a bowl committee.
Fourth straight win gives Buffs Golden opportunity
West Texas A&M outside receiver Brittan Golden had his best game as a Buff in a 66-23 victory against Northeastern State on Saturday despite one of the most difficult weeks of his life. Golden's grandfather, Cecil, died Thursday of a heart attack.
"He was here all night, sitting right up there watching the whole game," said Golden, a sophomore from Denver City. "The last few days have been heartbreaking. I didn't know what to do. He has always been there and been the man."
Golden had seven catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns against the RiverHawks.
After early lead, Rams fall to No. 7 Tarleton State
Needing a win to stay in the race for the Lone Star Conference championship, the Angelo State University football team gave No. 7 Tarleton State all it could handle on Senior Day at San Angelo Stadium Saturday night. The Texans rallied from an early 7-0 first quarter deficit with 21 unsanswered points to defeat the Rams 21-14.
With the loss, the Rams fell to 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the LSC. The Texans improved to 9-1 and 7-1. TSU moved into sole possession of first place in the conference thanks to Abilene Christian’s victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Rams were eliminated from the title race.
“We shot ourselves in the foot a lot,†ASU head coach Dale Carr said. “We had several opportunites in the first half and early in the second half.â€
ACU offense has monster game against Kingsville
Backed against the wall, facing a must-win game or stay home for the Division II football playoffs, No. 15 Abilene Christian responded Saturday with a big victory. A week after not scoring a touchdown for the first time since 2001 in a 13-6 loss to Tarleton State, the Wildcats found the end zone six times in a 47-35 victory over No. 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville in a Lone Star Conference South Division game at Shotwell Stadium.
Daryl Richardson and Reggie Brown each ran for two touchdowns, and quarterback Mitchell Gale threw for two more as the Wildcats snapped a two-game losing skid to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“We took the approach that we just have a two-game season to get into the playoffs,†said Gale, ACU’s redshirt freshman quarterback. “I mean, our backs are against the wall. What are we going to do? I think we kind of showed our mentality toward that. We just have to keep doing it next week.â€Related: Jaklewicz: Wildcats' offense returns from the dead
Buffaloes pummel RiverHawks
Senior night took a sour turn for Northeastern State as West Texas A&M routed the RiverHawks 66-23 in a Lone Star Conference game at Doc Wadley Stadium on Saturday night. The RiverHawks defense could not contain the West Texas attack as the Buffaloes riddled the NSU secondary for 464 yards and added another 165 on the ground for 629 yards in total offense. The loss drops Northeastern State to 2-8 for the season. The Buffaloes are 5-5.
Related: Buffs blast RiverHawks
Mustangs' defense holds its ground
Eastern New Mexico went into Saturday’s game against the No. 13 Midwestern State Mustangs pretty proud of its “Air Raid†offense that was tops nationally in passing and third nationally in total offense, while scoring almost 36 points a game. Apparently, the sirens weren’t working Saturday night or the Mustangs just ignored the noise.
MSU played a bend-but-don’t-break defense and made the plays when it had to, thrashing the Greyhounds 50-17 at Greyhound Stadium in Blackwater Draw, N.M. It was the eighth straight time MSU beat the the Greyhounds and the third straight time it scored more than 50 points. it was the Greyhounds worst loss of the season as they fall to 2-8 overall and finish 0-6 in the Lone Star Conference South.
MSU crushes Greyhounds, 50-17
A late score to close the first half got momentum shifting Midwestern State’s way Saturday night at Greyhound Stadium. A touchdown on the 13th-ranked Mustangs’ first possession of the second half kept it there and they never looked back. MSU held the NCAA D-II’s No. 3 offense in check for most of the second half and outscored the Greyhounds 33-7 over the final 30 minutes on the way to a 50-17 win over Eastern New Mexico in front of 2,729 fans at Greyhound Stadium.
The win is the eight straight over the Greyhounds for the Mustangs as they improve to 8-2 for the season and 3-2 in the Lone Star Conference South. The Greyhounds are now 2-8 and 0-6. MSU closes out the regular season next Saturday with a 1 p.m. game against Abilene Christian at Memorial Stadium.
“This was one of those games where we had a ton of mistakes,†MSU head coach Bill Maskill said. “But somehow we found a way to overcome them. You have to give Eastern New Mexico credit, they played their hearts out and were really aggressive. We let them hang around because we made enough mistakes for four ballgames.Related: Midwestern routs Hounds in division finale
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 9 Superlatives
With #1 ACU losing for the second week in a row, every team in the top 6 moves around.
His days are filled with good works
A typical day for Jake Rowe goes something like this:
Up at 8 a.m. Reads from the Bible. But only if he really gets up at 8. Lazarus rising from the dead had nothing on a college student rising before noon. From 9 til noon, classes at Tarleton State, where Rowe is a junior majoring in history and contemplating a career in the ministry. Noon to 2, works out or watches film. Lunch, too. Maybe a little face time with his girlfriend, if he can work her in. Maybe not, if she reads this. At 3, football practice.
After dinner, the schedule depends on what day it is. On Tuesdays nights, Rowe attends a ministry for college athletes. Wednesdays, it's a smaller ministry tailored for a few teammates. Thursdays, it's a whopper, 250 to 300 kids of all types hanging out in a renovated airplane hangar, listening to Christian bands and speakers. From 10 until midnight or 1 a.m. most nights, he studies.
On Saturdays, Rowe is a 6-3, 230-pound defensive end for the Texans, contenders in the Lone Star Conference. Sundays he spends at Rocky Point Baptist Church in Stephenville.
Monday and Friday nights apparently are up for review. Anything else, Jake?
Hottest brand going?
West Texas A&M head football coach Don Carthel on Saturday night proclaimed his Buffs as the "hottest team" in the Lone Star Conference. It would be difficult to argue with that. The Buffs have won three in a row - only Tarleton State can equal that run - and it isn't like the Buffs have been playing cupcakes.
"I'm really proud of these guys. They have overcome so much adversity and they keep working and keep plugging," Carthel said. "It is a tribute to them and their work ethic to see them get some satisfaction out of this season." Related: WT ASU Slideshow
Javs' Winborn sets record in win over ENMU (with video)
KINGSVILLE, TX--It was a homecoming for the ages Saturday night at Javelina Stadium, as the Javs' Fred "Hollywood" Winborn broke legendary running back Johnny Bailey's single rushing mark in A&M-Kingsville's 38-31 win over Eastern New Mexico.
LSC picture coming into focus, but big games still left to play
Four teams began Saturday tied for the overall lead in the Lone Star Conference football race. Now, there are only two — Tarleton State University and Texas A&M-Kingsville — with two games left in the regular season.
No. 11 Tarleton State beat No. 9 Abilene Christian University 13-6 in Stephenville to knock the defending LSC champion Wildcats out of first place, and No. 14 Kingsville held off Eastern New Mexico 38-31 to remain at the top with the Texans. ngelo State, the other team that began the day tied for the LSC lead, was hammered 43-15 by West Texas A&M in Canyon.
Texans topple Wildcats
Two weeks ago, the Abilene Christian University football team was undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation. Now, the Wildcats’ playoff hopes are in jeopardy.
Scott Grantham threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jahmeel Hobson with 4:32 remaining Saturday to lift No. 11 Tarleton State over No. 9 ACU 13-6 in a Lone Star Conference game at Tarleton State Memorial Stadium.
Devin Guinn also returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Tarleton rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit to hand the Wildcats their second consecutive loss.
“It’s tough, because I don’t think we executed very well,†ACU coach Chris Thomsen said. “But Tarleton did a great job — a great job on their part.â€
Buffs sack ASU
Surging WT rolls up 557 yards in 43-15 rout
The only problem with West Texas A&M's win over Angelo State on Saturday night? The Buffs regret there are only two games left in the regular season.
WT, playing arguably its best football all season, continued its late season surge, knocking off Angelo State, 43-15, in front of 7,197 fans in the home finale at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
Buffs blow past Rams
CANYON — A pair of Rams set new school records, but their efforts weren’t enough as the Angelo State University football team fell to West Texas A&M 43-15 Saturday at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
Josh Neiswander completed 22 passes to give him a single-season school-record 190 completions this season and receiver V’Keon Lacey had six receptions to give him a single-season school-record 58 catches on the year.
But the Rams’ LSC title hopes and NCAA Division II playoff aspirations took a serious blow as the Buffs took advantage of good field position on several occasions and held the ASU offense in check for most of the game.
Eskridge on target again as Mustangs win 43-16
By last week’s standards Saturday night was an off night for Midwestern State quarterback Zack Eskridge he threw four incomplete passes and an interception.
But by any other standards it was well worthy of the highest rated quarterback in NCAA Division II.
Eskridge completed 15-of-20 passes for 339 yards and three scores as the Mustangs dominated the Central Oklahoma Bronchos 43-16 in front of a homecoming crowd of 7,127 at Memorial Stadium.
RB Winborn breaks Bailey's rushing record in Javs win
One of the most hallowed records in Texas A&M-Kingsville history fell Saturday night at Javelina Stadium. Just as important, the 14th-ranked Javelinas found a way to slow the offensive juggernaut that has become Eastern New Mexico just enough and keep their postseason aspirations simmering.
Fred Winborn cracked Johnny Bailey’s 22-year-old single-game rushing record with a 263-yard, three-touchdown performance and the Javelinas held off the pass-crazed Greyhounds 38-31.
ENMU falls short at Kingsville
Eastern New Mexico University has still never won at Texas A&M-Kingsville, but the Greyhounds are certainly getting closer.
Junior running back Fred Winborn rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns, but the Javelinas had to hold on at the end Saturday night to beat the Greyhounds 38-31 in a Lone Star Conference South Division game.
Coaching is way of life for both Thomsens
Abilene Christian University can thank LeAnn Thomsen for her husband’s recruiting prowess. After all, he honed those skills trying to convince her to marry him 17 years ago.
It seems it was a difficult sell.
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 8 Superlatives
Upsets and closer than expected games shake things up this week.
LSC Division lead now in a four-way tie
A week ago, it seemed so simple. No. 1 Abilene Christian University and No. 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville were undefeated and seemed headed for an Oct. 31 showdown for the Lone Star Conference title in Abilene. But a funny thing happened along the way — both stumbled Saturday, creating a four-way tie for the overall LSC lead.
West Texas A&M scored two touchdowns in the final 7:49 to take down the defending LSC champion ACU Wildcats, 32-21, at Shotwell Stadium in an afternoon game. That night, No. 22 Midwestern State walloped Kingsville 38-7 in Wichita Falls.
The losses, coupled with victories by No. 13 Tarleton State and unranked Angelo State, dropped the Wildcats and Javelinas into a tie with the Texans and Rams with three weeks left in the regular season. Midwestern State is a game back.
Mustangs follow formula for success
It may have been an upset for No. 22 Midwestern State to beat previously unbeaten No. 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville 38-7 Saturday night, but for the Mustangs it was just following a tried-and-true formula for victory.
In all six games the Mustangs (6-2, 2-2) have won this season, the defense has come up with at least two turnovers. And in five of the six wins, the special teams have contributed at least one blocked kick. However, in the losses to Angelo State and Tarleton State, the Mustangs didn’t get a turnover nor were they able to block a kick.
“I told the team before the game that how well we could get turnovers, not turn it over ourselves and not give up big plays would be the difference,†MSU head coach Bill Maskill said. “We gave up the one long pass play (38 yards) on their scoring drive and I think they had one long run (23 yards). When our defense doesn’t give up big plays — like they didn’t the first few weeks of the season — we can win.
What a difference defensively
West Texas A&M's historic 32-21 football victory against Abilene Christian on Saturday - the first time the Buffs have defeated the nation's No. 1 team - was quite different from the last meeting between the Lone Star Conference rivals.
Apples and oranges come to mind. Night and day. Black and white.
When the Buffs and Wildcats met in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs on Nov. 22, the teams combined to break more than 50 NCAA and school records in ACU's 93-68 win. The loss was hardly a proud moment for the Buffs, primarily on defense.
A&M-Commerce rallies past ECU
ADA – East Central squandered a 14-point advantage and saw Texas A&M-Commerce rally with 17 unanswered points and dropped a 31-28 Lone Star Conference North football decision to the Lions Saturday afternoon at Norris Field.
The Tigers, who fell to 0-8 overall and 0-2 in the LSC North, took a 28-14 advantage when quarterback Josh Phillips connected with Zack Patteson for the second of his two touchdown receptions on the day with 8:17 to go in the third quarter.
TLU ripped 53-18 by Incarnate Word
In the first football meeting between old Heart of Texas Conference rivals, Incarnate Word opened a 32-0 lead over Texas Lutheran at the half and cruised to a 53-18 win Saturday over the Bulldogs.
At Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium on the UIW campus, the NCAA Division II independent Cardinals scored on their first two offensive possessions and established dominance over the Bulldogs, a member of the NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference.
LSC Football Recap - Saturday, October 17
Recaps courtesy of LSC SID's
Mustangs roll past seventh-ranked Javelinas
Zack Eskridge was almost perfect Saturday night at Memorial Stadium for the Midwestern State Mustangs. As a result, the seventh-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas are no longer perfect.
The Mustangs’ quarterback completed his first 18 passes, threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as No. 22 Midwestern State knocked off the previously undefeated Javelinas 38-7. MSU is now 6-2 for the season and 2-2 in the Lone Star Conference South, while the Javelinas fall to 7-1 and 3-1.
Buffs upset No. 1 Wildcats with second-half rally
Abilene Christian’s stay at the top didn’t last very long.
Keithon Flemming — the guy wearing No. 1 — scored four touchdowns, including two in the final 7:49 of the game — to lift the West Texas A&M Buffaloes to a 32-21 victory over the unbeaten and No. 1-ranked ACU Wildcats in a Lone Star Conference game Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
Flemming just returned to the Buffs’ lineup a week earlier after dislocating an elbow in a scrimmage before the season opener and missing six games. The 6-foot, 210-pound senior running back ran for touchdowns of 1 and 4 yards, and he also caught touchdown passes of 8 and 6 yards.
Serious stunner: West Texas A&M 32, Abilene Christian 21
Buffs pull off upset of top-ranked Wildcats
ABILENE - West Texas A&M entered Shotwell Stadium on Saturday against an old tormentor that was ranked No. 1 in Division II.
But by the time WT was through with Abilene Christian University, the Buffs left the stadium with one of their biggest victories.
Appropriately, in his second game back from an elbow injury, Keithon Flemming, listed first numerically on WT's roster, led the way. Evidence of how Flemming can transform an offense came from his scoring all four touchdowns for the Buffs, two running and two receiving, to lead WT to a 32-21 shocker over Abilene Christian in a Lone Star Conference contest.
Rams clinch winning season over SOSU
The Angelo State University football team defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State 42-30 Saturday in Durant, Okla., clinching its first winning season since 2005 and staying in the chase for the Lone Star Conference championship and an NCAA Division II playoff berth.
ASU improved to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in the LSC. SOSU fell to 5-3 and 3-3.
Calvin Fance had five of ASU’s seven sacks on the day and quarterback Josh Neiswander passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams defeated the Savage Storm for just the second time in the six-game history between the two teams.
Cooks juggles football, life; dislodges ballcarriers
These days, Dondi Cooks is a busy man and doing the best he can while juggling several roles. With an 18-month-old daughter, Savannah Lee Champion Cooks, to support he has worked at part-time jobs ranging from the cafeteria at Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Student Union Building to the university’s physical plant to his current stint in the office of admissions. He also has had time to play a little football, and last weekend was his banner performance for the Javelinas.
Cooks forced fumbles by Lions running back Marcus Graham on successive fourth-quarter possessions by Texas A&M-Commerce, and each led to an A&M-Kingsville touchdown. That helped rally the Javelinas, who preserved their perfect season in a wild 35-34 victory over the Lions.
“When we came to the sidelines we were down two touchdowns, coach said it’s a two-possession game. We’ve got to get stops, we’ve got to get strips,†said Cooks, a 6-foot-2, 288-pound junior defensive tackle. “As a team, of course, we always strive to get the ball. I saw the chance, the opportunity to seize it so I went for it. Honestly I went for the sack. I saw the ball and stuck my hand in there and we were very fortunate we got the fumble,†Cooks said of the first force, in which he and Graham arrived nearly simultaneously at the handoff from Commerce quarterback Adam Farkes. “The other one the guy just basically just let it land in my hand. We practice strips on the practice field every day.â€
Javelinas notes: Garza's 4th-quarter cool key
The fact that a great deal of the success Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team has experienced is attributable to senior quarterback Billy Garza is indisputable. While his ascent on the career school record charts continues, what is more intriguing is how the Brownsville native has asserted himself late in ballgames. Last week was no exception, when he directed three fourth-quarter touchdown drives — the final two drives came within the final 11 minutes — to rally the seventh-ranked Javelinas past Texas A&M-Commerce 35-34.
“One of the things we talked about Billy was him being a cool customer all the time,†A&M-Kingsville coach Bo Atterberry said. “He proved it because those are the times when you find out a lot about guys and how they’re going to respond in pressure situations and he’s handled it the way he acts all the time.â€
In the fourth quarter, Garza was 9 of 10 for 89 yards with TD passes to Larod Roberson and the eventual game-winner to Damian Couthren with 2:45 remaining. That capped a 31-for-42 day for 308 yards, a school record for completions. But during the final 15 minutes in seven games this season, Garza is a sparkling 31 of 37 for 359 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. That translates into a 200.96 quarterback rating.
“I hadn’t really thought about it too much. I’ve been trying to be as consistent as I possibly can,†Garza said of his fourth-quarter heroics. “It’s been more so in the fourth quarter but I think what it boils down to is by the time the fourth quarter comes around we more or less have an idea knowing what we want to do. We feel a little more comfortable in the game. So it’s just a combination of all those things.â€
Tarleton State DE honored for his service off the gridiron One can measure Tarleton State backup defensive end Jacob Rowe’s deeds on the field by his number of tackles, sacks and hurries and even fumbles recovered. What’s most impressive are what you don’t necessarily see. There is no stat for lives touched.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound redshirt junior was recently recognized for the impact he makes on his community by being selected to the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team. Rowe’s altruistic pursuits include — but are hardly limited to — handing out meals to the elderly and disabled; he visits retirement homes in Stephenville, and he has also participated in Disciple Now, an endeavor that pairs a young person with a sponsor for a weekend of Bible study and community service projects.
Rowe’s work is inspired.
"I have Jesus Christ in me," Rowe said. "He walked this earth and told us to love people and that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s my sole motivation."
LSC Scoop Game Previews Week 8
Slipped a bit, going 5-2 on the week. For the season, we are 43-12 with our picks. What is going on this coming week?
New LSC Scoopcast, Lion Scoop and A&M-Commerce Pre-Game Show podcasts now available.
THIS WEEK: Game Recaps, Game Previews, Guest Picker "Angelo Fan" joins the Scoopcast, Brock gets bombarded with prank emails during this week's "Mail Call", and Blake discusses "Man-Crush" rules and Oak Ridge Boys talk.
MSU quarterback Eskridge produces big numbers, if not ratings
Midwestern State quarterback Zack Eskridge is the first to admit that Saturday afternoon’s Texas-Oklahoma game will have a bigger draw than the contest between Texas A&M-Kingsville and the Mustangs later that night at Memorial Stadium. But he might not be as quick to say the signal callers will be better in that game.
After all, he does lead NCAA Division II in passing efficiency and has thrown for more touchdowns and yards than Texas’ Colt McCoy, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford or TAMUK’s Billy Garza.
“I think there will be more eyes on that game,†Eskridge said with a laugh. “But I think ours will be worth watching. I got to meet both those guys this summer at the Manning camp (Manning Passing Academy) where I got a job as an assistant coach. They were great guys to hang around with — as were Peyton and Eli — and I learned a lot.â€
Midwestern State looks to take out frustrations on Javelinas
In a span of three weeks, the fortunes have been reversed for Midwestern State’s football team. Winners of their first four ballgames, the Mustangs have dropped two of their last three, both in frustrating, last-second fashion, falling from the NCAA Division II Super Region Four rankings. Unlike seventh-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville, which travels to MSU for Saturday night’s Lone Star Conference South Division game with the No. 5 spot in the region in tow, the 5-2 Mustangs are in a precarious position with regard to a potential playoff bid.
Yet Bill Maskill, the school’s all-time leader in coaching wins in his ninth season in Wichita Falls, isn’t dwelling much on any postseason implications riding on the game against the 7-0 Javelinas.
“I think that we can’t worry about the big picture down the road. We’ve got to worry about us and this game. Whatever happens down the road, we’re not in the position Kingsville’s in,†said Maskill, who is 57-26 at MSU and has guided the team to two playoff appearances. “This is a great opportunity for us to play a team of their caliber on our home field. What could happen we don’t talk about. This game is the next game on the schedule and it happens to be Kingsville,†he said. “It’s the most significant game because it’s this week. That’s kind of how we approach every game.â€
No. 13 Tarleton travels to face Harp-less Hounds
A key figure will be missing from the Eastern New Mexico offense when No. 13 Tarleton State visits the Greyhounds in Lone Star Conference South Division play on Saturday.
Jaklewicz: ACU can't hide with No. 1 bull's eye on back
As a homecoming treat for its fans, Abilene Christian will be in different jerseys. Not a throwback, like all the NFL teams. No, new ones. Stylish white with purple and black trim, and a big red bull’s eye on the back. Each player’s number? 1.
This week, ACU advanced to No. 1 in NCAA Division II for the time. Just in time for the West Texas A&M game. Probably never crossed WT coach Don Carthel’s mind to tell his Buffaloes in practice that they will be facing No. 1 for the second time this season.
“I’ll stay mum on that,†said Wildcats coach Chris Thomsen, who may feel as if he’s entering a long-running Target ad the next four weeks. If ACU wasn’t between the crosshairs before, well, now they are.
Abbreviated season
Here's how it's gone for West Texas A&M running back Keithon Flemming this season: He saw his first action of the year Saturday after missing WT's first six games with a painful left elbow that was dislocated in the Buffs' final preseason scrimmage.
The elbow, wrapped in a pad/brace, wasn't a problem as Flemming piled up 101 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in WT's 34-24 Wagon Wheel win against Eastern New Mexico. However, in the fourth quarter, Flemming suffered a concussion. He remembers little about the game, the touchdowns or even answering postgame questions at the media tent at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
"I guess I was a little out of it," Flemming said.
LSC rankings
(from the Abilene Reporter News)
1. ACU (7-0, 5-0 LSC) — The offense took a big step in putting up 38 points against a good Angelo State team on the road. Now the Wildcats face their big rival of late, West Texas A&M, and the Buffs have nothing to lose against the No. 1 team in the nation.
2. Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-0, 5-0) — The Porkers escaped Commerce with a 35-34 victory by after scoring 21 fourth-quarter points for the come-from-behind win. The Hoggies get another big test this week at Midwestern — a team that desperately needs a victory to keep its playoff hopes alive.
3. Tarleton State (6-1, 4-1) — Wow, Garrett Lindholm booted two field goals in the final 12 seconds, including the game-winner — a 55-yarder as time expired — to knock off Midwestern, 31-28. The Texans, who take on ACU on Oct. 24, are hanging in the playoff race — and the LSC title hunt, too.
Did you know that one of the top teams in Division II has a Hispanic QB?
Gather ’round, Hispanic football fans. Les tengo dos preguntas.
What is the name of the Hispanic who is starting at quarterback for one of the top NCAA Division II teams in the country, and what university does he play for?
If you know the answers, give yourself a pat on the back for being a true college football fan, not just someone who follows the so-called big-time schools.
If you don’t have a clue about las respuestas, you need to venture out to a small-college game soon. You don’t know what you’re missing.
Give up?
Rams ready for storm
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Lone Star Conference North Division has a combined record of 10-32. Five of those 10 wins belong to Southeastern Oklahoma. The Savage Storm lead the division, along with Texas A&M-Commerce.
This week the Savage Storm face an Angelo State team with the same record (5-2). SOSU can move closer to a showdown with the Lions for the division title with a victory — and hand the Rams their second consecutive loss. SOSU comes into the game off a big homecoming victory against Central Oklahoma. ASU suffered its first LSC loss of the season last week against No. 1 Abilene Christian.
TLU football relishes its shot at UIW
Texas Lutheran linebacker Jack Moses is not trying to sound vindictive when he says he and a number of the Bulldogs hold some animosity toward the Incarnate Word Cardinals. It's just that going against the Cardinals represents a unique opportunity for Moses and anyone else from San Antonio on the TLU roster. It's a chance for the non-scholarship players from nearby TLU in Seguin to beat a startup scholarship program.
“For some of us San Antonio guys, there's kind of some animosity toward them,†said Moses, a Churchill graduate. “Not anything bad. ... It's just like we're kind of trying to prove something.â€
Just for kicks
Game-winning field goals of 50 yards or longer are rare even in the NFL. In NCAA Division II, they are almost unheard of. Garrett Lindholm is not your typical D2 kicker.
That’s why Tarleton State head coach Sam McElroy never hesitated to send his senior kicker into a game the No. 15 Texans needed badly to win with the score deadlocked at 28 and three seconds on the clock.
“We knew we were going to kick the field goal. There was no question,†McElroy said. “He kicks those all the time in practice. What makes it so much different is handling the pressure of trying to win a big game, but that’s what makes Garrett so special. As soon as I saw the trajectory of it and knew it was headed between the pipes there wasn’t any doubt he made it.â€
Lindholm nailed the kick right through the very top of the Tarleton Memorial Stadium uprights, shocking the almost 5,000 fans in attendance and lifting Tarleton to a 31-28 win against No. 18 Midwestern State.
But, like his coach, Lindholm wasn’t shocked at all.
“I was already warm because I had just kicked off after the 36-yard field goal (which tied the game). Right when (the 55-yarder) cleared the line and I knew it wasn’t going to get blocked I knew I made it,†Lindholm said. “It felt like a kickoff. I just hit it as hard as I could.â€
ACU climbs poll, makes history
When top-ranked Grand Valley State went down to defeat Saturday, 27-24 at the hands of unranked Hillsdale (Mich.), it started a chain reaction that would eventually create a little bit of history. That loss, accompanied by Abilene Christian’s win over Angelo State, helped the Wildcats ascend to the No. 1 spot in the AFCA Coaches Poll for the first time in school history.
The Wildcats got 23 of 25 first-place votes with No. 2 North Alabama taking the other two votes for the top spot. It also marked the first time a Lone Star Conference team has been on top of the AFCA poll.
Central Oklahoma was atop the NCAA Division II poll for the last three weeks of the regular season in 1998, while Texas A&M-Kingsville held the spot for two weeks at the end of the 1996 regular season. The AFCA poll didn’t begin until 2000.
Abilene Christian tops D-II football poll
For the first time since the school made the switch from NAIA to NCAA Division II, Abilene Christian University is home to the top-ranked football team in the nation.
The Wildcats (7-0) made the jump from No. 2 to top spot in this week’s American Football Coaches Association poll, overtaking preseason No. 1 Grand Valley State, which was upset last week by unranked Hillsdale (Mich.) 27-24.
UIW receivers to return Incarnate Word will get wide receivers Todd Walker and Mike Woods back for Saturday’s game against Texas Lutheran, coach Mike Santiago said.
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 7 Superlatives
Tarleton State defense ready for its toughest opponent
Whether thwarting initial attacks or counter-attacks, Tarleton State coach Sam McElroy is confident his defense can turn back talented Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday.
But he knows winning at the Javelinas’ place at 7 p.m. won’t happen by just talking about it. And he also knows that his defense, no matter how well it plays, will need help in the Lone Star Conference South Division matchup between nationally ranked teams.
Tarleton State is No. 11 in both the American Football Coaches Association and D2football.com rankings. Kingsville is No. 9 in AFCA and 7 in the other. "You’re always pleased if you can win your first five," said McElroy, whose Texans have started 5-0 for the third consecutive season. "We haven’t faced anybody that is nearly as talented as Kingsville. We’re going to have to have our best performance of the season."
Injuries force backups to step up for Javs
KINGSVILLE — Football coaches are notorious for preaching — ad nauseum, in some instances — the axiom of the team concept. Whether it is “the whole is greater than the sum of its part†or “there’s no ‘I’ in team†spiel or some other derivative, field bosses spend years trying to drum the message into their players. The bitter reality for those forced to listen to the rhetoric is that it cannot be disputed. Those followers of Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team got a crash course on that idea last weekend in Canyon.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team play a whole game with 11 guys on offense and 11 guys on defense and nobody ever comes out, have you?†third-year Javelinas coach Bo Atterberry queried. “So that’s just the way it goes, at least with a championship team, for sure, a team that’s productive throughout the course of an entire season.â€
The ninth-ranked Javelinas were forced to call upon non-starters when injuries bagged a few starters during the course of the 23-17 overtime victory over West Texas A&M, a win that snapped a four-game losing streak against the Buffaloes. To be sure, it wasn’t as if those players called upon never had stepped on the field before. Yet it underscored Atterberry’s words since Day 1.
Humility goeth before the rise of Javelina QB Billy Garza
KINGSVILLE — There is a special buzz of Javelina spirit in the air around the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville these days. With a football team that is 5-0 on the season it’s not surprising. A strong start to the season, all the traditions that go with college football — tailgating, pep rallies, and games — have given a boost to school spirit.
The Javelinas, who are at home this weekend as they take on 5-0 Tarleton State, have revived a sense of school pride in a Javelina football tradition that dates back more than 80 years.
At the helm of this year’s team is quarterback Billy Garza — a name not unfamiliar to South Texas sports aficionados. Garza is a unique blend of athleticism and humility and is fast becoming a crowd favorite at Javelina Stadium, where he is on pace to set several university season and career records.
Javelinas Prepare For Game Against Tarleton State (with video)
KINGSVILLE - The 7th ranked Javelinas football team will welcome in rival Tarleton State for a battle of the unbeatens on Saturday night. The Texans have rolled through their first four games winning by an average margin of 31 points a ball game.
The Hogs, however, have faced a bit stiffer competition as this will be their third outing against a ranked opponent. The last time these two squared the Javs upset Tarleton 27 to 16 in Stephenville, rallying to score 13 unanswered points. It was a gritty win for the Javelinas and one they believe the Texans are still angry about.
"They are coming and I hope they are coming because football, it's a gift, and not everybody gets this," defensive lineman Mike Talamentez said.
Javelinas sports notes: 10.02.09
KINGSVILLE — Last Saturday’s 23-17 overtime victory by Texas A&M-Kingsville at West Texas A&M put the ninth-ranked Javelinas in some elite company. Of more import, though, may be the means to that end and how the 5-0 and ninth-ranked Javelinas can use that to continue their trek toward a Lone Star Conference championship.
On the 50th anniversary of the dedication of Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in Canyon, the Buffaloes lost for only the seventh time in 30 games at their home field since coach Don Carthel took over in 2005. The Javelinas’ victory was only the fifth by a Lone Star Conference opponent in 22 games and fourth in 15 games against an LSC South Division foe. In addition, the loss dropped WT’s home record to 8-5 against ranked opponents.
“I know that Kingsville did a very difficult thing traveling to Canyon and beating West Texas out there. That hadn’t happened very often. Nobody’s had very much success out there,†said Tarleton State coach Sam McElroy, whose 11th-ranked Texans travel to Javelina Saturday for Saturday’s LSC South game. “They got what I think is a key road win. So I know their confidence level is extremely high. I know they’re looking forward to getting back home.â€
NSU looks to improve standing in LSC North
After winning their first Lone Star Conference contest in over a year last Saturday against East Central, the Northeastern State football team comes into this week’s game at Texas A&M-Commerce with a little more confidence.
“This is probably the toughest game left on our schedule,†said Riverhawks coach Kenny Evans. “Commerce is a well-coached team.â€
The game is also significant because the RiverHawks currently sit in a tie for first in the LSC-North Division at 1-0 and with a road victory, they would put themselves in good position going forward.
“The guys are excited about the opportunity and where we’re at,†said Evans.
One thing that could work against Northeastern State is injuries as there are several players on the offense that will miss Saturday’s game. The biggest name is at quarterback where junior Woody Wilson will miss with a shoulder injury.
UIW learns life on the road
Diego McClain doesn't anticipate much preventing him from getting some quality sleep on Incarnate Word's 11-hour bus ride to Oklahoma this morning. With a luxury bus and a pair of seats all to himself, the defensive end will assume the position he always does on these lengthy road trips. He'll spread across the seats with his legs dangling into the aisle, and let his mind drift away.
“The trips are actually comfortable,†McClain said with a smile.But he might be in the minority in that regard as UIW (1-3) travels to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State (1-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Goodwell, Okla. It will be the Cardinals' third road trip this season — and their third long one. Previous trips to Arkansas Tech and Langston State, both losses, were about 91/2 and nine hours, respectively.
LSC Scoop Game Previews - Week 6
Almost perfect (thanks for screwing things up Commerce). Anyway 6-1, which brings the season tally up to 32-9. What can we expect to see this week?
Week 6 LSC Scoop Podcast is Available!
THIS WEEK'S LSC SCOOPCAST: Game Recaps, Game Previews, Guest Picker "Kmill" joins the Scoopcast, Blake releases his grip on Portales, NM only to go after Ada, OK, and find out about Brock's muddy Field Goal.
Rookies to the rescue
When West Texas A&M head coach Don Carthel visited the home of Kyle Voss in Belton last year on a recruiting trip, he told the then-high school senior it was possible he would be redshirted. Voss responded by pounding his fist on a table, proclaiming that he would prove his ability to start as a freshman at WT.
It's a good thing the Buffs have plenty of youngsters with that type of attitude because they have needed every one of them. Racked by injuries - four of WT's top seven offensive linemen and at least four of the team's top seven linebackers have gone down - the Buffs have been forced to get younger.
Hill brothers exude family pride
Last Saturday should have been a red-letter day in the Hill household. Unfortunately, a herd of Rams and a flock of Ducks messed everything up. So, Micah Hill, a senior cornerback at Midwestern State, and Josh Hill, a red-shirt freshman cornerback at California, will have to try to set things straight this week.
Family pride is at stake.
“I told him: if we lose, you aren’t supposed to do the same thing,†said Micah Hill, who had a career-high nine tackles and broke up a pass as the Mustangs fell to Angelo State and dropped to No. 23 in the Division II poll. “At least one of our teams needs to win. I probably played my best game and we lost. I’d rather not have any stats and have the team win.â€
ASU MIDWEEK: Greyhounds' Harp playing a sweet tune this season
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Four Lone Star Conference South Division football teams are ranked in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll this week. Another team is just outside the Top 25, receiving votes in the poll. None of those five teams is the one team in the division that is leading the nation in total offense and is second in the country in scoring offense.
Not Abilene Christian, which is No. 2 in the country and is averaging 403.8 yards and 34.8 points per game. Not No. 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville, which is averaging 471.1 yards and 33.4 points per game. Not even No. 11 Tarleton State, which is averaging 390.2 yards and 38.6 points per game.
The best offense in the country belongs to Eastern New Mexico, which brings a 2-3 overall record into its homecoming game against Angelo State on Saturday.
Up to speed
PORTALES — J.J. Harp fell in love with the quarterback position when he was just a little kid in Texas. Lately, it’s looking like the feeling is mutual. The Eastern New Mexico University sophomore has made a name for himself not just in Portales or the Lone Star Conference. The leader of the Greyhounds’ “Air Attack†offense has smashed team and Division II records, and ENMU has the country’s top offense, regardless of division, at 595.6 yards per game.
Harp, the 6-3, 185-pound gunslinger from Argyle, Texas, is responsible for 518.8 of those yards on average.
“My dad told me I wanted to be quarterback, and as a little kid, you want to do what your dad says,†Harp said. “I fell in love with it, getting the ball on every play.â€
'Tagalong' becomes star with Wildcats
Edmund Gates figured his days as a collegiate athlete were over. Branded a troublemaker after two seasons on the Tyler Junior College basketball team, the Vernon graduate found himself out of sports, out of school and out of hope. Georgia Tech and Hawaii Pacific offfered to give Gates tryouts, but neither would pay for his airfare. Unable to afford the travel costs, Gates went back to Vernon apparently out of options.
“I was back in Vernon doing some bad things,†Gates said. “I thought it was over.â€
Then in 2007, when Gates’ cousin, Bernard Scott, transferred from Blinn College to play for the Abilene Christian footballl team, Gates decided he would tag along and try out for a spot on the Wildcats’ basketball roster.
“I had never even heard of Abilene Christian,†Gates said.
Javelinas move up to 9th in Div. II coaches' poll
KINGSVILLE — Despite being pushed to overtime by unranked West Texas A&M, Texas A&M-Kingsville moved up on spot to No. 9 in the latest American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released Monday.
The undefeated Javelinas moved up thanks to former ninth-ranked Delta State’s loss to Ouachita Baptist (Ark.). The bad news for Texas A&M-Kingsville is that their most impressive win to date has been the season-opening victory over Delta State, which is now 2-2 and holding onto the 25th spot in the Top 25 poll.
The good news for the Javelinas is that they can put another impressive victory on the board this Saturday night when they host the new 11th-ranked team in the poll, Tarleton State. Both teams are 5-0, as is Abilene Christian, which is the highest ranked team in the Lone Star Conference at No. 2.
Mustangs slip, but maintain D-II ranking at No. 23
Midwestern State slipped six spots in the American Football Coaches’ Association Division II poll released, but will spend a third week nationally ranked at No. 23. Angelo State hit a late field goal on Saturday to beat MSU, 20-17.
The Mustangs (4-1) play host to West Texas A&M on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:05 p.m. and the game will be televised on KFDX-3.
LSC Scoop Game Previews - Week 5
Finally, a perfect 7-0 week. Season to date, we are at 26-8. Maybe we can make it two in a row.
Jacob Rowe selected to 2009 AllState AFCA Good Works Team
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – For a select group of college football players, including Tarleton's Jacob Rowe, the words “sacrifice†and “commitment†extend far beyond the football field to places that don’t require helmets and shoulder pads. Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) today have announced the 22 student-athletes chosen for the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teams®, honoring dedicated and hard-working student-athletes for their off-the-field achievements and selfless contributions to their communities.
“This is a great honor for Jacob, our football team and our University,†said Tarleton head football coach Sam McElroy. “There are a great number of kids that do things throughout the year to help others, and for Jacob to be singled out as one of the best means a great deal to us. He certainly deserves this award and the things he does to help others is wonderful. We know he will continue to serve because that is who Jacob is.â€
ARN Lone Star Conference rankings
1. ACU (4-0) — The offense takes a step forward, and the defense does a fine job against a potentially explosive Southeastern team. Now, can they shut down — or keep up — with the No. 1 offense in the nation in Eastern New Mexico this week?
2. Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-0) — The Hoggies keep on squealing, rooting up 530 yards on offense last week against Northeastern State (Okla.). They’ve got the sixth-best offense in the nation, and they’re not too bad on defense either — ranked No. 7 in the nation.
3. Midwestern State (4-0) — Who says they don’t play defense in the LSC? The Mustangs are ranked No. 4 in the nation in total defense, and QB Zack Eskridge is ranked No. 2 in passing efficiency.
Lone Star collision: No. 17 Midwestern State takes aim at Angelo State
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Midwestern State University football team went into this season picked to finish fifth in the Lone Star Conference South Division, just one spot ahead of Angelo State — its opponent this week. After allowing just 16 points in four games this season, and outscoring their opponents by an average score of 44.5-4, the Mustangs have moved all the way up to No. 17 in this week’s American Football Coaches Association Division II poll.
After soundly defeating four schools with a combined 3-12 record, MSU will get its toughest test of the season Saturday against the 3-1 Rams at San Angelo Stadium. It is the Lone Star Conference South Division opener for both teams.
Javs gear up for West Texas A&M
CORPUS CHRISTI — For the first time since Don Carthel arrived on the West Texas A&M campus four-plus years ago, the Buffaloes aren’t striking a lot of fear in their football opponents. The Buffaloes have posted at least 10-win seasons under Carthel and have reached the NCAA Division II playoffs in each of his four seasons as coach. They have unleashed a spread-out passing style of offense that has since become the choice of poison for teams in the Lone Star Conference, as well as the rest of the country’s college squads.
This year, some of the gaudy offensive numbers still are being posted. But at 1-3 entering Saturday night’s Lone Star Conference South Division opener against 10th-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville, West Texas isn’t strutting as haughtily as it had been.
“I don’t know if this bunch has played well enough to get any swagger yet,†said Carthel, who in four seasons has moved into third on WT’s all-time list of coaching wins with 45. “They’re going to have to earn their stripes. That has yet to be done. We’ve got a lot of work to do and a lot of improving to do before we can be with the upper part of this conference.â€
MSU's Tanner shows off speed
Anyone looking at Andy Tanner when the Midwestern State Mustangs go to an offensive formation with four wideouts might think he is the possession receiver of the foursome — and he may be. But don’t make the mistake of believing he is the stereotypical “slow, white guy.â€
Do that and he’s liable to make you pay — just like he did last Saturday night against the Incarnate Word Cardinals.
He caught five passes for a career-best 146 yards and three touchdowns — including the Mustangs opening score where he caught the ball on a bubble screen and ran 80 yards for the TD. But the 5-11, 185-pound senior opened up quite a few eyes on that play. After catching the pass from Eskridge, it appeared Tanner would probably get a first down after he turned the corner. Several Cardinals had the angle on him and could simply push him out of bounds. But those players never got the chance as he sprinted by them, down the sideline to tie for the third longest reception in school history.
“I come out here and work hard every day,†Tanner said. “Coach says to expect success; expect to win; expect to catch every ball; and expect to make big plays. That was what I was trying to do. Once I got by everyone I was just thinking, ‘Don’t get caught and score.’ At that time we needed a big play from somebody on offense. The defense had just made a big play, but we were rusty and not looking good. We needed someone to spark us.â€
LSC Scoop Game Previews Week 4
That's better, 6-1 last week and now at 19-8 for the season. Let's see if we can them all right this time around.
Off and running: Rams aim to start 2-0 in LSC play
It’s way too early to start comparing this year’s Angelo State University football team to the 2005 squad that went 9-3 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
But in Saturday’s 55-10 rout of Southwestern Oklahoma, the Rams put up some numbers similar to and reminiscent of that squad.
For the first time since that season, ASU will try to improve to 2-0 in Lone Star Conference play when it travels to Ada, Okla., Saturday to face East Central. The Rams defeated the Tigers 38-28 last season.
Related: Related: NATHAN WRIGHT: Internet brings fans even closer to Rams
Northeastern (Okla.) State seeking turnaround
KINGSVILLE — The precious commodity of time is something that most football coaches agree always is in short supply. Yet for Northeastern (Okla.) State’s football program, time is the main component that is going to assist the RiverHawks’ resurrection.
The RiverHawks are embedded in a rebuilding mode. The program hasn’t had a winning season since 2000 when the then-Redmen made their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs. Since then, Northeastern has won just 22 times in 82 ballgames.
“There’s been a big turnover here from when I got here. There are 40-50 new players in the program and a whole new coaching staff just in the last six months,†second-year NSU coach Kenny Evans said. “Their attitude’s been great. They know they have a chance once we mature and everything. They know we have a chance to be a good football team. They see the mistakes they’ve been making that have been costly. Right now, practices, meetings, everything has been up-tempo,†said Evans, whose team faces its fourth nationally ranked opponent Saturday at Texas A&M-Kingsville in a Lone Star Conference crossover game. “If we continue to improve at some point we’re going to be turning the corner. This is the result of an eight-year downturn at Northeastern. It’s just going to take time.â€
Carr answers the call for Mustangs
Although he has shown flashes of potential, Midwestern State running back Neal Carr has basically been caught up in a numbers game since he joined the Mustangs. The running backs ahead of him on the depth chart — namely Marcus and BeeJay Mathis — have been putting up big numbers so Carr hasn’t played in many games.
So when the 5-11, 200-pounder got his chance in last Saturday night’s game against Northeastern State he made the most of it with a game-high 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns — one from 58 yards out.
“It’s not really frustrating,†Carr said, “but obviously I want to play. I know everyone gets their chances and has to make the most of their opportunities. I talked to the O.C. (offensive coordinator Dean Norsworthy) before the game and he said I might get my opportunity tonight. I just tried to take advantage of it as best I could.â€
Inspirational mission
West Texas A&M placekicker James Chandler walked into a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in January and was handed a flier about a mission trip to Taiwan.
Without looking at many of the details, Chandler, a native of London, jumped at the chance. It would be his first mission trip - Mission Impossible. Just getting to Taiwan was a monumental exercise in paperwork, red tape and, ultimately, faith.
However, it was a life-changing trip for Chandler, who could go down in the record books as one of the best kickers in WT history.
Hounds going on record-setting pace
PORTALES — Just two seasons after scrapping a power running attack it had relied on for years, the Eastern New Mexico University football team is shattering NCAA passing records.
Behind sophomore quarterback J.J. Harp, the Greyhounds (1-2) lead NCAA Division II with an average of 646.3 yards per game. Overall in the NCAA, the Hounds trail only Division III DePauw (Ind.), which is averaging 665 yards.
Harp has thrown for an average of 563.3 yards through three games and is on pace to shatter the all-divisions NCAA record of the late Steve McNair, who averagied 527.2 yards per game in his top season at Alcorn State.
LSC Scoop Power Poll and Week 3 Superlatives
Top and bottom of poll intact, but a lot of movement in the middle.
Kingsville, Tarleton, Angelo State get big wins
Kingsville lived up to its ranking, Tarleton played great defense again, Eastern New Mexico set more records and ACU won a thriller in Lone Star Conference football Saturday. ACU got an interception return for a touchdown in overtime to outlast Texas A&M-Commerce 20-14 in the rain at the Cotton Bowl. The Wildcats protected their No. 2 national ranking. West Texas A&M, which had lost only seven games in four seasons, fell to 0-3 with a 34-10 defeat at No. 6 Central Washington.
Here’s how the LSC South games went.
No. 11 Texas A&M-Kingsville 46, No. 24 Central Oklahoma 17: At Kingsville, the new and much improved Javelinas scored four touchdowns in the first quarter to bury the Bronchos to go to 3-0. Three of the plays were huge — a 65-yard interception return, a 70-yard bootleg by quarterback Billy Garza and an 88-yard pass from Garza to Sherman Batiste that tied for third longest in Kingsville history.
And there still were five minutes left in the quarter.
WT offense struggles in loss
West Texas A&M didn't earn its initial first down until the four-minute mark of the first quarter in Saturday's 34-10 loss to sixth-ranked Central Washington at Ellensburg, Wash.
The Buffs (0-3) had four three-and-out possessions in the first half. They lost one fumble but coughed the ball up three times. They had nine penalties for 75 yards, including an offensive pass interference that helped halt a drive. They went 2-for-14 in third-down conversions and 1-for-5 on fourth downs. Central Washington was 9-for-17 on third downs.
However, WT head coach Don Carthel said after the game he was pleased with his defense, which was criticized after allowing 444 yards rushing combined in the first two games, against Grand Valley State and Central Oklahoma. Central Washington finished with 110 yards on 38 carries against the Buffs. Central totaled just 64 yards on the ground in a playoff loss to the Buffs last year at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
Cotton Bowl thriller: ACU runs back pick in OT to beat A&M-Commerce
DALLAS — Drew Cuffee was sprawled out on the training room table after the game getting an IV. Just minutes earlier, the Abilene Christian cornerback saved the Wildcats’ unbeaten season.
Cuffee returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown on the first play of overtime Saturday to lift No. 2 ACU past Texas A&M-Commerce, 20-14, at the second annual Harvey Martin Classic at the Cotton Bowl.
It was a joyous moment for the sophomore from nearby Arlington — and a big one in the Lone Star Conference opener for the defending LSC champs. ACU was playing in the famed Dallas stadium for the first time.
“I knew the defense needed to make a play,†Cuffee said. “The defense needed to make a stop. I didn’t imagine it would be a turnover like that. But I had the opportunity, and God saw me through that moment. I’ve got to give all the praises to him.â€
Davis carries Javs to rainy triumph
KINGSVILLE — Connell Davis has enough talent and physical skills to not be considered as a “mudder†as far as running backs are concerned.
It didn’t hurt him or Texas A&M-Kingsville that Davis handles a bad track well.
Davis’ second and third touchdown runs of the game Saturday night was all the offense of consequence in the second half after a third-quarter downpour. Those scores and a dominating first half enabled the 11th-ranked Javelinas quash No. 24 Central Oklahoma 46-17.
There were no big plays like the ones the 3-0 Javelinas had in the first half after the 15-minute deluge turned an already soggy turf at Javelina Stadium into mush.
It didn’t seem to bother Davis, who with 138 yards turned in A&M-Kingsville’s first 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
Smith ties TD mark as No. 22 Tarleton overpowers ECU
Roderick Smith tied the Tarleton school record for career touchdowns with his 33rd as part of a first half that saw the Texans rush for 316 yards and build a 34-0 lead en rout to an easy 41-2 win against East Central at Memorial Stadium Saturday night.
Smith's 49-yard scoring sprint with 5:41 left in the opening half inked his name beside Gaylon Bowser (1984-87) as the Texans' all-time touchdown king. The senior had 204 rushing yards before the break and sat out the second half.
Smith, who has run for 342 yards through three games, needs just 640 more to be the school's all-ime leading rusher.
Evan Robertson rushed for 110 yards in the first two periods, including pair of TD runs covering 15 and 25 yards. Robertson saw little action after the break and finished with 115 yards.
Rams Roll
On a dark, wet and gloomy night at San Angelo Stadium, the Angelo State University football team lit up the scoreboard all night long — and more than it has in the last four years.
The Rams scored five times in the first half and went on to rout Southwestern Oklahoma 55-10 Saturday night. It was the Rams’ largest margin of victory since they defeated Adams State 53-7 in 1999 — and the first time they scored 50 points since defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville 54-51 in 2005.
Josh Neiswander passed for 311 yards and tied a school record with six touchdown passes while Dwight Pete scored three times as the Rams improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Lone Star Conference.
“We should be doing this every time,†Pete said. “We have the weapons on offense to do it. This is what we are supposed to do.â€
Mustangs 'D' grounds Hawks
The way the Midwestern State offense is playing, the defense has been spending quite a bit of time on the field.
But they’ve been using their time wisely.
The Mustangs picked off three passes and kept their opponents out of the end zone for the third straight week as they crushed Northeastern State 52-3 Saturday night in a Lone Star Conference crossover game at Memorial Stadium.
MSU will take a week off from conference play next week as it travels to San Antonio to take on first-year program and future LSC foe Incarnate Word in a 7 p.m. game at Tom Benson Stadium.
Oh, my: Buffs 0-3
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - It's been roughly 10 months since West Texas A&M last met Central Washington on the gridiron.
However, Saturday afternoon's contest was night and day different than last year's playoff tilt. The sixth-ranked Wildcats scored twice in the first quarter and put three more scores on the board by halftime in Central Washington's 34-10 victory against West Texas A&M.
WT dropped to 0-3 on the season.
After a 3-and-out by the Buffs early in the first quarter, the Wildcats netted 27 yards in two plays on the ground - something severely lacking against the Buffs in WT's 49-42 first round playoff victory in Canyon in November - before quarterback Ryan Robertson found Jamal Weems for an 18-yard score.
"We were expecting a smash-mouth football game," WT head coach Don Carthel said. "You've got to give them credit."
Midwestern State routs Northeastern
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Zack Eskridge passed for 224 yards and four touchdowns to lead Midwestern State to a dominating 52-3 win over Northeastern State in a driving rainstorm Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.
The Mustangs defense intercepted RiverHawks quarterbacks three times and limited them to 208 yards. MSU has not allowed a touchdown in its first 12 quarters of the 2009 season.
State college football roundup: A&M-Kingsville too much for University of Central Oklahoma
In a matchup of ranked teams, Central Oklahoma’s defense was no match for Texas A&M-Kingsville who won in a rout, 46-17.
Only the rain slowed down the eighth-ranked Javelinas, who averaged almost eight yards per play and scored 34 first-half points before weather forced both teams away from the passing game.
The 24th-ranked Bronchos scored twice in the first on a 23-yard pass from Brandon Noohi to Ryan Gallimore and a 29-yard run by Noohi.
Javelinas strike early in win
KINGSVILLE — Texas A&M-Kingsville scored four times in the first quarter en route to a 46-17 victory Saturday over Central Oklahoma.
Connell Davis had a 1-yard run, DeIra Glover ran back an interception 65 yards, quarterback Billy Garza ran for a 70-yard TD and then Garza threw an 88-yard scoring pass to Sherman Batiste with 4:40 left in the first quarter.
Storm holds off Greyhounds for wild win
PORTALES, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico broke countless records, but the Southeastern Savage Storm broke the hearts of Greyhound fans in wild, 49-47, win that went tit-for-tat for much of Saturday’s contest.
Although ENMU quarterback J.J. Harp set NCAA D-II and Lone Star Conference records while slinging 64-for-95 for 767 yards with three scores and two picks, the biggest offensive play of the night belonged to the Storm. SE trailed 44-43 in the fourth quarter when Baylen Laury broke free of defenders and went 75 yards for a touchdown. SE failed on the 2-point conversion, but finally managed to get a stop on the next series.
Harvey Martin Classic: Abilene Christian defeats Texas A&M-Commerce, 20-14Long interception return lifts Abilene Christian to winArea college football report: Sept. 14, 2009
LSC Scoop Game Previews Week 3
Hmmmm.....5 right, 3 wrong last week...that leaves us 13-7 for the season, not the best start in the world, lets see if we can turn it around this week.
Javelinas' opponent rebounded from rough start in '08
KINGSVILLE — It is Year 2 of Central Oklahoma’s three-year stay inside the NCAA doghouse. While the Bronchos are ineligible to participate in the Division II football playoffs, life on the outside isn’t all bad.
Second-year coach Tracy Holland said he thinks the Bronchos are getting their house in order.
“The thing that I like the most with this coaching staff is we’ve come in and we had a plan we wanted to execute. We haven’t deviated from that,†said Holland, whose 24th-ranked UCO ballclub (1-1) faces No. 11 Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday at Javelina Stadium in a Lone Star Conference crossover game.
“Despite the 0-4 start we had last year we have continued to execute our plan and I would say the most gratifying part is how the players have believed in it and responded to it and grown,†Holland said. “I really do believe we’re moving in the right direction.â€
(Scoop Note: The Bronchos were not barred from the NCAA playoffs)
WT's struggling defense issued challenge
West Texas A&M defensive coordinator Colby Carthel isn't mincing words when he talks about the Buffs defense.
At Tuesday's weekly WT media luncheon, Carthel described Saturday's game at Central Washington (WT's third straight against an opponent that has been ranked at some point this season) as the time the Buffs will find out "whose momma raised a coward."
Judging by Carthel's no-nonsense attitude, the Buffs - particularly on defense - have some maturing to do.
"Central Washington is playing smash-mouth football. They took it right to the defending national champions (in a 13-10 victory against Minnesota Duluth last week)," said Carthel, in his fourth season at WT. "I'm sure watching our film where Central Oklahoma ran for 288 yards against us, they are licking their chops. We are going to have to meet them in the hole. Something has got to give."
Bulldogs look to turn things around against Rams The Southwestern Oklahoma football team is trying to turn its program around under new head coach Dan Cocannouer. SWOSU went just 3-8 last season — including a 24-2 loss to Angelo State — and is off to an 0-2 start this season.
After opening the season with a 48-17 loss to Emporia State, the Bulldogs lost to Eastern New Mexico 45-7 last Saturday. They have lost their first two games by an average score of 46.5-12.
They will try to get their season going in a positive direction Saturday when they travel to San Angelo to face a 1-1 Angelo State team coming off a hard-fought loss to Texas State. Southwestern Oklahoma’s most glaring struggles have been on defense. Through two games, the Bulldogs’ defense has allowed 575.5 yards per game. Opponents have scored 13 touchdowns against them in two games.
Last week against Texas A&M-Commerce, SWOSU struggled to find much offensive rhythm the entire game as the Bulldogs were limited to just 180 yards on 66 plays, an average of 2.7 yards a play. SWOSU turned the ball over four times, all of which came by interception.
(Scoop Note: SOW played Eastern New Mexico last week, not Texas A&M-Commerce)
For Mustangs, big plays come in small packages
Any hope the Southeastern Oklahoma Savage Storm had of mounting a second-half comeback last Saturday quickly vanished on their first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Storm quarterback Dallas McCutcheon threw the ball; Midwestern State linebacker Matt Ellerbrock tipped it; and MSU cornerback Brandon Williams picked it off.
It was the third interception of the night for the Mustangs and the first of what Williams hopes will be many more for him before the 2009 season is over.
“We (the defense) are supposed to run to the ball every time,†said Williams, who had one interception prior to this season. “Coach is always telling us when you run to the ball good things are going to happen. He (McCutcheon) threw it, I ran to the ball, Ellerbrock tipped it and it went right into my hands — although I did have to dive for it. Everybody was where they were supposed to be and everybody was doing their job — not trying to cover for someone else. We’re one unit as a defense and right now we just click. "
At 5-8, Williams is the shortest of the three senior cornerbacks Micah Hill and Antoine Cumby are both listed at 5-10 that head coach Bill Maskill affectionately refers to as “our midgets.â€
Week 3 LSC Scoopcast is available!
Kingsville clamps down
KINGSVILLE, Texas — East Central University was limited to 144 yards of total offense as Texas A&M-Kingsville piled of 435 yards of offense, behind the passing of Billy Garza, to beat the Tigers 39-7 Saturday night.
Garza was 15-of-23 passing for 202 yards and four touchdowns while Ryan Lincoln caught six passes for 120 yards and a score as the Javelinas improved to 2-0 on the season after stunning fourth-ranked Delta State (Miss.) last week.
The only consolation for ECU (0-2) is that it finally broke its seven quarter scoreless drought on the season as backup quarterback Josh Phillips fired a 21-yard touchdown pass to Alvin Barnett and Corey Dozier added the point-after kick to cut the deficit to 36-7 with 11:32 remaining in the contest.
RGV Capsules: Garza leads way for A&M-Kingsville
Senior quarterback Billy Garza led the Javelinas to an easy win over visiting East Central by passing for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns in 2 1/2 quarters during Saturday’s 39-7 victory at Javelina Stadium.
He quickly and efficiently guided the Hogs to touchdowns on five of the last six possessions he played, hitting four different receivers for scores. The four touchdowns tied his career high. With five touchdown passes already this season, Garza is moving up the career list. He is tied for ninth with Darcy Davis, who threw 28 touchdown passes from 1984-87.
Russell: Rhodes' release cuts MSU's tie to NFL
When the Buffalo Bills released former Midwestern State running back Dominic Rhodes on Saturday it not only cut one of the Mustangs’ links to the NFL, it also dropped the number of former Lone Star Conference players in the league to nine.
Rhodes’ release was somewhat of a surprise as the Bills coach Dick Jauron had already said he was happy with Fred Jackson and Rhodes to start the season in place of Marshawn Lynch, who has been suspended for the first three games.
LSC Scoop Power Poll, Week 2 Superlatives
The top and bottom spots stay the same, but there is a bit of movement in between.
AFCA Coaches Poll
Four LSC teams are ranked in the top 25, and two more are just on the outside looking in. For the first time since 2005, West Texas A&M is not ranked.
West Texas A&M Buffs roaming to unfamiliar territory
West Texas A&M, which has been a top-25 team since midway through the 2005 season, suddenly is in danger of exiting the national poll.
The Buffs, who started the season ranked No. 11 in the American Football Coaches Association poll, lost 24-17 to Central Oklahoma on Saturday, dropping WT to 0-2.
The rest of the Lone Star Conference South Division fared well, with only Angelo State losing. Abilene Christian, ranked No. 3 nationally, had no problems with Fort Lewis, taking a 58-10 win at Shotwell Stadium to go to 2-0.
Unprecedented results
The West Texas A&M football team is in uncharted territory. The Buffs (0-2 overall, 0-1 Lone Star Conference) have lost two consecutive games for the first time under head coach Don Carthel and have lost three in a row dating to the 2008 postseason.
And the schedule isn't cutting the Buffs any slack, with a trip to face undefeated top-10 squad Central Washington looming.
"We will see how we bounce back from two losses," WT running back Kelvin Thompson said Saturday night after the Buffs fell, 24-17, to Central Oklahoma, their first loss to the Bronchos since 2004. "We're going to find out what type of people we have on the team."
ACU storms Fort Lewis to extend regular season win streak
After a defensive slugfest against Northwest Missouri State in its season opener, the No. 3 Abilene Christian Wildcats needed a chance to get their offense tuned up for the rest of the season.
They were able to do that and much more Saturday night with a 58-10 rout of Fort Lewis College in a non-conference contest in front of 7,124 fans at Shotwell Stadium.
The Wildcats rolled up 537 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers and returned a punt for a touchdown as they steamrolled the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis had 278 total yards, including just nine rushing yards on 21 attempts.
Javelinas tame Tigers
KINGSVILLE — Any questions about how Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team would respond to last week’s victory over nationally ranked Delta (Miss.) State were answered with authority Saturday night.
Another game against East Central (Okla.) equated to another dominating performance by the Javelinas. A&M-Kingsville improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2005 by routing the Tigers 39-7 Saturday night at Javelina Stadium.
Quarterback Billy Garza threw for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a little more than 2.5 quarters of work. Five different Javelinas scored TDs and the defense again was suffocating, limiting ECU to 144 yards of offense. Fifty-five of those came on the Tigers’ lone scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Marcus Johnson, the two-time Lone Star Conference North Division Offensive Back of the Year, was held to 21 passing yards and minus-10 yards rushing.
RiverHawks’ defense solid but offense stymied
TAHLEQUAH — Northeastern State and Tarleton State locked up into an old fashioned Lone Star Conference defensive battle Saturday night at Doc Wadley Stadium.
Neither team generated a great deal of offense, as the Texans made good on two field goals in the first period to take a 6-0 victory over the RiverHawks.
Northeastern State remains winless at 0-2, while the Texans go to 2-0 on the season.
Bronchos stun No. 13 West Texas A&M
AMARILLO, Texas — What a difference a week makes. Central Oklahoma never got its running game untracked and was gashed for nearly 600 yards in a season-opening loss last week, but the Bronchos turned the tide in a big way here Saturday night to pull off a stunning 24-17 upset of No. 13-ranked West Texas A&M.
UCO rolled up 288 yards on the ground -- its most since 2003 -- after netting just 45 in last week’s 42-13 loss at Pittsburg State and limited the high-powered Buffs to 320 total yards to end a four-game losing streak to WTAMU.
Jason Palmer led the way with 148 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, with Ben Birmingham adding 72 yards in 12 attempts and quarterback Brandon Noohi 65 yards in 10 tries as offensive linemen Luke Sapolu, Corbin Burchett, Cody Hughes, Jake Kessen and Andrew McCabe did the job up front.
Mustangs outrun the Storm
It was supposed to be the irresistible force — Southeastern Oklahoma State — against the immovable object — Midwestern State — on Saturday night.
But somebody forgot to tell the Savage Storm that the Mustangs could apply a little force when they needed to.
MSU spotted SOSU an early 6-0 lead and then rattled off 34 unanswered points on the way to a 34-6 Lone Star Conference crossover win at Paul Laird Field.
The Mustangs improve to 2-0 for the season, while the Savage Storm are now 1-1. MSU returns home next Saturday for a 7 p.m. game against Northeastern State, a 6-0 loser to Tarleton State on Saturday night.
Rams' rally falls short in loss to Bobcats
Despite a late charge, the Angelo State football team was handed its first loss of the season Saturday as the Rams fell at Texas State, 48-28, in front of more than 14,000 fans in San Marcos. The Rams fell to 1-1 while Texas State, ranked No. 21 in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, improved to 1-0.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA 41, TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE 7
HAMMOND - Behind career nights from senior quarterback Brian Babin and sophomore tight end Simmie Yarborough, as well as a stifling defensive effort, the Southeastern Louisiana football opened the 2009 campaign with a dominant 41-7 win over visiting Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday night in Strawberry Stadium.
The Lions (1-0) won their home opener for the seventh consecutive season and held Texas A&M-Commerce to just six first downs and 198 total yards. The win was the program's most lopsided victory in a season opener since a 35-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe (then Northeast Louisiana in 1956). Conversely, Southeastern was able to rack up 470 yards on offense and posted 28 first downs.
The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, has upheld the penalties it imposed on the Abilene Christian football team for using a pair of ineligible players for the 2007-2008 school year. The main part ACU appealed was to keep the players’ statistics for the 2007 season — running back Bernard Scott and wide receiver Johnny Knox — and to keep from vacating the 10 wins it put up that season.
So the Wildcats will now have an 0-3 record for 2007, their first NCAA Division II playoff win will now be the 93-68 win over West Texas A&M last year and coach Chris Thomsen’s record is now 24-13.
ACU president Dr. Royce Money said it was “overkill†to obliterate the entire season.
Athletic director Jared Mosley and Thomsen both claimed the errors by the coaches — letting the players use athletic department computers and sending in the players’ work for the courses they needed to become eligible — were procedural and were not done to create a “competitive advantage.â€
Now I know my degree from Abilene Christian is only in mass communication, but don’t try and tell me that adding two players who would eventually be drafted by the NFL doesn’t give you an advantage.
Just Act Natural: Williams Loving Return To Original Position
KINGSVILLE - Following their 28-17 win over previously third-ranked Delta State, national attention turned to the Javelina football team, especially on quarterback Billy Garza and the Javs very stingy defense.
This past Saturday was undoubtedly a coming out part for Javs running back Joe Williams. He only rushed for 58 yards, but he scored three times. Those marked his first touchdowns in his college career.
"I was very happy after the first one. I was like, 'wow, I finally scored a touchdown', and from there I was more confident and I just kept going with it," Williams said.
That output comes after a long four years. He red-shirted as a freshman and was moved around the next two years, then injured his meniscus in 2008.
"I'm happy because it is finally my time, but it all falls back to the team," Williams said.
NSU anxious to bounce back from season-opening loss
The Northeastern State football team will look to bounce back from a season-opening loss to Arkansas Tech on Saturday night when they host Tarleton State at Gable Field.
“Just looking at the schedule, we’re going to play two of the best teams on the schedule in the first two games,†said RiverHawks coach Kenny Evans.
The Texans are a perennial powerhouse in the Lone Star Conference and are coming off an 8-3 season in 2008 and more recently, a 45-16 win over Arkansas-Monticello in their season opener.
Unlikely connection clicks for UIW
Incarnate Word quarterback Thomas Specia and wide receiver Derrick Walls have their Reagan ties in common. And, apparently, little else.
There's that whole generational gap and all.
“He's really old,†Walls, 18, said of the 22-year-old Specia.
New transfer rule leading to more talent in D-II
ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- This is not how Matt Ah You's final season of college was supposed to play out - against Division II talent on a browning, wind-swept practice field pocked with dusty divots.
This is a Division I linebacker, someone with the chops to play in 13 games and record 50 tackles last season as a part-time starter at Brigham Young, the school where his father played and his brother began his career.
But a disagreement with his position coach over playing time and a new NCAA rule landed Ah You in this most unlikely of outposts finding himself preparing for the likes of Minnesota-Duluth and Dixie State instead of Oklahoma and Florida State.
"They don't care where you came from as long as you can play," Ah You said on a recent 98 degree afternoon. "They don't care you came from a (Division I) school, they only care if you can play football."
Ah You is one of the college football players affected by a little-known NCAA rule implemented in 2006 but only now starting to alter the college landscape. The rule prohibits seniors-to-be in Football Bowl Subdivision programs (formerly Division I-A) from transferring to a Football Championship Subdivision program (formerly Division I-AA) and being able to play immediately.
Javelinas Celebrate Their Victory Against Delta State (with video)
KINGSVILLE - The Javelinas had a lot to celebrate after the Hoggies rallied from a 14-point hole to defeat third ranked Delta State in their home opener.
With the win it's safe to say Hoggie football is back on the map.
Turnovers and penalties nearly doomed blue in the first frame as a fumble and an interception led to Statesmen scores. However, the second, third and fourth frames were a different story.
Former ASU coach reunites with players 40 years after revamping program
When Grant Teaff was hired as the new head football coach at Angelo State University following a 2-9 season in 1968, to say that the Rams’ program was under the radar would be an over-statement.
Teaff inherited a program that wasn’t even in the air, more like still buttoned up in the hangar and grounded for maintenance.
In his three years as the head man, Teaff worked some magic, opened the hangar doors, taxied the program into position and took it off the ground faster than an F-18 in afterburner.
In the Nick of Time (Aug 31)
Seeing a big old goose egg on the bad guys’ side of the scoreboard doesn’t happen much at Midwestern State. If you want to see MSU shut somebody out, go watch soccer. Football shutouts happen about once every three years.
The 41-0 skunking of New Mexico Highlands in the season opener Saturday night was just the third shutout Bill Maskill has seen in his eight seasons at MSU — the first in four years. There have only been eight shutouts in the 21 years since the school resurrected the program.
OK, nobody needs to get overly excited about this one. The Mustangs were playing against an offense that threw 12 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions a year ago.
HU — as Highlands likes to be called — is not OU.
Flashes of brilliance
A good number of the 15,093 fans in attendance Saturday night at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium - primarily West Texas A&M fans - packed up and hit the road with 3:11 left in the third quarter of the Buffs' 37-23 loss to the top-ranked team in the nation.
When Grand Valley State linebacker Luther Ware scooped up a bouncing fumble on a botched snap on a field-goal attempt and rambled 72 yards for a touchdown, the game may have been all but over at 34-9 in favor of the Lakers, but the rest of the season remains for WT. After the game, that was the Buffs' attitude.
The Lakers were as good as advertised, but, at times, the Buffs were their own worst enemies, and their costly mistakes Saturday night can be corrected.
"I don't give any defense any credit anyway," said WT tight end Tyson Williams, who had a game-high eight catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. "(GVS) was a good team, but our mentality is that we don't give any defense any credit."
DSU Falls In Opener
Joe Williams rushed for three touchdowns and Billy Garza threw for 306 yards to lead the No. 24-ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas to a 28-17 upset of the Delta State Statesmen on Saturday at Javelina Stadium.
The Javelina defense put the clamps down the high-power Statesmen offensive unit, limiting Delta State to 234 yards of total offense. Matt Dean's 36-yard field goal as time expired in the first half was the only offensive score allowed by Texas A&M-Kingsville. Delta State quarterback Garrett DeWitt completed 13-of-32 passes for 154 yards. His counterpart Garza, a transfer from the University of Illinois, completed 22-of-38 pass attempts. Williams rushed for 80 yards en route to his three scores. Trevar Deed was Delta State's leading rusher, accumulating 59 yards on the ground. The Javelinas reeled off 506 yards of total offense in the game.
Local college football report: Specia impresses for UIW
Game balls
> UIW QB Thomas Specia, a Reagan graduate, totaled 352 yards (277 passing, 75 rushing) and five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) in the Cardinals’ inaugural game.
> UIW freshman WR Derrick Walls, also from Reagan, had five receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 70-yard punt return.
> A&M-Kingsville RB Joe Williams scored three TDs to go along with 80 yards on 14 carries.
> A&M-Kingsville LB Jeff Edwards intercepted a Garrett DeWitt pass inside the Javelinas’ 10-yard line. The pickoff led to Kingsville’s first lead.
No. 1 Grand Valley snuffs Buffs; Kingsville shocks No. 4 Delta State
Lone Star Conference teams went 2-2 against ranked Division II teams the first week, including Abilene Christian’s 19-14 win Thursday over No. 2 Northwest Missouri State.
A&M-Commerce drops opener to Angelo State, 21-7
Blue crush
Javelinas pull off upset win in opener (KINGSVILLE) — It was a win. It certainly wasn’t pretty. But it certainly was the biggest victory in Bo Atterberry’s two-plus years as Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football coach.
A&M-Kingsville shocked fourth-ranked Delta (Miss.) State 28-17 Saturday night in front 10,500 people at Javelina Stadium. The Javelinas won their first season opener under Atterberry. They had to overcome five turnovers and 102 penalty yards to do so.
But the Javs’ defense pitched a shutout in the second half, snuffing the high-powered Statesmen to 234 yards, far shy of the 471 they had averaged last season. A&M-Kingsville senior Billy Garza threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns and senior running back Joe Williams scored three TDs, running for 67 yards.
While the Javs coughed up the ball five times, they made the most of their one forced turnover. Jeff Edwards’ interception of Garrett DeWitt stopped the Statesmen at the A&M-Kingsville 11 early in the fourth quarter. The Javs calmly moved down the field, and Garza hooked up with Gregory-Portland-ex Connell Davis on a 47-yard scoring pass. The try for two failed but the Javs had their first lead of the night at 21-17. Related: A&M-Kingsville slips past No. 3 Delta State Related: Hogs Knock Off #3 Delta State (with video)
Too tough to handle
In a typical football game that lasts three hours, a few plays here and there wouldn't seem that big a deal as to which team wins and loses. However, that was the case Saturday night, as a handful of plays did in the West Texas A&M Buffs.
Despite a competitive performance, especially in the first half, the 11th-ranked Buffs fell to the top ranked team in the nation, the Grand Valley State Lakers, 37-23, in front of 15,093 fans at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. A couple of long pass plays in the first half, combined with a couple of special teams miscues and trouble in the red zone, ruined any chance of a WT upset.
"Overall, I was pleased with the effort of the kids," said WT head coach Don Carthel, whose team is 0-1 to start the season for the first time in his five seasons.
WT offense holds its own
Though it didn't show in the final score, West Texas A&M's offense did a good job Saturday night in the season- opener at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The No. 11 Buffs (0-1) lost to No. 1 Grand Valley State, 37-23, but the offense produced 452 yards, including 408 passing with a new quarterback working with new tools.
WT led the game through nearly the entire first half, and outproduced the Lakers on offense (GVS had 377 total yards). First-time starting quarterback Taylor Harris looked calm and operated the offense like a veteran. He hooked up the most with sophomore tight end Tyson Williams, who also made his first start and caught eight balls for 92 yards. Related: Loss won't spoil season
Off and running: Rams take first opener since 2006
Angelo State University won its season opener for the first time since 2006 Saturday with a 21-7 victory over Texas A&M-Commerce at San Angelo Stadium.
Josh Neiswander, making his first start at quarterback since last year’s season opener when he broke his leg, passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rams to their first win over the Lions since 2004.
Mustangs wrangle Cowboys
BeeJay Mathis has been among the national leaders in punt returns each of his two years at Midwestern State.
After Saturday night’s performance against New Mexico Highlands, he will be again this year. Related: Highlights
UIW sets bar high in debut
The madness at Benson Stadium had subsided for only a few seconds Saturday night when Incarnate Word quarterback Thomas Specia turned to trainer Caesar Martinez and asked, “Does your head hurt?â€
On this night and amid this scene, it's unlikely anyone could have answered “no.â€
Watching an unlikely 18-point fourth-quarter lead dwindle to three over the waning minutes of the program's first game, the Cardinals held on to stun Mexico's Monterrey Tech 42-39 before a standing-room-only crowd of 6,235 fans. Related: Walls produces huge night in UIW's victory
Two guys who fought their way onto the Abilene Christian University football team as walk-ons stepped into the limelight Thursday night at Shotwell Stadium.
Arthur Johnson, a fifth-year senior, returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown, and Casey Carr, a fourth-year junior, set up another touchdown with a 37-yard interception return to spark the No. 5 Wildcats past No. 2 Northwest Missouri State. 19-14, before a storm-battered crowd of 11,322.
Both started out as walk-ons.
“I’m just proud of those guys.†ACU coach Chris Thomsen said. “To be walk-ons in college football and earn scholarships like they have and step up in a big game like says a lot about them.â€
It’s the second consecutive year the Wildcats have beaten Northwest Missouri in the season opener.
Defense carries load in Wildcats victory
The Abilene Christian University may be in need of a good body shop to straighten out the dents inflicted Thursday by Northwest Missouri State. The Wildcats, however, never broke down in taking a 19-14 victory over the No. 2 Bearcats at Shotwell Stadium.
With so many new faces on offense, it fell to the ACU defense to keep things in hand in their season opener. Every time it appeared the Bearcats were about to get things going, the defense made the plays to keep No. 5 ACU in the lead, if not in control.
Defensive end Ashton Whiteside capped the performance with a sack and forced fumble on a Bearcats fourth down from the ACU 30-yard line with 3:09 remaining in the game. That final stop allowed the Wildcats to run out the clock.
“It was just a good effort,†Whiteside said. “Our coaches preach to us about running to the ball, running through the block, and our whole defense did a good job of that. The whole time we were talking about ball key, and they didn’t get us once on that.â€
UAM Falls in Season Opener
Tarleton State's senior tailback Roderick Smith had four rushing touchdowns at halftime, aiding the Texans to a 45-16 victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello football team in the 2009 season opener for both squads.
The Texans (1-0) finished the game with 245 yards rushing on 36 carries and limited the Gulf South Conference's best rushing team in 2008, UAM (0-1), to only 82 yards on the ground on 39 carries.
Junior preseason All-GSC quarterback Scott Buisson was also shut down by the TSU defense, gaining only six yards on 14 attempts. Buisson was sacked three times for a loss of 31 yards. Through the air, the Metairie, La. native connected on 17 of 27 pass attempts for 176 yards, including one touchdown pass for 46 yards to senior Spenser Garrison with 9:20 left in the second half. That touchdown drive of three plays and 70 yards lasted only 59 seconds.
Javelinas want to keep momentum from 2008
KINGSVILLE — The product by no means is finished. A football program that has weaned itself off successive losing seasons for the first time since the turn of the century is decidedly on the rebound. And with a crop of young, energetic coaches, optimism is on the rise within Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football ranks.
While last year’s 7-4 record represented a four-game swing from Bo Atterberry’s first season as coach in 2007, the task now is sustaining the turnaround. That starts with the foundation — the players — and weaving a thread on a yearly basis to ensure the fabric of players remains taut. It is much like the one that made the Javelinas a perennial threat in the Lone Star Conference and on the national stage.
“Obviously you do it through recruiting and staying the course,†Atterberry said. “Making sure even the young guys understand the philosophy and the foundation, the importance and what a privilege it is to be a Javelina. You just continue to try and get the best players in here we can.â€
The Abilene Christian University football suffered only one loss last season. Unfortunately, it came in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals — at the hands of Northwest Missouri State University. Ever since that season-ending 45-36 loss in Abilene, ACU senior Tony Harp has been itching for the rematch — knowing the Wildcats open the season against Northwest Missouri.
That day has come.
ACU, ranked No. 5 in the American Football Coaches Association national poll, plays the No. 2 Bearcats at 7 tonight in the opening game of the Action Sports Medicine Champions Classic at Shotwell Stadium.
“We’ve got a chip on our shoulder, and we want revenge,†said Harp, a starting free safety.
Javelinas expect big second season from QB Garza
KINGSVILLE — Most people would welcome getting another opportunity at anything they may do. When you are Billy Garza, and you have had a full year to fully embrace the offensive scheme he again will be directing for Texas A&M-Kingsville, the second and final chance may be huge. The reason is simple: Garza etched his name into the Javelinas’ record books in three categories and he did so essentially on a learn-as-you-go basis last season in helping guide the Javelinas to a 7-4 record.
“That’s a big thing. Last year he didn’t really know too much about the offense. But this year he’s got it to perfection,†said junior Ryan Lincoln, who figures to be on the receiving end of many of Garza’s passes this season. “It’s even better because he automatically knows what to do. That’s a good thing, probably the best thing to ever happen to us,†said Lincoln, who had 48 receptions for 740 yards, second on the ballclub last year. “In one year look what he did, breaking those records without not really knowing the offense. Now this year he knows it. There’s no telling what he’ll do this year.â€
The senior quarterback set single-season standards in completions (209), attempts (370) and passing yards (2,787). He also fell just short of cracking Abel Gonzalez’s single-season bests in touchdown passes and total offense. Related: 2009 LSC South Division preview Related: 2009 LSC North Division preview Related: Javelinas Keeping An Eye On Delta State Linebacker (with video)
NATHAN WRIGHT: Neiswander back from injury, as good as new
It has been almost a year since Angelo State quarterback Josh Neiswander’s junior season ended before it even really began.
Neiswander broke his leg in the Rams’ season opener against Texas State. After he had completed 18 of 25 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns.
“On both sides of the ball we were playing well,†Neiswander said. “Our defense was doing good. I think we were doing good on offense.â€
Rams football turning the corner
The Angelo State football team has averaged fewer than three wins a season over the past three years. That streak began a year after the Rams went 9-3 and advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Rams and ASU head coach Dale Carr believe they have the experience and the talent to make a significant improvement this season. They just have to stay healthy.
“It’s that simple,†Carr said. “We need to stay healthy. That has been our focus as a staff. It has been the No.. 1 focus, period. Nothing else is more important than keeping our guys healthy.â€
Buffs' foe boasts 42-game regular-season win streak
If the Grand Valley State Lakers were applying for a job, they would have a sparkling resume.
Experience: The Lakers open the season as the No. 1 team in the nation in NCAA Division II for the sixth time since 2000 and return six offensive and eight defensive starters from last season's 11-1 playoff team.
Qualifications: Four national titles since 2002 and 42 consecutive regular-season victories.
However, to get the job done against the No. 11 West Texas A&M Buffs on Saturday at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, GVS head coach Chuck Martin (61-5 in his sixth season) can't put much stock in past accomplishments.
"No one remembers who is the preseason No. 1 but who is the postseason No. 1," said Martin, who guided the Lakers to national titles in 2005 and 2006. "You take pride in it, but all that does is put a big X on your chest and everybody wants to knock you off that much more."
UIW's No. 1 fans flying high
If there's a downside to Incarnate Word kicking off football in three days, it's that school president Louis Agnese only has so much longer to boast about a certain streak.
“For the last 129 years, Incarnate Word has been undefeated. I'd like to keep it that way,†he jokingly told the Cardinals following a recent practice.
That UIW's perpetually unthreatened mark in football is suddenly in jeopardy speaks to just how far the school has come in recent years. Thanks to Agnese's vision and UIW benefactor Tom Benson's funding, the once-unlikely, years-in-the-making dream of bringing college football to UIW will become a reality when the Cardinals open their inaugural season Saturday. They play Monterrey Tech at 7p.m. at Benson Stadium.
“We talked about it, talked about it, talked about it,†Agnese said. “Now, it's finally going to happen.â€
Tarleton defense better get used to seeing good QBs
KINGSVILLE - When the number 24 Javelinas take the field against third-ranked Delta State in the season opener Saturday, keep an eye on the guys in front of quarterback Billy Garza. They might just be the foundation on which an upset is built.
"If we go, the team will go," three-year captain Markeith Wesley said.
Wesley has reason to be confident. He leads an offensive line that returns all five of last season's starters and depth to spare. That unit helped the Javelinas rack up 430 yards and 31 points a game in 2008.
"So now, it's like the time where we come out and have fun. That's the most important thing about football. You can get all uptight and you've got to be able to have fun. We're able to come out and relax. We know what we're going to do. We know the system and we're able to get things done," Wesley said.
"It's always been my opinion that the offensive line is one of the key factors to how a team does. We will definitely take the burden on our shoulders and we're ready to run with it," center Tim Byerly said.
Thompson takes on bigger role
Now that junior running back Kelvin Thompson is the main man of the West Texas A&M running game - at least for the time being - how does he compare to the injured Keithon Flemming, the Lone Star Conference Preseason Player of the Year who has piled up 3,212 all-purpose yards during the past two seasons?
Go to the sources - Flemming and Thompson. Who would win a 40-yard dash between the two?
"Ah, you can't put us on the spot like that," said Flemming, who was sporting a large brace on his left arm Monday after suffering a dislocated elbow in WT's final preseason scrimmage Saturday.
Thompson's response? "I don't think we've done that (a 40-yard dash)."
The answer will have to come on the field, but the Buffs are confident the offense will keep humming. With Flemming out an estimated four to six weeks (results of a Monday MRI are expected today), Thompson takes one of the spotlight roles in the WT offense in a spotlight game - the 11th-ranked Buffs open the season Saturday against Grand Valley State, the No. 1 team in the nation.
"If I said I wasn't disappointed about the injury, I'd be lying," said Flemming. "But everybody knows what Kelvin can do. We'll be fine. There are a lot of good players on this football team. Hopefully, when I come back, I'll be able to go full out."
South Side players ready for college football
Diego McClain was about to burst at the seams last week, reveling in a moment he didn’t expect life to provide him and playing a position he associated with his late brother.
The Highlands High School alumnus arguably was the individual standout in the University of the Incarnate Word’s final preseason football scrimmage at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. Saturday, he’ll play his first football game since the 2004 season.
“Diego did a great job,†Incarnate Word coach Mike Santiago said. “He was coming off the ball well and getting into the backfield. He did a great job of disrupting the offense.â€
2009 Preview - Abilene Christian
The Wildcats put on an offensive performance that we might not see again for a while, if ever. But whether or not ACU takes the next step, depends on the defense.
2009 Preview - Central Oklahoma
For most teams, an 0-4 would result in players throwing in the towel, and looking toward next year. The Bronchos went the opposite direction - reeling off 7 straight wins, narrowly missing the playoffs, and building up a great deal of momentum for the 2009 season.
2009 Preview - West Texas A&M
The Buffaloes were loaded and ready last year. Deep in talent and leadership, the Buffs were looking for their best season ever in the LSC. The only problem - Abilene Christian just happened to have their best team in 30 years as well, dealing WT their only two losses, including a playoff game that will long be remembered.
2009 Preview - Texas A&M-Commerce
Another year of high expectations ended in mediocrity for the 2008 Lions. That led to a coaching change, with former Baylor head coach Guy Morriss taking over. There will be plenty of new faces on the field, and a new more wide open offensive philosophy.
Although his father didn’t learn how to read until he was 20 years old, the importance of education was stressed to Calvin Hill from an early age. On Sunday night, the former Dallas Cowboy great further stressed the importance of education when he talked to the Midwestern State football team.
Hill was the guest speaker for Midwestern State University’s third annual “Welcome Back Dinner†at the Clark Student Center and also had a private talk with the team preceding the dinner.
The former NFL Rookie of the Year and the Cowboys’ first 1,000-yard rusher also stressed to them the importance of thinking about their actions and the consequences of those actions.
Time to rebuild for LSC champ Abilene Christian
Chris Thomsen faces one of his greatest challenges since taking over the Abilene Christian University football program four years ago. Gone are three of the greatest players to ever don the purple and white — quarterback Billy Malone, running back Bernard Scott and receiver Johnny Knox.
Those three combined for 217 touchdowns and 19,951 yards during their careers with the Wildcats. The loss of Scott alone — last season’s Division II player of the year — represents a loss of 204 points from last season’s Lone Star Conference championship team. That’s a lot of firepower gone, yet Thomsen is excited about the Wildcats’ reconstruction.
“Obviously those are some of the best players that have ever played here and this conference,†he said. “But you look at the guys who are coming to take their place. I’m just as excited about getting to coach them as I was coaching those guys last year. I think it presents a new challenge, especially for our offensive staff and our program in general. Can we replace those guys and still continue to be effective? We’re really excited about that.â€
Success makes rivals of ACU, West Texas A&M
For years, Abilene Christian University and West Texas A&M foundered in the Lone Star Conference. Then along came Chris Thomsen and Don Carthel — and one of the LSC’s fiercest rivalries quickly took shape.
“Whenever we play WT, it’s like the Dallas Cowboys against the 49ers, You know how those rivalries used to be,†ACU senior linebacker Bryson Lewis said. “It’s like Texas-OU. It’s just a good rivalry.â€
Since Thomsen took over at ACU in 2005, the Wildcats have become one of the elite teams in the LSC. ACU reached the playoffs in 2006 for the first time since 1977. The Wildcats have qualified for the playoffs three consecutive years and reached the second round of the playoffs the past two years. The Wildcats have won 10 or more games the last two years. It’s the first time that’s ever happened in consecutive years in the program’s history.
Tarleton offense shows improvement in final scrimmage
Tarleton State showed improvements on the offensive side of the ball in its final preseason intersquad scrimmage at Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
Uh-oh: Top back hurt
Buffs' Flemming dislocates left elbow; status for opener with Grand Valley St. uncertain
The goals of preseason camp vary - from replacing graduated starters to fine-tuning the offense and defense to getting players in shape.
Included among these objectives is to wrap it up without any significant injuries.
Unfortunately, the West Texas A&M Buffs did not accomplish all their goals.
Starting running back Keithon Flemming, the Lone Star Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, according to d2football.com, sustained a dislocated left elbow Saturday morning during the Buffs final preseason intrasquad scrimmage.
Flemming went down during the Buffs' fourth offensive series on a 6-yard run. The 6-0, 210-pounder from Mesquite had four carries for 17 yards and caught a one-yard touchdown pass before the injury.
Flemming was on his back for several minutes before being driven off the field in a pickup. His status will be determined next week, possibly by Monday.
"We don't know yet (the extent of Flemming's injury)," said WT head coach Don Carthel, whose team opens the regular season Saturday by hosting top-ranked Grand Valley State. "He is a tough kid and a big part of the offense. We will have to wait and see what the doctors say."
UIW's Nickerson makes push in final tuneup
Incarnate Word freshman quarterback Chase Nickerson's name didn't crack the two-deep depth chart the Cardinals unveiled Friday morning.
By that evening, the Central Catholic product had done his very best to change that in the coming weeks and months.
One of several standouts in UIW's final tuneup before next week's inaugural season opener against Monterrey Tech, Nickerson completed 8 of 11 passes for 67 yards in a two-quarter intrasquad scrimmage at Benson Stadium.
Defensive tackle Diego McClain also starred, recording three sacks and forcing two fumbles for the first team in a 20-3 victory over the Nickerson-led backups.
“This year, I'm just trying to make those guys in front of me work to know that I'm behind them just to make them better,†said Nickerson, who is probably a year away from fighting for significant playing time. “As long as I keep working, keep getting better, I can keep moving up that depth chart.†Related: First Impressions: Four players and the tales of how they became Cardinals Related: Three burning questions for UIW
Copy 'Cats: ACU looks at Northwest Missouri St. as program to emulate
Since Mel Tjeerdsma took over as Northwest Missouri State’s head football coach in 1994, few teams have been as good as the Bearcats in Division II.
In fact, since 2000, only one team — Grand Valley State (Mich.) — has won more games in Division II.
After going 0-11 his first season in 1994, Tjeerdsma has never had a losing season — dropping only 29 games total since and winning back-to-back national titles in 1998 and 1999. And of late, his Bearcats have owned Super Region Four — winning the region four consecutive years en route to the national title game.
OT Webb could be next Buff to turn pro
The breakfast menu Friday morning for West Texas A&M offensive lineman J'Marcus Webb consisted of a banana, a bowl of oatmeal, an energy bar and a bowl of cereal.
It was among 10 to 12 times Webb ate Friday.
At 6-foot-8 and 320 pounds, Webb - the largest of the Buffs with size-22 feet - has to chow like Kobayashi at a hot dog stand just to maintain his weight."My metabolism is pretty fast," Webb shrugged. "I gotta eat like that."
Wouldn't most people love to have that problem?
Webb is known for more than his prowess at the buffet table, though. The senior from Mesquite, where he was a Parade All-America, played in 12 games as a true freshman offensive tackle at the University of Texas in 2006. In 2007, Webb left UT for Navarro Junior College, where he was a first-team NJCAA All-America.
MSU special teams rounding into shape
Many times coaches will say the final outcome will come down to the kicking game.
The Midwestern State Mustangs have just about all aspects of the kicking game under control — although they are still a little iffy with the punter.
Former Hirschi standout Jose Martinez returns to handle PATs and field goals, while Lee Scott is back to take care of kickoffs and long field goals.
Head coach Bill Maskill is glad to have both kickers back, but would like to see a little more consistency.
“Everyday one of these guys has really shined during practice,†he said. “Unfortunately, it’s not the same one everyday. Jose has been a little inconsistent, but then he’s been consistent in the past. His big problem is if he hurries too much or tries to go too fast. It’s not the pressure of the kick. If he takes his time and gets set, he’s usually OK.
“Lee has looked real good. He’s going to handle the kickoffs and any field goal longer than 42 yards unless there’s wind behind us.â€
It took Midwestern State quarterback Zack Eskridge a few games to shake off the rust last season and get the Mustangs’ passing game going. And when he did, former Rockwall High School teammate Andy Tanner was one of his favorite receivers.
Tanner is back to be on the receiving end of Eskridge’s passes once again, as are Tyron Morrison and David Little, along with a group of newcomers as the Mustangs take strides to upgrade their passing attack.
“This is the best group I’ve ever had and they could end up being one of the best in the conference,†MSU offensive coordinator Dean Norsworthy said. “But the proof is in the pudding. They have to produce on Saturday nights for me to keep saying that.â€
LSC Fall Sports Preview Series: Texas A&M-Commerce
Despite many experienced and successful head coaches with strong pedigrees already in the Lone Star Conference, one of the most prestigious coaches in the conference is entering just his first season. But that doesn't make Texas A&M-Commerce head coach Guy Morriss a stranger to LSC football.
Morriss, a former head coach at Kentucky and Baylor, has East Texas ties and knows a thing or two about the history of the LSC, and more importantly, the current crop of talent.
"I grew up watching some of these teams. I remember Commerce when they were East Texas State," Morriss said. "And I blocked for guys like (Abilene Christian star) Wilbert Montgomery. So I know this conference has great players. I know we've got some of the very best teams on this level. It's going to be a challenge because from top to bottom, you have a tough game every week."
Brown back from Ole Miss for UIW football
Incarnate Word running back Keith Brown had it easy when getting dressed in the Mississippi locker room for the past year. He'd slip into his speed suit, lace up his track spikes and be on his way.
So after leaving the Ole Miss track team to give football another shot at UIW, he had some anxiety while putting on football pads for the first time since his days at Steele High School, as training camp began earlier this month.
“What if I forget how to do this or how to hook up my helmet?'†he worried. “But eventually, it all came back to me naturally.â€
A&M-Kingsville finds new athletic director
KINGSVILLE — It only took about six weeks for Texas A&M-Kingsville to find a new athletics director that was as comfortable with the university as it was with him. Ken Oliver is that person. He was announced on Thursday as the successor to Scott Gines to direct the Javelinas’ 10 intercollegiate sports. Oliver, 39, was signed to a three-year contract. His starting date is Sept. 1.
“No. 1, we always wanted to be at an NCAA school,†said Oliver, who for the last 10.5 years has served in a variety of roles at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. “That was a big part of it. There are basically two conferences that I believe are the premier conferences in NCAA Division II and that’s the Lone Star Conference and the MIAA. My wife is from Iowa and she said she didn’t want to go north, she wanted to go south."
After being just on the outside looking in, the Texans look to break through in 2008. With the return of Roderick Smith ( LSC South preseason offensive player of the year), two year starting QB Scott Grantham, and Devin Guinn on offense and a defense led by Marcus Phillips, this may just be the Texan's year.
2009 Preview - Southeastern Oklahoma
After struggling early in the season, the Savage Storm finished 2008 strong, winning 5 of their final 6 games, finishing second in the LSC North. Will the return of 13 first, second and honorable mention players help SOSU get out of the gates faster this fall?
2009 Preview - Texas A&M-Kingsville
The Javelinas took a big step back their winning ways last year. After two consecutive 3-8 seasons, Texas A&M-Kingsville finished 2008 with a 7-4 record, and just one spot out of the NCAA playoffs. With seventeen starters returning, close won't be good enough in 2009.
2009 Preview - Southwestern Oklahoma
New coach Dan Cocannouer will rely on 13 returning starters to improve on 2008's disappointing 3-8 record.
2009 Preview - Midwestern State
The Mustangs were entering unchartered waters last season - the post-Daniel Polk era. It took a while for the offense to find its footing, but by season's end had gelled into a productive unit, led by QB Zack Eskeridge. With a year under his belt, will they take the next step forward?
2009 Preview - East Central University
Another LSC North team with a new coach, (although Tim McCarty was the HC in 2004 and 2005) the Tigers will be trying for their first winning season since 2004. Fourteen returning starters, led by two-time LSC North first team all conference quarterback Marcus Johnson look to lead the Tigers back to respectability.
Mustangs returning experienced players to their secondary
With four seniors and a junior returning in the secondary, the Midwestern State Mustangs appear to have a great deal of experience — and they do. But one of the seniors, Danny Jackson, will be playing a new position, free safety, leaving that group as another question mark for the team.
“This is a senior-laden group, and I expect them to execute and be a group that gets better every day,†MSU secondary coach Nate Jones said. “They work hard and pay attention to details. They’re very focused. Each one has a different strength, and we try to get them to play to their strengths.â€
Jackson (6-0, 193) played corner last year but, because of his size, was moved in the spring to shore up the free safety spot.
“He was a big corner with skills to move inside,†Jones said. “His potential is unlimited, but he just needs to stay focused.â€
LSC Fall Sports Preview Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville
No team owns more LSC football championships than Texas A&M-Kingsville, a 26-time winner of the conference crown. The Javelinas haven't won the LSC or made the playoffs since 2004, but third-year head coach Bo Atterberry knows his team isn't too far away. In fact, Kingsville just missed the playoffs in 2008, finishing 7-4 and seventh in the regional football rankings, just one spot out of the playoffs. While his team was picked to finish fourth in the LSC South, Atterberry was surprised by that preseason ranking and expects a much stronger finish from his football team.
"I hope those great minds weren't right," Atterberry halfway joked at the LSC Football Media Days, referring to the coaches' preseason picks. "This might be my last media day if we finish fourth. But that's the way we like it. We've got a lot of guys returning and I think we're going to have a team that can compete for a championship."
Click here to see video from LSC Football Media Day
The Javelinas have 16 returning starters - eight on defense and eight on offense. The leader of that group unquestionably is senior quarterback Billy Garza, a transfer from Illinois two years ago. Garza, an honorable mention LSC pick last year, passed for 2,787 yards and 23 touchdowns, and added four more scores on the ground.
"It all starts with Billy Garza," Atterberry said of his offense. "We're looking for some big things out of him in his second season with us."
Viewpoint: Student athletes are not the exception to the rule
Recently, former Clark High School football star Jerrell Wilkerson was dismissed by the new University of the Incarnate Word football program. The reasons given: poor academics and disciplinary problems.
With the high school football season starting next weekend, I asked myself: Who will be the next Jerrell Wilkerson? Wilkerson graduated Clark in 2005. He was a phenomenal football player.
In the fall of 2005, he attended the University of Texas at Austin on a football scholarship. He left UT before the season ended. He has not played football since then. He now has a child, but has no skills to support a family. I think I know where this began to unravel ..
CORPUS CHRISTI — KINGSVILLE: Eleven days remain until Texas A&M-Kingsville opens the football season at home against fourth-ranked Delta (Miss.) State. Fortunately for the Javelinas and third-year coach Bo Atterberry, the team appears to be on the proper course.
A&M-Kingsville, which is ranked 24th in the country in D2Football.com’s preseason poll, went through its final scrimmage late Tuesday afternoon. It was a controlled atmosphere that put a premium on game-type situations with game officials from the Lone Star Conference working the scrimmage. While Atterberry was pleased with the players’ effort, the Javelinas by no means are a finished product.
“I’d say we’re father than we’ve been the past couple of years. But like I told the guys, that’s expected. We should be farther along,†Atterberry said. “We’ve still got quite a bit of work to do. That (scrimmage) was different for them and I’m glad we did it because we did not operate tonight like a football team that’s going to win very many football games if we react to transitions in games like that.â€
Cafeteria forces MSU onto field a bit early
The Midwestern State Mustangs got out of practice early on Tuesday, but it wasn’t for anything they did. The cafeteria schedule at MSU forced the football team to begin practice an hour ealier than normal in order to give the players time to eat. So the afternoon practices from now on will be from 3:25-6:15 p.m.
If MSU head coach Bill Maskill had had his way, however, the Mustangs might still be practicing as the veteran coach wasn’t very happy with his team.
“They looked real tired out there,†Maskill said. “And they really have to learn how to push through it. Everybody in America is tired right now. We have to do a better job.â€
Buffs ranked in polls
If preseason college football rankings are any indication, the West Texas A&M Buffs are going to find out quickly where they stand. Two preseason polls were released Monday, with the Buffs ranked No. 11 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll and 12th by D2Football.com.
What stands out is the strength of WT's schedule. The Buffs will be facing three ranked teams in their first three games of the season, including the No. 1 team in the nation.
The Buffs open the season Aug. 29, hosting Grand Valley State at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The Lakers are ranked No. 1 in both of the aforementioned polls. In Week 2 (Sept. 5), the Buffs host Central Oklahoma - No.. 16 in the AFCA poll. The Buffs then travel Sept. 12 to Ellensburg, Wash., to take on Central Washington - 14th in both polls. The Buffs also face Texas A&M-Kingsville Sept. 26 - No. 24 in the D2Football poll - and Abilene Christian on Oct. 17 - No. 6 in the D2Football poll and fifth in the AFCA rankings.
A&M-Commerce misses cracking Top 25 poll
Texas A&M University-Commerce’s football team was close but didn’t quite make the top 25 in the American Football Coaches Association’s preseason poll. The Lions, under new head coach Guy Morriss, totaled 38 points to miss cracking the top 25 by five spots.
Three of their Lone Star Conference rivals made the top 25 with defending conference champion Abilene Christian at No. 5, West Texas A&M at No. 11, Central Oklahoma at No. 16.
Last year the Midwestern State Mustangs had an all-out battle for the starting quarterback spot as they had to replace record-setting signal-caller Daniel Polk.
Transfer Zack Eskridge won that battle and is now firmly entrenched as the No. 1 man.
There is another battle going on this preseason, but this time it is for the backup role.
“It’s a Battle Royale,†MSU offensive coordinator Dean Norsworthy said. “Benny Mac (Ben McMahan) came out of the spring as the No. 2 guy and has played well, but Brad Green came out strong and was challenging him until he got sick and fell behind. Brandon Kelsey came back and is right in the thick of things. Because of his athleticism we might have to use him for some spot play. He’s exceeded expectations.â€
Buffs ranked in polls
If preseason college football rankings are any indication, the West Texas A&M Buffs are going to find out quickly where they stand.
Two preseason polls were released Monday, with the Buffs ranked No. 11 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches Poll and 12th by D2Football.com. What stands out is the strength of WT's schedule.
The Buffs will be facing three ranked teams in their first three games of the season, including the No. 1 team in the nation.
Mathis named to D2Football.com All-LSC Preseason Team
WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Midwestern State senior running back BeeJay Mathis garnered D2Football.com Preseason All-Lone Star Conference honors as released Monday morning.
The 5-9, 185-pounder from Dallas earned second-team Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 4 honors and was a first-team All-LSC performer as a return specialist last season after finishing eighth in NCAA Division II with a 15.6-yard return average.
For the complete Preseason Poll, All American selections and LSC Team list go to the LSC Scoop.
The Midwestern State Mustangs have plenty of question marks on defense as they enter the 2009 season. But nowhere is there more uncertainty than in the linebacking corps where only one player — inside linebacker Emmanuel Bagley — has much experience. The fifth-year senior (6-1, 221) started all 10 games and led the Mustangs in tackles last year with 65.
“We’re a young group and very inexperienced with only one guy who has started and seen much playing time,†said defensive coordinator Rich Renner, who also coaches the linebackers. “This is the biggest question mark and will be our most challenging position. It’s a challenge for me to patient and help them grow through the season. They work really hard and do everything I ask of them. Because we’re young, we’re going to make some mistakes. But I think we can work through that and get better as the season goes on.â€
UCO Holds Final Scrimmage
Tulsa - Central Oklahoma continued preparations for the upcoming football season with its final major intrasquad scrimmage Saturday in Edmond. The Bronchos are the defending Lone Star Conference champions and are expected to repeat this season. In Saturday's 68-play scrimmage, several players didn't play to heal up from some minor injuries. But, for the most part, head coach Tracy Holland liked what he saw.
"It was a good scrimmage and we definitely look better than we did at this time last year," said Holland. "I saw a lot of good things, but we had too many busted assignments and we've got to get more consistency across the board."
Sophomore receiver Preston Runyan had two catches in the scrimmage and both went for scores, one for 19 yards from Taylor McBane and the other from Brandon Noohi covering 22 yards. Josh Birmingham also had a 70-yard touchdown run. He's a freshman who won't even play this year. He's expected to redshirt, but his long run gave the Bronchos something to look forward to next year.
In the Nick of Time (August 15)
In the three summers that the Lone Star Conference has held a media day, Mark Ribaudo has always been No. 1.. No. 1 to the podium that is. The coach of the team picked last is always the first to talk. Ribaudo’s Eastern New Mexico team has been the preseason dead-last pick in the LSC South for three straight years. What’s worse is the polls have been right. The Greyhounds are 1-17 in the division in those three seasons.
“I’m dang tired of it. Super tired,†he told me. “We need to do something about it.â€
Ribaudo knows a bad football program can be turned around. His first season as a graduate assistant at Midwestern State was 1990 when the non-scholarship program was 3-7. Then he spent a couple years as an assistant at West Texas A&M when the Buffaloes were 1-9 and 3-6.
“I remember where the Midwestern program was 19 years ago,†Ribaudo said. “Our weight room was a dance studio. The intramural teams would kick us off our practice field. I have seen where that program and where the West Texas program have gone. Progress can be made.â€
Fort Gibson grad has hefty task at NSU
TAHLEQUAH — Trey McVay hasn’t had time to be wide-eyed. Since stepping on the Northeastern State campus, he’s gone through a series of changes and the biggest one comes up this season. The Fort Gibson High School graduate steps into the No. 1 wide receiver position, replacing Jarrett Byers, now on the roster of the St. Louis Rams in the National Football League. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen every day — and particularly so on the NSU campus.
“It’s definitely big shoes to fill. He was a great wide receiver,†McVay said. “But I don’t want to live in his shoes. I want to be better than him.â€
Before Byers left and signed a free agent deal with the Rams after being bypassed in the NFL draft, he pulled McVay aside and gave him pointers about the position such as nudging the defensive back when the officials aren’t looking, timing jumps for the ball and being quick off the line of scrimmage.
“I definitely learned a lot from him. I’m glad to have him as a mentor,†McVay said. “You can’t ask for one better than that that. It was the perfect situation for me.â€
Right place, right time: Former ASU, NFL receiver Garrett savors championship memories
For many athletes, winning a championship at any level is the pinnacle of a career. Alvin Garrett is one of the few who can say he has been to the mountaintop twice. Garrett, the former Angelo State receiver, helped the Rams and head coach Jim Hess capture the NAIA national championship in 1978.
Just four years later, he would hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy as a Washington Redskin after winning Super Bowl XVII. Garrett would play two more years in the NFL, but the two titles would mark the height of his football days.
Null glad to take his first snaps
ST. LOUIS -- There was no time for St. Louis Rams rookie quarterback Keith Null to get any butterflies in his stomach. Null entered the Rams' 23-20 win over the New York Jets on Friday night after quarterback Brock Berlin injured his knee being tackled to the turf on an incomplete pass with 9:41 left in the fourth quarter.
"I didn't have any time to get nervous, that's for sure," Null said. "I knew I was going in a series or two later, and then all of the sudden he went down, and I had to pop right in. I just got out there and went at it."
Null, a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of West Texas A&M, completed both of his pass attempts in the game. He threw a 3-yard pass to Chris Ogbonnaya and later threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Sean Walker.
"I think with every player, you get out there and you're just playing football again just like you always have," Null said. "That's what it was like for me."
"I definitely feel like I can play at this level," Null said. "The more that I am here, the more that I am practicing and getting better. I keep getting more and more comfortable with everything."Related: HART: Injuries hamper former local standouts in the NFLRelated: Bears need rookie WRs to step upRelated: Chargers: More Good Than Bad in LossRelated: CHARGERS: Martin has strong showing in first game
Former Mac player adjusts to new team
Marc Kinney arrived at Texas A&M-Kingsville this past spring to get an idea of the Javelinas’ way of doing things.
Kinney, a former MacArthur defensive back who transferred to A&M-Kingsville from Cisco Junior College, got acquainted with his new teammates and became familiar with the Javelinas’ defensive scheme.
It has been an adjustment, but Kinney is feeling more comfortable each day. Now, he’s looking forward to showing off his ability when the season gets under way.
“Coming in the spring was good for me,†Kinney said. “I’ve gotten bigger and quicker. I feel like I am a better player. I was a decent defensive back in high school, but it is different in college. There’s a totally different way of covering receivers. I’m learning that here.â€
Rams sharp in first intrasquad scrimmage
The Angelo State University football team concluded its first week of practice with an intrasquad scrimmage Friday at the LeGrand Sports Complex.
With their season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce just two weeks away, the Rams are preparing to put last year’s 3-8 season behind them. ASU returns 43 players, including 14 starters from last year’s team, which not only gives them some depth but puts them ahead of where they were at this point last year.
“We are definitely ahead of where we were last year,†quarterback Josh Neiswander said. “We have more numbers. We have a lot of playmakers this year. Our defense is doing well. We are excited on both sides of the ball.â€
Neiswander is one of the team’s returnees on offense. He is returning to form after missing almost all of last season with a broken leg he suffered in the team’s season opener against Texas State.
Buffs look sharp during scrimmage
It may have been the middle of August, but at times the West Texas A&M football team looked in midseason form during Saturday morning's controlled two hour scrimmage at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
For example, when redshirt freshman defensive back Curtis Slater unloaded on sophomore wide receiver Tramicah Young on a pass over the middle from sophomore quarterback Brandon Hicks - the impact was as crisp as an October evening.
Then there was the reaction from the Buffs offensive unit compared to the defensive unit over a disputed touchdown catch from redshirt freshman quarterback Tanner Marsh to junior running back Kelvin Thompson. The play might as well have occurred on a November afternoon, judging by the way the offense vehemently lobbied on the sidelines - with senior kicker James Chandler leading the way - while the defense loudly protested on the far sideline.
Mustangs continue season prep
The Midwestern State offense had more than its share of big plays Saturday, scoring three times during the regular scrimmage and three straight times in goal-line situations. But the defense had a couple of big plays of its own and allowed only one score in four chances in the Red Zone. It left head coach Bill Maskill with mixed feelings as the Mustangs finished their first full week of workouts.
“There was some good hitting out here, a lot of good hitting,†Maskill said. “And we’re getting in better shape every day. But we had too many penalties. The defense gave up too many big plays, but then I didn’t like the offense getting in the scoring zone and not putting the ball in the end zone. I did like the way the offense was moving the ball. And the defense is getting better every day breaking on the ball. I saw a lot of good things and some things we have to work on.â€
Brothers in Arms: Midwestern St. team features three sets of brothers
When the Midwestern State Mustangs have gone on the road over the past two seasons, one question has been asked in almost every pressbox in the Lone Star Conference.
“Are those guys related?â€
The question was about talented running backs BeeJay and Marcus Mathis.
For the record, the answer is no. But the Mustangs do have three sets of brothers on their 2009 team — Clifton and Brandon Washington, Andy and Matt Tanner and Tyler and Travis Maner.
“It says something about the kids that they’re not afraid to follow in their brother’s footsteps,†MSU head coach Bill Maskill said. “They can be comfortable having their older or younger brother here and they can still be themselves.â€
All three sets of brothers have a slightly different story.
Scott shines in preseason debut
NEW ORLEANS — Former Vernon standout Bernard Scott led the Cincinnati Bengals in rushing in his NFL preseason debut Friday night. Scott, a sixth-round pick in the 2009 NFL draft, rushed for 30 yards on six carries. He also had one catch for 12 yards in Cincinnati’s 17-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Scott won the 2008 Harlon Hill Trophy after a superb senior season for Abilene Christian.
Most teams would be happy to have either one of the top two running backs on the Midwestern State depth chart. But the Mustangs are selfish and they have no intention of sharing. They intend to take full advantage of the 1-2 punch supplied by senior BeeJay Mathis and junior Marcus Mathis — no relation — as they try to work their way back into the NCAA Division II playoffs.
“What’s great about those two is they have a few similarities and then they have a few traits that are different from the other one,†said offensive coordinator Dean Norsworthy. “I think Marcus is a little faster, while BeeJay is a little shiftier. He’s also in 100-times better shape than last year and it’s paying off. They’re both experienced, tough runners and leaders. They’ll allow us to lean on the running game if we need to.â€
SWO FOOTBALLT EAM ADDS TWO NEW ASSISTANTS
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University football coach Dan Cocannouerannounced the hiring of Dwayne Turner and Bradley Reents as the newest members of the Bulldog football coaching staff. Turner will serve as the graduate assistant in charge of running backs while Reents will oversee the wide receivers.
“We’re excited about the addition of both Dwayne and Bradley to our staff,†Cocannouer said. “Both are experienced football coaches who are the type of people we want teaching and leading our young men.â€
LSC Fall Sports Preview Series: Southwestern Oklahoma State
Exactly 20 years after finishing up a graduate assistant term, Dan Cocannouer returns to Weatherford and his alma mater as the new head coach of the Bulldogs. Cocannouer was one of the most prestigious high school coaches in the state of Oklahoma, but now turns his attention to resurrecting SWOSU, which finished 3-8 overall last season.
"This is a dream come true for me," Cocannouer said. "This is where I got my start more than 30 years ago and it always has been a special place to me."
Although he might be new to this particular team, Cocannouer will coach some familiar faces, particularly senior quarterback Steve Day, who played under Cocannouer at Edmond Santa Fe High School, where they played in the Class 6A state championship game in 2003. And Day carried that success into the collegiate level, where he was an honorable mention All-LSC pick last year, passing for 2,561 yards, 18 touchdowns, despite 17 interceptions.
LSC Fall Sports Preview Series: Tarleton State
A year ago, the Texans looked primed and ready to end a playoff drought that dates back to 2003. Tarleton ripped off five straight wins to a 5-0 start and figured to be in the mix for the postseason regional rankings. But Tarleton lost three LSC South games down the stretch, including a 51-0 defeat at West Texas A&M in the season finale that hasn't been forgotten in Stephenville this off-season.
Tarleton head coach Sam McElroy enters his fifth season and brings a 30-12 overall record in that span. But while McElroy has kept the Texans near the top of the conference standings every year, his goal this year is to get his team over the hump and be a more competitive team late in the season.
"We've been close to doing what everyone wants us to do, and that's win a championship and playoffs," McElroy said. "And it's been frustrating to be close. Each year, we're where we all want to be, playing for a chance at a championship and playoffs. But we haven't gotten over the top. We were very disappointed when we left Canyon. WTAMU got after us pretty good. But since that day, I've seen a group of men commit themselves to the goal. Our guys have stayed focused and I hope that means great things for us in the fall."
Click here to see video from LSC Football Media Day
Texas A&M-Kingsville returns bevy of talent
KINGSVILLE — The scorching South Texas heat is doing nothing to chill the enthusiasm and expectations in and around the Texas A&M-Kingsville football camp. With 40 lettermen, 16 starters and both kickers back in the fold, curbing that anticipation won’t be an easy task.
“Our expectations are high this year. We’ve got everybody basically coming back,†junior wide receiver Ryan Lincoln said during Wednesday’s Media Day. “I think we can fill everybody’s shoes. I think we should turn out to be way better than last year, so our expectations are high for this year.â€
The Javelinas are coming off a 7-4 season and third-place finish in the Lone Star Conference South Division. That followed successive 3-8 campaigns that marked the end of Richard Cundiff’s run and the beginning of Bo Atterberry’s era as A&M-Kingsville’s coach. Thus the four-game improvement has the Javelinas teeming with confidence despite a prediction to finish fourth in the seven-team LSC South.
Carey making plans for physical offensive attack
Scott Carey knows one thing for sure as Tarleton State enters its 2009 football campaign - the offense has to be physical. And if anyone knows something about being physical, it’s a former lineman.
Senior moment
On a team with lots of experience, the Midwestern State defensive line seems to have more than its fair share. With four seniors — two of them fifth-year seniors — along with a pair of sophomores who saw a great deal of playing time last year, the defensive front is definitely a strong point for the Mustangs heading into the 2009 season.
“We’ve got some depth at (defensive) end with three returning players who played a majority of the time last year,†D-line coach Richard Lage said. “And inside, all the returning kids saw time in every game. So we have a good nucleus with four seniors up front who will give us the leadership we need. But then we also have a good nucleus of people coming in that will give us some good depth up front.â€
UIW tight end Mocio makes name for himself
Walk-ons such as Incarnate Word's Andrew Mocio typically receive something less than a where-have-you-been-my-whole-life, bear-hug welcome from their coaches. True to form, quarterback Thomas Specia is certain coach Mike Santiago didn't even know the tight end's name for much of last year.
Neither did Specia, for that matter. Then Mocio took the field in fall drills, forcing everyone to learn his name while making them quickly forget he was a walk-on.
“Where ya been? I've been looking for you for 33 years,†Santiago told Mocio then.
Tall, athletic and powerful at the point of attack, Mocio is the kind of matchup problem-creating tight end Santiago had been searching for his entire coaching career.
UIW Cardinals: Part of a historic moment
Sporting new, crisp black and red jerseys, Incarnate Word's football team stepped out of the Benson Field House and onto the well-manicured field it will call home. With the coaching staff and members of the media looking on, one by one they lined up in the end zone, taking their spots for the program's first team photo.
As the camera quickly captured the image, it occurred to Todd Walker what exactly it all meant.
“It's crazy,†the former Texas Tech wide receiver said. “We're probably going to have our picture up forever. It's just a great opportunity.â€
'Just go out and play football'
Keith Null has never been to New York. Never been to an NFL game. During his entire college career at West Texas A&M, the team took only one plane trip. (Everything else was via bus.) So Friday's preseason opener against the New York Jets will be more than just a football game for Null. Call it Keith's Big Adventure. During pregame, he might be the guy gawking at the sights and sounds of Giants Stadium.
"I'm sure it's going to be an experience," Null said. "I can't wait. It's going to be a lot of fun."
A sixth-round draft pick by the Rams in April, Null is competing with Brock Berlin for the No. 3 quarterback job. The pride of Lampasas, Texas, Null threw for 9,231 yards and 89 touchdowns during his final two seasons with the NCAA Division II Buffaloes.
Rookie's goal: Make Chargers say, 'We've got to keep this guy'
SAN DIEGO – Philip Rivers breaks into that good-ol' boy, Southern drawl when asked about Charly Martin.
“He's one of those guys who as camp goes on, he just grows on you,†said the Chargers quarterback. “I expect him to make some plays in the preseason.â€
Which, unless you're a roster-memorizing, summer-camp Bolts fanatic, begs one question: Who's Charly Martin? He's a 25-year-old rookie free agent wide receiver out of Division II West Texas A&M. A guy who admits the odds against him are long. A guy who happily signed for a $5,000 bonus because all he wants is a chance to prove he can play at the next level.
When building a house, a solid foundation is necessary. The same is true for a football team. And it doesn’t hurt if the players that make up that foundation are as big as houses. That’s what Midwestern State offensive line coach Brian Natkin is working with as the Mustangs get ready for the 2009 football season.
“We’ve got four seniors in the starting lineup and they’re able to provide a great deal of leadership,†said Natkin, who played collegiately at UTEP and professionally with the Tennessee Titans. “One of their strengths is their experience. They’ve played a lot of football games, and they’ve played a lot of football games together.. It’s crucial having guys that have been there, that have experience. They can pass on to the rest of the team what to expect. There are usually no surprises for them.â€
2009 Preview - Angelo State
The Rams will be looking to make a 2005-style leap back into the playoffs. A healthy Josh Neiswander helps, but did they surround him with enough weapons to compete in the tough LSC South?
2009 Preview - Northeastern State
Wins were scarce for the Riverhawks in 2009. But with an influx of new talent on the field and the sidelines, can Northeastern State challenge for the LSC North title.
2009 Preview - Eastern New Mexico
The young Greyhounds struggled last year while implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball. Will 2009 take them in the right direction, or will they struggle once again?
KINGSVILLE — The first two days of preseason workouts for Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team have, in the estimation of coach Bo Atterberry, been as efficient as any of his three previous seasons at the helm.
That is a good thing for the 2009 edition of the Javelinas, because before the first helmet was donned on Friday came word that they will be without a key defensive cog.
Three-year letterman Jimmy Lugo, a standout defensive end from Alice, has been declared ineligible because of academic reasons. The 6-foot-1, 247-pounder was named a preseason Honorable Mention All-America by the Consensus Draft Services.
“In this game there’s a lot more to it than just showing up and playing,†Atterberry said. “You’ve got to take of your business in the classroom. It’s just unfortunate, but we’re going to move on.â€
A&M Commerce's Morriss hopes to turn around his career and Lions' program
Guy Morriss is a nice, likeable guy. He was cordial and answered every question at the Lone Star Conference media day a few weeks ago in Addison.
But I wonder, does he get tired of answering questions about his time at Baylor?
Emergence of a leader
During passing drills at West Texas A&M's third day of football training camp Saturday morning, Buffs junior quarterback Taylor Harris wasn't playing mind games when he yelled at his teammates to "wake up!"
It would be understandable if he had been.
Harris is a psychology major and plans someday to be a family counselor or sports psychologist. Why not hone his craft by getting into the heads of his teammates?
"Nope. That was all quarterback," Harris said of his rather vocal encouragement. "We were having a rough start and had some young guys out there. We can't let them think it was a half-effort kind of day. I put it on my shoulders when we're not doing well. I would rather take the blame than them. I would rather they get motivated through me."
Midwestern State gets in third workout
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest and Midwestern State head football coach Bill Maskill thinks the little extra rest the Mustangs got on Sunday paid big dividends when it came time for their afternoon workout.
The result was a “crisper†practice for the team’s third preseason workout.
“Because they got to sleep a little later and we went to church instead of having meetings, they kind of looked at it as a day off,†he said. “I slept a little later than I usually do and I had a little more pep in my step.
“So they came back this afternoon a little fresher and that was good. We were a lot crisper and we’re learning how to practice better. We went from one drill to the next faster and the kids are starting to understand their assignments better and they’re executing better.â€
Failing times earn MSU players some extra runningAlmost half of the Midwestern State Mustangs did a little extra running at the end of practice on Saturday. Their crime: Failing to complete Friday’s 300-yard shuttle runs in time.That earned them three gassers — from sideline to sideline — after running six 100-yard sprints to close practice.
In all, 46 of the 106 who were tested on Friday failed to complete the shuttle runs in the time they are allotted. Of the 46, 27 were newcomers — a number which the MSU coaches weren’t surprised by. But that also means 19 returning players didn’t make it and the coaching staff isn’t happy about that.
“That’s not a good number,†head coach Bill Maskill said of the 46 who failed. “That’s almost half of what we have out here. We need a lot more conditioning. I wanted them to run 10 sprints, but I don’t think they would have made it. We’re just not in shape yet. Before we can take the next step, we have to get our legs under us and be in good shape. and it gets harder tomorrow when we add shoulder pads.â€
Testing begins early for MSU playersWhile classes won’t start on the Midwestern State campus for another two weeks, many members of the Mustangs football team took their first collegiate test on Friday afternoon.
This test won’t count any toward their GPA, nor will it make any difference in when they will graduate. It could, however, determine how much playing time they see over the next few week.
Javelina Football Workouts Begin (Video)
Javelinas: Back To Work
DeAngelis among finalists for Javelinas AD
Null draws comparisons to former Rams star Warner
Cooper graduate Blake Spears was a bit wide-eyed on his first day of practice Thursday with the Abilene Christian University football team.
“It’s a lot different than what I expected,†Spears said. “The level is just so much higher than it was in high school. The competition has gone up tremendously. I don’t even know how to explain it. But it was fun to learn what’s going on and see just how everything’s done. I think I’ll catch up pretty quickly.â€
Buffs get to work
West Texas A&M football coach Don Carthel opened his fifth season with the Buffs on Thursday afternoon in 95-degree heat at the WT practice field in Canyon.
Carthel said 142 players - freshmen and varsity combined - were on hand for the first workout in shorts and helmets. The Buffs will conduct an 18-day camp before classes open Aug. 24. They open their season Aug. 29 at home against highly regarded Grand Valley State.
"I'm pleased with what I saw for a first day," Carthel said. "You look for different things out there, and I saw a lot I liked."
For UIW, the only direction to go is up
This time last summer, Incarnate Word football seemed like little more than an idea. A project that, with scarce evidence to prove otherwise, was a tease, if not downright fiction. Sure, coaches and players had already begun migrating onto the campus off U.S. Highway 281, but the pads were stowed away and no games were in sight. When the players did begin practicing, their only target was an endless string of more workouts.
All that changed Thursday. Twenty-eight months after UIW president Louis Agnese and benefactor Tom Benson announced intentions to start football, coach Mike Santiago blew his whistle at 2 p.m. sharp to kick off the program's first training camp practice at Benson Stadium.
UIW notebook: Lyons practices day after car wreck
A day after walking away from a car accident in which he was trapped inside his upside-down vehicle, Incarnate Word safety Todd Lyons worked out with no limitations in the Cardinals' first training camp practice Thursday.
“I feel good,†he said. “I still think about (the accident) from time to time. I definitely was thinking about it last night. I prayed extra hard.â€
The freshman from Humble said he woke up with a stiff neck and pain in his side and back, but that it all went away by the time practice began.
First Offer For Offensive Tackle
From team websites and blogs...
SOSU: Football Signals Return of Athletic Season
ACU: #3, Part 2
ACU: Wildcats begin LSC title defense
ASU: Rams Report Back Friday
UCO: Bronchos Ready To Start Practice
SOSU: Video interview with Head Coach Ray Richards
Midwestern State head football coach Bill Maskill has no doubt the Mustangs will be a good football team in 2009. The next few weeks will determine just how good they can and will be.
“We need to develop some depth in a few places, but we’re going to be OK,†said Maskill, who is beginning his eighth season as the Mustangs coach.
Recruits have big shoes to fill at ACUTony Washington will be surrounded by some new faces when the Abilene Christian University football team begins practice at 4 p.m. today at the school’s practice field. The Wildcats lost 25 players from last year’s 11-1 Lone Star Conference championship team, including some of the program’s all-time greats in running back Bernard Scott, receiver Johnny Knox and quarterback Billy Malone.
“It’s a little bit different, but we’ve got some guys coming in and we’ve got a bunch of returners on the offensive line,†said Washington, a senior and returning starter at left offensive tackle. “So we’ve got some vets up front. We’ve got some pretty good recruits coming in. I think we’ll be all right. I hope we’ll be all right.â€
Let's get startedAfter posing for pictures and meeting with the area media Wednesday, the West Texas A&M football team officially kicks off its season today with the first day of practice. As far as the players are concerned, the season is starting on an ominous note.
Fifth-year WT head coach Don Carthel has promised this camp will be his most physical - so the pads will be popping early and often. Not that the Buffs are dreading what awaits them, though.
West Texas A&M football: Carthel adjustsWest Texas A&M fans might have to buy a program this year to figure out who is playing, because star players from the last few years have completed their playing days.
Quarterback Keith Null? His 5,097 passing yards last year helped make him a sixth-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams. Wide receiver Charly Martin? The Lone Star Conference all-time leading receiver in yards, touchdowns and receptions is running pass patterns for the San Diego Chargers. All-American linebacker Jared Brock? His team-leading 83 tackles in 2008 have gone the way of graduation.
But before the word rebuilding is associated with the Buffs, hear out fifth-year wide receiver Sedrick Knowlton and know fifth-year coach Don Carthel and his staff have already made a change to help overcome the losses.
For Zack Eskridge, overcoming doubts is nothing newIn high school Zack Eskridge once had a coach tell him he was the worst quarterback in the state of Texas. He didn’t believe it. But he also didn’t have any real evidence to dispute it. Eskridge had been a backup quarterback both years in junior high; played on the “B†team as a freshman and on the JV as a sophomore. He split time with another quarterback his junior year.
It wasn’t until his senior year when Coach Scott Smith brought the spread offense to Rockwall High that Eskridge got to prove that old coach wrong. He started that season and played well enough to earn a full scholarship to TCU.
UIW's Jerrell Wilkerson suspended permanentlyBefore the Jerrell Wilkerson era could even officially get under way at the University of the Incarnate Word, it has come to an unceremonious end. Already on academic suspension at UIW, the city's career high school rushing leader has been suspended permanently by the school for academic and disciplinary reasons, coach Mike Santiago said.
“He was just not complying with academic and disciplinary rules at the university,†Santiago said. Santiago said that the “door is shut†on the former Clark star participating in the program this year. As to if the issue could be revisited in subsequent seasons, Santiago did not entirely rule out the suspension being lifted, saying he would “never close the door on anything, but we would not actively pursue that.â€
The Lone Star Conference hosted the 2009 Football Preseason Media Day Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Suites in Addison, using the event to announce the league preseason polls and awards while allowing the media an opportunity to hear from the LSC football head coaches and also visit with the coaches and student-athletes. Every LSC head football coach, preseason player of the year honorees and over two dozen media members were there to help kick off the fall season.
Central Oklahoma - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe Bronchos were the surprise team of 2009. To continue their winning ways in 2009, most of the offensive line and secondary need to be replaced. Longer term, there are seniors at most positions that Coach Holland needs to find replacements for as well.
Tarleton State - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe Texans have some openings in the offensive line, defensive secondary and at linebacker and need to prepare for after 2009, due to a senior-laden squad this fall.
Southeastern Oklahoma - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe Savage Storm finished strong last year and return the bulk of their offense. One spot that is open is at QB, but Coach Richards was able to land a Division I transfer to compete for that spot. Defensively, there are more spots that need attention.
UIW kicks off football with first spring game
Other team news:UIW walk-on won't let goal go incompleteHounds seek improvementBeen there, done thatFugett gets old duties back Glad to be backECU opens spring football drills Two SOSU football players arrested for assault & battery (with video)
ACU Spring GameAbilene Christian has some questions they need to have answered before kicking off against Northwest Missouri in the fall. No position is receiving more scrutiny than QB where Clark Harrell and Michell Gale are battling this spring, and will be joined in the fall by Zach Stewart, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.Related: ACU Wrapup
WTAM Spring GameWest Texas A&M has to replace a record setting quarterback as well. Mother Nature did not cooperate, and windy conditions made for an inconsistent day for the candidates to replace Keith Null.Related: WTAM Wrapup
MSU Spring GameMidwestern State does return their starting quarterback, and Zach Eskeridge had a stellar spring game, completing 16-20 passes for 269 yards and 4 touchdowns.Related: MSU Wrapup
Northeastern State - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe Riverhawks struggled on both sides of the ball last year - and their top players were seniors. Coach Kenny Evans tries to fill those holes and upgrade at the other positions as NSU looks to improve on last years 1-10 record.
Eastern New Mexico - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe Greyhounds knew they would take some lumps last year. Not only did they toss out the option offense and install the spread, but they did it with a lot of true freshman. This year, they went into recruiting with a better idea of where they needed more help, and some spots in which they were okay. On the defensive side, they just need to improve - they lost their best defensive players, from a squad that was last in the LSC in yards allowed and second to last in points allowed.
East Central - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe return of Tim McCarty to the sidelines in Ada meant a change in recruiting philosphies. No longer would ECU rely so heavily on transfers to fill the roster. This years class was made up of 14 Oklahoma and 7 Texas high schoolers. That could mean another long year for a defense that finished last in points allowed and second to last in yards allowed. On the other hand, the offense should be okay, with Marcus Johnson back for another year, and most of the receving corps and backfield as well.Related: Feeling the energy
Now at ACU, talented Fox knows studies key part of college footballAfter a sensational freshman season at Angelo State, Kyle Fox's collegiate football career took a long detour. Now, the 22-year-old running back is trying to revive his career at Abilene Christian University.
Brandon Noohi looks to improve with new offensive lineCentral Oklahoma quarterback Brandon Noohi made great strides last season, but he’s still searching for perfection, and an offensive line. Noohi, who played at Mount Saint Mary’s, was instrumental in the turnaround, finishing the season with 2,200 total yards and 19 touchdowns. Only trouble is, most of UCO’s line graduated last season.
A unique viewWest Texas A&M football player Brad McCarty has a unique view of the gridiron - upside down from between his legs. And if that view is obstructed, it is more than likely McCarty's fault. He might need to move his posterior. Perhaps no other player on a football field is as preoccupied with his back and rear end than a long snapper, also called a deep snapper.
Southwestern Oklahoma - 2009 Recruiting ClassThe offense returns all time leading passer Steve Day, the LSC-North freshman of the year RB Luke Lundy, all LSC-North Joe Sawyer and WR Jonathan Haggerty. Its a different story on the other side of the ball, as the Bulldogs lose most of their impact players. In recent years, SWO would have looked to the junior college ranks to get immediate help. What approach did new coach Dan Cocannouer take in recruiting this year?
Spring Practice - West Texas A&M ScrimmageWest Texas A&M went through a 95-play controlled football scrimmage Sunday afternoon at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The scrimmage came at the end of two weeks of spring drills.
The offensive unit put seven scores on the board, including a 34-yard touchdown catch and run from quarterback Taylor Harris to Jeremy Watson. Placekicker James Chandler also was a perfect four-of-four on field goal attempts, making efforts of 23, 25, 24 and 22 yards.Related: Watching those inches, pounds
Spring Practice - Texas A&M-Commerce ScrimmageHouse to Quander. That was the leading combination during Texas A&M University-Commerce’s scrimmage that capped spring football training on Saturday.
Quarterback Darby House, a redshirt freshman from Skidmore-Tynan, went 13-of-23 passing for 103 yards, one interception and one touchdown as the offense went against the defense. Related: New A&M-Commerce coach looking at offense in scrimmage Related: A&M-Commerce football wraps up spring practice
Spring Practice - Angelo State football team in midst of spring workoutsOne junior that everyone is happy to see back on the field is quarterback Josh Neiswander. He suffered a season-ending injury in the Rams' first game of the season last fall but is back and going through spring drills at full speed.
The Rams will need him as they won't have the experience behind Neiswander they had expected. Neiswander's fill-ins last season, Will Mezger and Michael Cochran, will not play in the fall. Mezger quit the team and Cochran is recovering from a leg injury.
Spring Practice - Javelinas football practice comes to a rainy endMother Nature snuffed Texas A&M-Kingsville’s scheduled intrasquad football scrimmage to close spring workouts on Thursday. Yet coach Bo Atterberry isn’t dismayed.
“I think it’s been a successful spring. Fortunately we had good weather other than today,†Atterberry said Thursday. “I don’t think there’s been any spring that I’ve ever gotten in all 15 practices. Unfortunately it just happens to be our last day. But we got a chance to go live quite a bit and evaluate the guys we needed to and see what the transfers could do, see the redshirts that hadn’t gotten any reps, for them to learn and do all those things,†he said. “We think it was a step in the right direction this past month.â€
Spring Practice - Abilene Christian“It’s tough to gauge with only one full-pad practice, but I thought we had a good first week,†Thomsen said. “We have lot of guys returning who already understand what we do from a scheme standpoint on both sides of the ball.â€
That was Head Coach Chris Thomsen's early assessment. Edmund Gates is the player mentioned as "perhaps the most impressive" on the field. Other WRs mentioned were Doug Pierce and Chance McCoy. Patrick Washington and former Angelo State Ram, Kyle Fox, both had solid first weeks, while Clark Harrell and Mitchell Gale have been manning the QB position while Zach Stewart recovers from surgery.
Spring Practice - Angelo StateWith the return of most of last year's team and depth at every position, Angelo State head football coach Dale Carr is excited to have the most intense spring workouts since his arrival on campus.
"Years past we didn't have the depth that we have this spring," said Carr. "We're having a high-contact, very physical spring and I'm really impressed with the intensity level on both sides of the ball."
Sparking that high-level of play is the return of junior quarterback Josh Neiswander. After starting all 10 games as a sophomore in 2007, Neiswander was injured in the foruth quarter of the Rams' season-opening loss at Texas State last September.
"Josh is not back to the speed the had at this time last year, but he's actually stronger," said Carr. "He's been able to do a lot of lifting and now his upper body strength is really good. By sitting back and watching last fall, it has been a better learning experience for him. He has established himself as a leader on and off the field and returns with a renewed committment to the game."
2/13/09 BlogLSC Scoop Football Recruiting CentralSee who signed where for all of the LSC football teams, and future member Incarnate Word.
NCAA hits ACU for track & field, football infractionsAn NCAA investigation of the Abilene Christian University track and field program has led to findings of numerous violations by the program, as well as serious infractions by the football program. As a result, the NCAA announced Thursday that the football team must vacate its 10 victories during the 2007 season because of two ineligible players, and ACU¼s football and track and field programs have been placed on two years¼ probation.Related: ACU responds to NCAA sanctions
TAMC's Morriss fills out Coaching Staff Texas A&M University-Commerce head football coach Guy Morriss recently announced five members of his coaching staff. Four of them are on the offensive side of the ball and another joins Randy Wilkins on the defensive side of the ball.
Wilkerson suspended by UIWIncarnate hasn't even fielded their first kickoff, but they have their first high profile academic casualty, as highly touted Jerrell Wilkerson has been suspended from the football team this spring for academic reasons.
Lone Star places UIW in its South DivisionWhen the Incarnate Word football team begins play in the Lone Star Conference in 2010, it will do so in the South Division alongside such established programs as Texas A&M-Kingsville, Angelo State and Abilene Christian.
To make room for the Cardinals, LSC presidents last week voted to move Eastern New Mexico to the North Division, creating two, seven-team divisions.
“I'm just excited to be in the conference, period,†UIW coach Mike Santiago said. “I don't care where we play. But I think the other teams in the South are excited about it, too. We have a chance to establish some pretty strong rivalries there.â€
Chief among them likely will be the A&M-Kingsville Javelinas, who have won seven national championships and produced such players as Darrell Green and the late Gene Upshaw, both in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
UIW will begin play in August as a Division II independent. Three LSC schools — Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State and East Central, Okla. — are on UIW's schedule this fall.Related: Incarnate Word to join Lone Star Conference Related: Incarnate Word to join LSC for 2010 school year
Division II Players Who Could Make an Impact in The 2009 NFL Draft1. Abilene Christian RB, Bernard Scott (No. 37 ESPN RB), 5'11" 198 lbs.Scott racked up 2,982 All-Purpose Yards and 34 TDs en route to winning the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II's Heisman Memorial Trophy). Scott is a tad bit undersized for NFL standards (don't tell Darren Sproles or Maurice Jones-Drew) but he is a very fluid ball-carrier and rarely takes losses.2. West Texas A&M C, Thomas Crowley (No. 17 ESPN OC), 6'4" 290 lbs.Crowley headed an offense that scored 48.2 PPG, and has the perfect size and strength for an NFL center. He can still add to his already 290-pound frame.3. Abilene Christian QB, Billy Malone (No. 27 ESPN QB), 6'2" 235 lbs.Malone delivered another quality season as he threw for 3,213 Passing Yards and 36 TDs while maintaining a 189.7 Passer Rating. His play brings back memories of New Orleans QB Drew Brees - a pinpoint passer with good awareness.
When the West team takes on the East in tonight's Valero Cactus Bowl, Null will be one of two quarterbacks and Martin a member of the West receiving corps that includes three other former Lone Star Conference standouts. Also on their team is former WT linebacker Jared Brock, while Buffs guard Devario Dorsey was called on late to replenish a depleted East offensive line.
Two Javs trying to catch eye of scoutsJudging from the attention scouts have been giving to the two Texas A&M-Kingsville representatives in this year's Valero Cactus Bowl, the professionals have been aware for some time of the potential of safety Jabir Perkins.
Those same scouts are looking to see what wide receiver Jareko Taylor can come up with in the 15th installment of the NCAA Division II all-star football game.
ACU OL named best in D-IISam Collins is a pretty pragmatic guy. Instead of holding on to any hopes of playing in the NFL after his senior year at Abilene Christian University this past season, the 6-foot, 270-pound Collins is returning to ACU to focus on his degree this semester. The Denton native believes his size keeps the NFL scouts away.
"I think it's a great honor to even be mentioned with a great football player like Gene Upshaw," Collins said. "I just think it's a great honor, and I feel blessed to have been around the coaches and players at ACU."
Upshaw was an offensive lineman at Texas A&M-Kingsville before becoming a six-time All-Pro during his 16-year career with the Oakland Raiders. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility, and served as the NFL Players Association's executive director from 1983 until his death in 2008.
There¼s nothing in the Lone Star Conference that should shake up Texas A&M University-Commerce¼s new head football coach Guy Morriss. He¼s definitely been through some football wars.Related: Texas A&M-Commerce hires Guy Morriss as head football coach Related: Guy Morris Returns To Texas To Coach A&M Commerce Lions (with video) Related: A&M-Commerce welcomes former Baylor coach Morriss Related: Guy Morriss hired at Texas A&M-Commerce Related: Guy Morriss Named A&M-Commerce Head Football Coach
We encourage everyone who can attend the game Friday at 6:30 to do so. Proceeds from the game also benefit the Shriners Hospital, so there is another incentive to go. If you cannot make it, the game will be webstreamed as well. Go to the Cactus Bowl website for instructions on how to view the game at home.
Javelinas Safety Receives Great Feedback From NFL Scouts (with video)Injured Javelinas Receiver Promises To Play In Upcoming Cactus Bowl (with video)NFL Scouts Keep Close Eye on Cactus Bowl Talent (with video)
Need more proof that there is talent at the D2 level? How about John Randle being named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility? If (more likely when) selected, Randle would become the third Texas A&I Javelina to be honored, joining Gene Upshaw and Darrell Green. Compare that with Florida, Florida State, North Carolina - all of them "big time" programs - and all of them with only one former player in the Pro Football HOF. Or schools with two honorees, such as Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Michigan State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, TCU and West Virginia. Randle was not drafted, and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent.Related: Local Roundup Related: Bob Hayes is Dallas Cowboys¼ lone hope for the Hall of Fame in 2009
Other LSC football News:Reports: Ex-Baylor coach Guy Morriss to take A&M-Commerce jobRiverHawks Footballs Announces New Additions to StaffCollins is Upshaw Award winner
“The kid is a very interesting as a prospect because he has some major pluses and some major minuses,†an AFC scout said. “You can’t deny the numbers; you cannot, under any circumstances, discount the kid’s production. But …â€
“If he hadn’t had some of those issues he has had, he would be a draftable kid, but (teams) are going to be more hesitant,†the scout said. “He has great vision, patience, and balance, and to put up those kinds of numbers is remarkable, so he’ll still get a shot.â€
SW Oklahoma names grid coach; one vacancy remains in LSC
Cactus Bowl articles:ESU's Krut, Mitchell selected for bowlNSIC has 8 named to Valero Cactus BowlESU's Nick Krut, Lionel Mitchell selectedFarabi, Nelson tabbed for Cactus BowlTwo UMD football players make all-star gameCactus Bowl invites 10 MIAA seniors to play for West teamUbran, Burkoth To Play In Cactus BowlPair of Mavericks Named to the Cactus BowlHollins Named to Cactus Bowl RosterWest Liberty's Banks to play in Cactus Bowl
Scott grew up dreaming of playing for the Longhorns, although he was told he had virtually no chance because he was African American. Still, he hoped things would change before it came time for him to play college ball.
Unfortunately for Scott, who died of a stroke last Tuesday in Austin at age 60, he graduated when the doors to the UT locker room were still closed to African Americans. Scott found a home at A&I, now Texas A&M-Kingsville, and reliable mentors in coach Gil Steinke, now deceased, and defensive coordinator Freddy Jonas.
The BestBernard Scott was on top of the world Friday night. The 24-year-old Abilene Christian University senior won the Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the best player in Division II football, in Florence, Ala. It was an unbelievable moment for the running back from Vernon. There he was basking in the limelight, when just three years ago Scott was out of football and heading down a dark path. "I didn't think I would be playing ball again," Scott said, after he had been kicked off the Central Arkansas University team for disciplinary reasons in the spring of '05. He found himself back in Vernon and running with the wrong crowd.
'He still loved football' Coaches at Texas A&I University considered Edward Lee Scott an NFL-caliber defensive back in 1970. He was quick, wily and knew how to tackle. His defensive coordinator, Freddy Jonas, remembers watching Scott apply a by-the-book hit on a receiver for East Texas State on Oct. 10 of that year in Commerce. Jonas said he was surprised when Scott didn't get up. "He broke his neck," a coach told Jonas later..
After his injury, Scott taught middle-school math in Austin, worked at Austin Community College and registered livestock by telephone for the Texas Animal Health Commission, said his wife of 31 years, Edna. He loved jazz music and helping his grandsons with their homework.
"He liked trying to make an impression on them that they had to be successful in school to get somewhere," Edna Scott said. Her husband retired in 1998 after suffering a stroke. Scott said she recently organized his football scrapbook.
"He was quite proud of it," she said. "He has all of his articles and all of his pictures together. He still loved football."
Thomsen up for NSU post Three head football coaches in the Lone Star Conference, including Chris Thomsen of Abilene Christian University, are among candidates to fill the opening for head football coach at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. According to published reports, other candidates from the LSC are Don Carthel of West Texas A&M and Bill Maskill of Midwestern State.
Thomsen confirmed Thursday afternoon before leaving for Florence, Ala., that he has talked to NSU director of athletics Greg Burke about the opening to coach the Demons. Thomsen will be in Florence this weekend for the announcement of the Harlon Hill award and the NCAA Division II championship game.
"I have been contacted," Thomsen said. "You would have to ask them if I'm actually a candidate. They asked me to come for an interview, but they are supposed to call me back. I'm waiting for them to call back so it may be a little premature for me to talk about it now."
NSU coach search down to 6 finalists Northwestern State University began the process of interviewing head football coach candidates on Thursday in Natchitoches. NSU athletic director Greg Burke said he planned on bringing six candidates to campus, but would not reveal the name of the six finalists. However, it has been learned that the six finalists include NSU defensive coordinator Brad Laird, Arkansas State co-defensive coordinator Kevin Corless, former Ole Miss offensive coordinator Dan Werner, Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College head coach Steve Campbell, Abilene Christian coach Chris Thomsen, and LSU co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto.
Second home Bernard Scott suffers no shortage of motivation. Whether it's the marker-written memorials on his taped-up wrists for every game or the memory of his last trip to the Shoals, the Abilene Christian senior running back always had something to keep him grounded and fuel his competitive fire this season. Back in Florence for the first time since he finished second in voting for last year's Harlon Hill Trophy, Scott credited those inspirations for his return as a finalist for the second-straight year for the award given annually to the best Division II college football player..
McCarty meets and greets ECU fans Tim McCarty put in a little overtime during the first official function of his second tour as East Central University football coach. Chosen last week to replace Kurt Nichols, McCarty — the Tigers’ head man in 2004-2005 before leaving to becoming the No. 1 assistant to Ron Prince at Kansas State — was officially introduced to media, fans, players and alumni Monday morning at a well-attended press conference at the Estep Center inside the ECU student center.
Unfinished Business: Scott looks to claim Hill Trophy A year ago, Bernard Scott was just happy to one of three finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy. Well, sort of. The Abilene Christian University running back was a runner-up last year, and the competitor in him wasn't completely happy with being anything less than No. 1. "I had a good time," he said. "But I had a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought I should have won it." WT's Martin, Brock named All-Americans Jared Brock made it two-for-two and Charly Martin joined the party as both West Texas A&M players were named Thursday to the Daktronics Division II All-America Team. The Buffs seniors were first-team selections, with Martin the top vote-getter at his position. Not LSC, not even D2, but D3 Mary Hardin-Baylor is in the national semifinals this weekend...Good luck to the Cru.... Commentary: UMHB, Copperas Cove programs linked by success, consistency It’s no accident that Mary Hardin-Baylor and Copperas Cove still are playing football in mid-December, and it’s not a coincidence, either. Success and consistency are the hallmarks of both programs. UMHB has reached the NCAA Division III playoffs five consecutive seasons and is in the national semifinals for the third time during that stretch. Letting their Cru flag fly: UMHB fans fired up about prospect of Division III national championship Visions of sugarplums dance in the heads of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor fans who are placing all bets their Crusaders will defeat Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Warhawks on Saturday in the NCAA Division III semifinals at Tiger Field. The Crusaders and Warhawks are two of the remaining four teams vying for a shot at No. 1 in the Stagg Bowl on Dec. 20. He's a playmaker: Receiver Davis thrives in role as UMHB's big-play threat BELTON - From the time he steps on the practice field for the week’s first workout to the moment he steps to the line of scrimmage on Saturdays, one term dominates Pi’Dadro Davis’ thoughts: playmaker. So consumed is the Mary Hardin-Baylor junior receiver with being an integral part of the fourth-ranked Crusaders’ success that even during conversation, the words playmaker and big play come up half a dozen times. In 10 years, Mary Hardin-Baylor has become a powerhouse Pete Fredenburg had barely finished laying down the last of the dumbbells in Mary Hardin-Baylor's newly constructed Anderson Field House 10 years ago when they began marching in — all 217 of them. Mary Hardin-Baylor has warm, fuzzy feeling about semifinals A year ago, coach Pete Fredenburg and his Mary Hardin-Baylor football players feared they might return home missing a few fingers or toes. It was a frostbite-inducing encounter for Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III semifinals at snowy Wisconsin-Whitewater. "My gosh," Fredenburg said. "What an experience. I still tell stories about it." Been there, done that: Defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater battles Mary Hardin-Baylor again Lance Leipold has spent all but about 14 years of his life in Wisconsin and many of them as a player or coach at Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he has become familiar with four- or five-hour rides up Interstate 94 to places such as River Falls, La Crosse and Eau Claire. So it must feel a bit odd that in his second season as the Warhawks’ coach, Leipold is preparing for the third time to face Mary Hardin-Baylor - which would be about a 17-hour ride through a handful of states. “I think we have about 10 game films of Mary Hardin-Baylor from just last season and this season, and that’s not including the times we’ve played them,†Leipold said by phone Wednesday.. “We might be more familiar with them than we are some of our conference opponents.â€
Gholson: In the Nick of Time (Dec. 7)If Bernard Scott doesn’t win the Harlon Hill Trophy, they need to stop giving it away. Hand the darn trophy over to the 76-year-old Hill and tell him to use it as a door stop.
2008 Season Review - West Texas A&M Coming off three consecutive LSC championships and playoff appearances, West Texas A&M came into the 2008 season with high expectations. The season ended the same as the last three - a loss in the second round of the NCAA playoffs to go along with numerous offensive records.
WT's Carthel, MSU's Maskill and ACU's Thomsen looking elsewhere According to thetowntalk.com, West Texas A&M Head Coach Don Carthel, Midwestern State Head Coach Bill Maskill, and Abilene Christian Head Coach Chris Thomsen have all 3 applied for the vacant Head Coaching position at Northwestern State University.
2008 Season Review - Texas A&M-Kingsville The Javelinas entered 2008 optimistic, despite coming off of consecutive 3-8 seasons. The season didn't start off well, as TAMK lost 40-14 at North Dakota, but the Javs turned it around winning 7 games on the season, and finishing in the seventh spot in the final NCAA regional rankings, just missing out on the playoffs. The Javs lost to WT, ACU and MSU, and had big wins at Tarleton State, at UCO and at home vs. TAMC.
2008 Season Review - Tarleton State The Texans bolted out of the gates quickly, going 5-0 with a stifling defense (225 yds and 13 pts per game) and a productive offense (400 yds and 39 pts per game). After 5 games, the Texans were ranked #13 in the AFCA coaches poll. The final six games saw Tarleton go 3-3, with the defense (398 yds and 29 pts per game) and the offense (355 yds and 24 points per game) both to blame. So what caused such a dramatic downturn? The fact that the first 5 games were all agains LSC North teams and the final six were against LSC South teams has a lot to do with it.
2008 Season Review - Central Oklahoma The beginning of the 2008 season was a rough one for Central Oklahoma for a couple of different reasons. First off, the well publicized NCAA infractions left many thinking that UCO would just be an afterthought in 2008 and the following years. They were putting their team on the field with their hands tied a bit by the penalties, had a brand new coach (Terry Holland) and offensive system coming in.
Column, Greg Jaklewicz: Firing isn't the solution to WT's defensive woesMass firings are not what West Texas A&M needs. Better defense, yes. WT football coaches on the recruiting trails know it. WT players returning for the 2009 season know it. And, of course, sports fans from coast to coast know it. WT athletic director Michael McBroom also knows it. His response to calls for defensive coordinator Colby Carthel's job? "I think that's crazy."
2008 Daktronics All-Super Region 4 Team
2008 Season Review - Southeastern Oklahoma The 2008 season didn't exactly get off on the right foot for SOSU. Their starting QB Justin Pitrucha was arrested on drug charges and removed from the team. They came into the season not sure who was going to be the starting QB. By the end of the season, they found their man in Brandon McCain, who finished the season with 2,145 yards and 22 TD's. They also found themselves with a winning record and a 2nd place finish in the North.
Harlon Hill -- 3 Finalists NamedThe voting has concluded for the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year Award, and while the results of that voting won't be announced until December 12, three players have received invitations to attend the 23rd Annual Harlon Hill Trophy Presentation Banquet for the naming of the top player in Division II.
Ex-Viking John Randle more than talk"He was one of the fun guys to play against," Bears center Jerry Fontenot said. "You knew exactly what you were going to get from him on Sunday. He made me a much better player because you knew if you didn't bring your 'A' game, he would find a way to expose you."
Javelinas football recruiting focused on 'spots'For a football program that has endured some serious growing pains the past couple of seasons, one might think the needs for Texas A&M-Kingsville would be many when it comes to the recruiting process.
NY Times: Div. II Scoring Leader Is Running From TroubleSince high school, Bernard Scott has been running for another chance. He did not play his senior season after being involved in an off-field fight. He has been arrested at least five times and is finishing 18 months of probation for giving false information to a police officer during a traffic stop. He is attending his fourth college since 2003.
NY Times: Quarterback’s Re-Emergence a Matter of HeartAs a young quarterback at Tulane in 2002, Billy Don Malone developed a reputation as a first-round N.F.L. talent. His future was considered so secure that his coach called him C.E., for the contract extension that Malone would surely earn him. But a heart problem ended Malone’s career at Tulane before it ever really got off the ground, sending him into a downward spiral. He left the university with a grade point average below 1.5 and with what he later acknowledged was a marijuana habit. He soon found himself milking cows on an 800-acre dairy farm while living with his mother in Paris, Tex.
2008 Season Review: Midwestern StateIt was a mixed bag for the Mustangs. They were expected to suffer a power outage on offense, but still have a solid defense, and those outlooks held true. They won some games early, despite the offense struggling, but lost 4 of their last six games as they hit the harder part of their schedule.
The recruiting must go on Although the search is ongoing for a new football coach, recruiting at East Central University isn’t standing still. But that doesn’t mean interim head coach Todd Fugett and the Tiger assistants are doing a lot of traveling, either. “Until we get a head coach, we’re not going to get out on the road and recruit, and that’s okay,†Fugett said last week. “Right now, we’re looking at film and trying to find young men we think can play at this level. “The big difference between now and this time last year is that we’re not getting out on the road right now,†he added. “We’re not going to high schools and talking to coaches.â€
Harris ready to pull trigger in WT's offenseSon, here are the keys to the car. It's a big responsibility. Have fun, but be careful. Former West Texas A&M quarterback Matt McIntyre once called the Buffs offense "a finely tuned Cadillac." Opposing defenses may have thought it was a Hummer that ran over them each week of the season.
Buffs' strength could be ground gameGraduation has raided Air Raid. The starting quarterback, four starting receivers and two linemen are gone, putting West Texas A&M in its biggest offensive rebuilding mode under coach Don Carthel. The Buffs have boasted the top passing offense in Division II and have been even more dangerous the past two seasons with a more effective running game.
Coaches searching for defensive help"It's time to get better." That could be written every year on the banner college football coaches carry into the recruiting war. But after West Texas A&M gave up 93 points to Abilene Christian in its final game of the season, defensive coordinator Colby Carthel's statement has more impact. His staff certainly has work to do.
Hutchinson owes a lot to Randle Vikings all-pro Steve Hutchinson is one of the league's top offensive linemen. But he said he wouldn't be the player he is today without the help of former Vikings great John Randle.
Bullington sees past in present team great ACU teamsWally Bullington has seen some great Abilene Christian University football teams in his time. For starters, Bullington played on the 1950 team that went 11-0. He also coached the 1973 team that won the Lone Star Conference title outright before going on to in the NAIA national title. Bullington was athletic director and recruited most of the players on the ACU team that shared a LSC title and won another NAIA title in 1977.Related: So Abilene Christian Scored A Few Points On Saturday
ACU shatters records in offensive explosionThe Abilene Christian University Wildcats were all but unstoppable Saturday. Bernard Scott scored seven touchdowns and Billy Malone passed for six TDs as the Wildcats reached the end zone on 13 of 15 possessions as second-ranked ACU defeated No. 9 West Texas A&M 93-68 in an NCAA Division II second-round playoff game at Shotwell Stadium.
ACU's Scott makes case for Harlon Hill TrophySeveral questions were tossed about in the Shotwell Stadium press box Saturday during Abilene Christian University's 93-68 victory over West Texas A&M in an NCAA Division II second-round playoff.
"How long was that touchdown?" "Does ACU even have a punter?" "Can the scoreboard handle triple digits?"
On a national scale, one very important question may have been answered -- "Did Bernard Scott clinch the Harlon Hill Trophy with his seven-touchdown performance?"
According to ACU coach Chris Thomsen, he did. "In my mind it does, but my mind doesn't count," Thomsen said. "But I think he's a Harlon Hill winner, personally."
Buffs 'D' struggles in playoffs again A comment around Abilene after Saturday's West Texas A&M-Abilene Christian football game was, "Heard the Wildcats came out OK in their basketball game." The Wildcats certainly were hitting their 2s and 3s in a 93-68 victory against the Buffs. ACU quarterback Billy Malone, who wears No. 2, threw for six touchdowns for the second time against WT, and running back Bernard Scott, No. 3, scored a record seven touchdowns - six rushing - in a game that may have caused the scoreboard operator at P.E. Shotwell Stadium to seek early retirement.
Defenseless: WT struggles in 93-68 loss ABILENE - Second verse, same as the first. Only worse. Abilene Christian scored touchdowns on 13 of its 15 possessions and 37 points in third quarter into a stiff southerly wind in blowing away West Texas A&M, 93-68, Saturday in front of 11,797 fans at P.E. Shotwell Stadium in the Division II second round playoffs. Related: When they say shootout in Abilene, they mean it - San Diego Union TribuneRelated: Glory days are back at Abilene Christian - Fort Worth Star TelegramRelated: Week 13 Review: Oklahoma Rolls Past Texas Tech - NCAAFootball.netRelated: On The Fly: The Game - Hartford CourantRelated: Keeping the drive alive - St Joseph-News-Press
2008 Season Review - Angelo StateThe Rams tooks some steps forward, especially on defense, but injuries on the offensive side of the ball resulted in just one more win than 2007.
Flemming looking forward to ACUTwo plays weren't enough for Keithon Flemming: "I got two plays on offense but Coach (Scott) Parr just teased me," theWest Texas A&M sophomore said of getting minimal offensive snaps the firsttime the Buffs played Abilene Christian. He was lucky to get that.
Darrell Green honored with NCAA AwardDarrell Green, former Texas A&I All-American football and track and field athlete, has been named as a recipient of the 2009 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award Jan. 15 in Washington D.C. The presentation of the six Silver Anniversary honorees will come at a luncheon at the annual NCAA Convention. The event will be held in the Newseum. The Silver Anniversary Awards recognize six distinguished former student-athletes on the 25th anniversary of the end of their intercollegiate athletics eligibility and is one of the highest presented by the NCAA.
Incarnate Word Football UpdatesThough they won't play their first game until next fall, Incarnate Word will still have football at homecoming, complete with a pre-game tailgate party. They will be putting on the pads this Saturday for an inter-squad scrimmage, and the public is encouraged to come out and watch the action.
2008 Season Review - Eastern New Mexico UniversityCombine a new offensive scheme with a young team, especially at the skill positions, and you have a recipe for a trying season. Head Coach Mark Ribaudo also thinks its a recipe for success down the road for the Greyhounds.
2008 Season Review - East Central UniversityThe key to top teams is the quarterback. The Tigers have that covered, but injuries and lack of depth hampered the team on both sides of the ball.
2008 Season Review - Southwestern OklahomaComing into the season, the Bulldogs were expected to compete for the LSC North title. With a few breaks going their way, they would have.
2008 Season Review - Northeastern StateThe Riverhawks suffered through another long season, but there were glimpses to give hope for next year.
ASU football team looks to the future "It was frustrating," ASU head coach Dale Carr said. "It was frustrating and everybody knows. The quarterback position hurt us. Now I feel like we have one really good quarterback coming back next year, Josh, and a pretty dang good quarterback coming back. I think Michael has really grown a lot in the last two or three games. He has really impressed me. He is tough."
Adams provides a kick for Wildcats Matt Adams hasn't been in too many pressure situations this season. In fact, until the Abilene Christian University senior kicked four field goals in Saturday's 47-17 victory over Midwestern State University, he had pretty much been relegated to kicking extra points -- a lot of extra points -- this season. But that's the life of a kicker on a No.-2 ranked ACU team that has been blowing opponents away en route to a 10-0 regular season and undisputed Lone Star Conference title. Related: ACU tops again
WT secondary remains confident West Texas A&M's secondary finally is healthy. That's good, because Central Washington, the Buffs' opponent to open the Division II playoffs, will be throwing the ball. A lot.
From the BullpenIf history is repeating itself, the Lone Star Conference could haveits first NCAA Division II national championship in football since thenSouthwest Texas State won back-to-back titles in 1981 and 1982 — the first twoseasons the conference played exclusively in D-II.
Leaf squanders chance to put woes behind him Ryan Leaf got a second chance at West Texas A&M. That chance toput his turbulent past behind him unraveled last week with accusations heobtained prescription meds from a player. First he obtained a leave of absence.Then he resigned.Related: Buffs finish season No. 9
Selfless seniorsIf one looks up the definition of "selfless" in the dictionary, onewould probably see the pictures of Northeastern State University footballplayers Jarrett Byers and Broderick Mondy.
Search is on for ECU's next head football coachEast Central University president Dr. Richard Rafes finally made itofficial late last week in a short release from the school’s information office.Kurt Nichols was out as football coach. Thanks for the effort, Kurt. Time tomove on.
Purple paint motivates WTBroderick Marshall, West Texas A&M's 6-foot-3, 285-pound nose tackle, said the Buffs had a chip on their shoulder going into Saturday's game with Tarleton State. Someone had spray-painted a purple TSU on a white buffalo statue on campus. Must have made the team mad. Few people, if any, expected WT to trample the No. 19 Texans 51-0. This was a team with the most balanced offense in the Lone Star Conference and the No. 2-rated defense. "We're peaking at the right time," WT offensive lineman Webb said. It's difficult to say on which side of the ball WT played betterRelated: WT playoff foe similar in style
MORE HEADLINESJavelinas end year in record fashionASU season closes on lossMustangs routed in football season finale
Abilene Christian's Scott one of 24 finalists for Harlon Hill Award Abilene Christian University running back Bernard Scott is one of 24 players in the running for the Harlon Hill Award, given each year to the best player in NCAA Division II football, including three finalists from 2007 and three other players who were candidates last season.Related: Buffs wide receiver Martin finalist for Harlon Hill Award
Title team? "I think this team has all the components it takes to win a championship," Jones said. "Offensively, we've got playmakers all over the field. We've got a very good offensive line. As long as your quarterback can stand back there and have time to throw it, he should complete it. But if he's laying on his back, you don't make any completions. Defensively, we're much, much better than we were last year. (Head coach) Chris (Thomsen) has done a good job of recruiting a good group of athletes in here on defense.
QB Garza to close out college career after a successful season with Javs When Billy Garza headed back south some 1,400 miles he thought he would be toting some experience being a part of an NCAA Division I football program at Illinois and some pearls of wisdom he could pass along to his new teammates at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Little did he know the impact he would have and the school records he continues to acquire. Related: Javelina Notebook: 11.07.08
Ex-Chargers QB Leaf on leave for personal issueWest Texas A&M quarterbacks coach Ryan Leaf, the former San Diego Chargers quarterback, has been placed on indefinite leave at his request to deal with a personal issue, athletic director Michael McBroom said Wednesday.
QB Stewart answers call for No. 2 ACU"I knew I'd have to be ready each and every week, in case something did happen to Billy," Stewart said. "But I think in any role as a backup, you're truly and honestly not expecting that to happen."Related: College notebook 11.06.08 Related: Perfect finish for Wildcats?
Improving 'O' means less work for punter WhiteOne casualty of the ever-improving numbers by the Midwestern State offense has been opportunities for senior punter Ben White to get to ply his trade. But the 6-2, 195-pounder is more than willing to make that sacrifice if it means the Mustangs are getting into the end zone more often.
McElroy - We have to win to get in“We’re in the same boat as we have been each of the last three years,†McElroy said. “We need to win to get in. Our kids understand that’s the position we’re in. If we were sitting at 9-1 right now, the brackets may be pretty much set, but that’s not the case.â€Related: Playoff hopes abound for No. 19 Tarleton
Angelo State aims to finish season strong "It just seems like, I don't want to say we're snakebit, but we shoot ourselves in the foot. We're one of the least penalized teams in the conference," Carr said. "But it seems like our penalties come at a really bad time. We're not really strong enough on offense to overcome those things."Related: Diversity plays major role in Roosevelt's football tradition
Rams facing Javelinas in battle for win to end season "I think we match up well against them," ASU head coach Dale Carr said Monday on the heels of the Rams' near-upset of No. 20 Tarleton State last Thursday in Stephenville. The Rams will be looking for some momentum of their own heading into the offseason. They have lost four straight games and would prefer not to end their season on a five-game losing skid. Three of those losses were to nationally ranked teams.
A&M-Commerce closes out season at home Texas A&M University-Commerce’s hopes of repeating as Lone Star Conference North Division champion has ended. But the 4-5 Lions can still close out the season with a .500 record if they can beat the 3-7 Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs at 2 p.m. Saturday at A&M-Commerce’s Memorial Stadium in Commerce.
Southwestern Oklahoma Coach ResignsRyan Held, who led Southwestern Oklahoma to a share of the LSC-North crown in 2007, notified his assistant coaches and players following Saturday's victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State. He will coach the season finale this Saturday against Texas A&M Commerce. Held's record at SWO is currently 16-27, with back-to-back 6-5 seasons in 2006 and 2007. He is expected to persue opportunities in the business world.
Little problems too much for Javs "I thought Kingsville did a great job. Billy's a great player like I said during the week. He kept drives alive for them," Thomsen said. "I think our defense did a nice job in the red zone most of the time to prevent scores.
"But I think they had over 400 yards, and that's a credit to their coaching staff and to Billy and the receivers and the O-line for Kingsville," Thomsen said. "I was proud of our guys. I thought they stepped up in a hard place to win against a really good team."
No. 2 ACU clinches share of LSC title "This (co-championship) means a lot, and it'll mean a lot more next week if we can win it outright," ACU head coach Chris Thomsen said. "There are a lot of guys here with us who were here when I got here in 2005, and they all heard everyone saying we couldn't win here. But this team has believed and has been blessed, and we know where the credit belongs, and it doesn't belong to us."
WT victory didn't require drama "Every year since I've been here, I've wanted the Tarleton game to be important, and it has been," fourth-year WT coach Don Carthel said after the game. "The playoffs are at stake for them and for us."
Eskridge throws school-record six TD passes in Mustangs' 59-16 win “It felt like just one,†Eskridge said with a laugh as he talked about the six touchdowns. “I owe it all to the line for giving me time and the receivers for catching the ball. It’s hard to miss them when I have that much time and I have those guys to throw to.â€
Wildcats spoil Javs' home finale "Those were the two key plays in the game," ACU coach Chris Thomsen said. "The touchdown to Johnny right at the end of the half created a lot of momentum going into the locker room. And then getting the blocked punt, anytime you get a play on special teams like that and are able to capitalize with a score, that was just huge. That was a big turning point."
PV alum Martin hoarding records When you ask Charly Martin who he patterns his game after, you hope — for the sake of savvy copy — he says Jerry Rice. Wouldn't it be perfect, you think, if Martin's role model is a fellow receiver who shed the perception that small-school success doesn't translate to NFL stardom?
A&M-Commerce loses homecoming heartbreaker “We played hard and made some plays,†said Lion linebacker Andrew Gamboa, whose fumble recovery at the Savage Storm’s 35-yard line with 1:29 remaining set up the big finish. “But we also gave up some plays that ended up being the difference.â€
ACU comes to Kingsville on a roll "I think we're like everybody else, trying to get better and trying to still figure out things offensively and defensively that you can do better," Thomsen said. "I really don't know how good we are."
The Warren Report Although Jarrell Warren is the sack leader for the Midwestern State Mustangs this season with 4.5, its the one that got away that the senior defensive end remembers most.
No. 16 Tarleton has no answer for ScottGood teams can overcome adversity and injuries and still win. Great teams can overcome them and still win comfortably, as #2 ACU did in defeating nationally ranked Tarleton 37-17.Related: Scott, No. 2 ACU pull away from No. 16 TSU
Javelinas brush off adversity in victory Winning ugly is still winning, right? The Javelinas escape Blackwater Draw with a 35-32 win over Eastern New Mexico, but know they have to play better - much better - to pull off the upset this weekend at home against #2 ACU.Related: Javs see faults in winRelated: Homecoming heartbreak as Javelinas win 35-32Related: Garza sets Javelina passing recordRelated: NAIA playoff Hounds reunite after 25 years
Buffs take out frustrationsOn defense anyway - limiting Angelo State to 115 yds and shutting them out. Offensively, turnovers helped to keep the scoring down for WT.Related: Buff's defense shows its Ram tough in winRelated: Rams shut out for second week in a row
Mustangs drop 38-33 decision to BronchosThe hottest team in the LSC not from Abilene, might just be the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. After starting the season 0-4, and getting blown out in two of the games, the Brochos have won 5 in a row, and are in great position to run the LSC North and take the division title.
More game recaps at the LSC Scoop
Tanner finally getting reconnected with EskridgeThe Midwestern State passing game was lacking in the first five games this season. With a new QB, that was not totally unexpected. But the past two weeks would indicate that the Mustangs are figuring things out, and WR Andy Tanner is reaping the benefits.
Hounds let young pups off the leashIts painful to watch sometimes, but when you have a team as young as the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds, growing pains are expected. Add in a complete change in offensive philosophy, and the pain can be severe. However there are positive signs and head coach Mark Ribaudo expects big things down the road.
Patient Knox comes up big for ACU in key contestsComing off a record breaking 62 catch, 1,158 yd, 17 TD season, LSC watchers were expecting an even bigger season this year from Abilene Christian's Johnny Knox. Factor in the graduation of the LSC all-time reception leader Jerale Badon, and the expectations were through the roof. So it was puzzling when halfway through the season, Knox had "just" 19 catches for 298 yds and 2 TDs. As it turns out, head coach Chris Thomsen was trying to keep Knox fresh for the stretch run. In the past two weeks he has added 16 catches for 435 yds and 6 TDs and is primed to continue his torrid pace for the rest of the season.Related: College Notebook 10.23.08
Rams might be catching West Texas A&M at wrong timeHead coach Dale Carr thinks it would have been better for the Rams this week if the West Texas A&M Buffaloes had won last week. Instead, Angelo State will be facing an angry WT team that has something to prove to the national pollsters, and needs to win out the rest of the regular season to ensure a playoff spot and home field advantage for the first round.Related: Buffs fall to No. 11 in poll Related: Loss made road bumpier, but Buffs remain in hunt
For ACU, it was just another gameConfidence, not cockiness, in the team's abilities allowed coach Chris Thomsen to treat Abilene Christian's matchup against West Texas A&M as just another game. Not an easy task when both teams are ranked in the top four nationally, and with the winner very likely to win the LoneStar Conference title, and get a first round bye in the NCAA playoffs, along with home-field advantage.Related: Too much to overcome Related: West Texas shootout Related: ACU's weapons overwhelm WT's defense
Loss to Mustangs hurts JavsThough the margin was much closer than last year's blowout in Wichita Falls, this Saturday's loss to Midwestern State could cost Texas A&M Kingsville much more - a potential playoff spot.Related: MSU offense comes alive to drill Javelinas 38-16 Related: Questionable call stalls Javs
Complete Game RecapsAll the newspaper articles we could find, plus recaps from the schools' websites.
ENMU Coach: WT, ACU best teams in LSCMark Ribaudo may be stating the obvious, but his Greyhounds have faced both teams this year, so he knows what he's talking about.Related: Abilene Christian, West Texas A&M set for showdownRelated: Former Bulldogs standout heads offense at fourth-ranked West Texas A&M
Linebacker proves big hits can come in small packagesAt 5'8", 225 pounds, Texas A&M-Kingsville's Mike Martinez does not possess prototypical linebacker size. But instinct, hard work, heart and leadership (the only Javelina to be named captain 3 times) has allowed him to excel on the field.Related: Javelinas run to get offense moving
The LSC's BestThe LSC's top two teams just happen to be led by the league's top two quarterbacks. A look at how Billy Malone and Keith Null match up.Related: The return of Billy Don Malone from ESPN.comRelated: Buffs again play role of underdogs vs. ACU
No. 3 ACU, No. 4 West Texas A&M meet SaturdayMatchups like this don't come around very often, and are even more rare when its two conference teams. In fact, this is believed to be the first LSC game with both contestants ranked in the top four nationally.Related: College Notebook 10.16.08
Mustangs stumbling again after solid startIn recent years, Midwestern State has been consistently quick out of the gate. They have also consistently stumbled a few times down the stretch. They seem to be following that script again this year.Related: Davis making most of season of changeRelated: Javelinas get boost from 'CatsRelated: From the Bullpen
ASU football team looks to bounce backThe young Rams have shown improvement this year, and have beaten the teams they should. They have a chance to continue that trend this week as Southeastern Oklahoma comes to San Angelo this Saturday.Related: Former ASU QB Jinks making his mark as high school coach
A&M Commerce facing tough quarterbackThe Lion defense will face another prolific passer in this Saturday's inaugural Harvey Martin Classic, this Saturday in the Cotton Bowl. Marcus Johnson has passed for 4,377 and 23 TDs in his 18 game ECU career. The Lions' will be happy to repeat last year's effort, holding him to just 157 yds and, more importantly, no TDs.Related: Harvey Martin Classic keeps TAMC very busy this week.
Buffs, ACU set up LSC showdownBoth Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M come into Saturday's matchup undefeated, ranked in the top 5 nationally, boasting explosive offenses, and solid defenses. This will be the LSC Game of the Year.Related: West Texas A&M survives lightning delays and Hounds comeback attempt
Javs try to build on their successThe theory is simple - just improve from week-to-week. Of course, its much more difficult to successfully implement. But Texas A&M-Kingsville seems to be doing just that.
Complete Weekend RoundupCheck in for recaps of all the games from the school websites and newspaper stories.Related: LSC Top Individual Performances
Texans, Mustangs look to rebound in tough LSC SouthThe matchup between Tarleton State and Midwestern State lost some luster with both teams suffering their first losses of the season last weekend, but the game became more important in the process. With big games still on the horizon, the winner of this game is still in the playoff hunt, while the loser may find themselves on the outside looking in.
Javs duo answer the callOne of the great things about college football is the emergence of new stars. Some get their chance because of injuries, some because the players ahead of them don't perform, and some impress enough in limited roles to earn more playing time.Related: Robstown pays tribute to Upshaw, its Hall of FamerRelated: A&M-Commerce to meet old rival
Seesaw season defines LionsThe LSC North favorites have looked the part, but only part of the time. In splitting their first two LSC North division games, the Lions were lucky to come out with a split despite playing two teams with no wins prior to the contests.Related: Determination pays off for Lugo
ACU's Scott sets sights on title, not individual awardNo doubt about it, individual awards are nice. All-Conference, All-American, Harlon Hill winner - to win any of them is an honor for a player. For Abilene Christian running back Bernard Scott, they are secondary to what is really important - team success.Related: College Notebook
Rams facing "juggernaut" Abilene Christian on SaturdayThe Angelo State defense has put up some excellent numbers this year, near the top of the LSC in most statistical categories. That is likely (very likely) to change after this Saturday, as they face the offensive machine of the Abilene Christian Wildcats.
From the BullpenJ Scott Russell looks at the first regional rankings, national rankings, and muses on the LSC Player of the Week selections.Related: Buffs inch upward to claim No. 4
Countdown to West Texas-ACU shootout beginsThe Lubbock Avalanche-Journal peeks ahead to next week's huge matchup. Good to see a Big 12 town paper recognize top quality football is played at other local universities.Related: WT's Martin leads Div II in two categories
Buffs move closer to showdownCoaches know how dangerous it is to look ahead to certain games, but Abilene Christian and West Texs A&M look almost certain to avoid the upset bug with just one more game before "THE BIG ONE".
Javs pull it together in victoryDespite the improvement shown by Texas A&M-Kingsville early this year, there were still doubters who didn't think the Javelinas could beat a top team. Satruday's 27-16 win over the nation's #13 ranked Tarleton State Texans on the road proved they are well on their way back.Related: No. 13 Tarleton upset at home in South opener
Complete recap of Weekend GamesLinks from newspapers and the school's websites, recapping all of the action.
Perkins play no joke for JavelinasJabir Perkins has been a big addition to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Whether its keeping the team loose with his upbeat demeanor, or making big plays on the field, Perkins is having a big impact. Related: Javelina Notebook 10-3
No. 13 Texans meet 'road warriors' in LSC South openerTexas A&M Kingsville poses the toughest test for the 13th ranked Tarleton State Texans Saturday. But with several injured starters slated to return this weekend, the Texans think they are ready to meet the challenge.
Miles heads list of WT honoreesWest Texas A&M's all-time leading rusher, Dewayne Miles, is fortunate to have played for the Buffs when he did. A physical runner in the style of Craig Heyward, Miles' style would not fit in with the wide open offense currently in vogue.
Javs face 2nd straight unbeatenTexas A&M Kingsville hits the road again for a matchup against unbeaten and #16 Tarleton State.Related: Javelinas hit the road again to play the Texans (with video)
Rams, Greyhounds in similar situation heading into Saturday matchupThis could be the crucial game for both of these teams - a game that potentially separates a successful season from a disappointing one. Neither team will be in the playoffs this year, but both can use a victory to build on for the rest of this season.
Married to FootballMost college student-athletes have enough on their plates with school and practice keeping them busy. But for a trio of West Texas A&M football players, young families add another dimension to the equation.
Calloway leading the way for MustangsOffensive center Lance Calloway has started 21 games over the past two years, two more than the next Mustang. But the veteran is far and away the most experienced lineman - the closest is 19 starts behind.
A&M Commerce heads out on road againHome has been good for the Lions as they have won both contests. The road, however has not treated the Lions well as they have failed to win a road game in three contests. They should have a great shot to get their first win as they travel to Tahlequah to take on winless Northeastern State.
Buffs avoid Road LetdownIts a long bus trip down to Kingsville. Couple that with a loud crowd and some felt that this was a trap game. Instead, West Texas A&M reeled off 38 straight points in just over 15 minutes to take a 38-7 lead and held on for a big road victory.Related: Buffs drop Javelinas for fifth victoryRelated: Martin on the move
Javs look to build on defeatDespite, the final score (35-55) and despite giving up 38 straight points, there were some positives for Texas A&M-Kingsville. They battled back, and found themselves on the WTAM 28 yard line with just over three minutes to go and a chance to pull within a TD. They will need to apply those lessons quickly as they travel to nationally ranked Tarleton State this week.Related: Big 2nd half can't make up for Javs' slow start in home opener
Late 64-yard bomb lifts Tarleton to unlikely victoryTo say that Tarleton overcame staggering odds late in Saturday's game is about as big of an understatement as anyone could make. First they had to stop Southwestern Oklahoma and fourth down, and then they still had over 60 yards to the endzone and under 30 seconds to get there. Done and done - and the Texans remain undefeated at 5-0.
UCO wraps up Lions for first win of the yearJust when Texas A&M-Commerce was starting to roll and fans were starting to think about playoff possibilities, they drop an LSC North contest to Central Oklahoma. With starting QB Terry Mayo not playing because of an illness, the Lions offense never got going, and the Bronchos took advantage for their first win of the year.
No. 16 Texans take undefeated record to SouthwesternTarleton State is still undefeated, but had a team play them even for virtually all of the first half last week. They will be facing a Southwestern Oklahoma team this Saturday, that head coach Sam McElroy says is likely the best team the Texans have played this season.
NCAA Division I an option for UIWThe LSC could be losing a great opportunity to add a school with great potential, in a big media market. Incarnate Word wants go join the LSC, but if they don't receive an invitation, they may just look to jump to division I.Related: Questions about UIW
West Texas A&M adds defense to match offenseSince taking over the Buffalo program in 2005, the offense has been there for head coach Don Carthel. But he knows that to get the next level nationally, the defense had to improve. This year, he may just have that defense.Related: Raiders not the only West Texas football power
Rams hoping for better luck against Midwestern StateThis has not been a close matchup the past two years, as the Mustangs have dominated the Rams to the tune of a 42-17 average score. But that was a different MSU offense and a different ASU defense.Related: 'Winky' Walker leading the way as Mustangs' only fifth-year senior
From the BullpenJ. Scott Russell of the Times Record News has a look at the LSC season to date as divisional play opens.
Stakes get higher for No. 6 West Texas A&MThe Buffaloes are getting into the meat of their schedule, starting this weekend with a trip down to Kingsville. Last Saturday's closer than expected win over Southwestern Oklahoma might have been a good thing - it kept WT playing all four quarters instead of cruising in the second half.Related: Flemming ideal fit for Buffs' offense Related: Make it 4-0
Javelinas look to continue improvingNot that Texas A&M Kingsville is complaining, it's nice to be 3-1 at this point in the season. More importantly, is the improvement the team has made weekly - most evident at the QB position, where Illinois transfer Billy Garza has made strides each game. They will need to continue that trend this week if they are to upset #6 West Texas A&M.Related: NSU crowned by KingsvilleRelated: Defense, big plays lift Javs to victory Related: Evans era still an 0-fer
Jav's offensive line begins to gelThe casual fan may not notice, but football games are largely won or lost by the offensive line. Running backs aren't going to get their yards, and QBs won't have time to make their throws, if the offensive line isn't doing their job. Texas A&M Kingsville has suffered from too much youth and not enough depth the past couple of years, but things have improved drastically so far this year.Related: Javelina Notebook
More LSC passing records to fall this weekend?Billy Malone came into this season as the LSC's career leader in passing completions and passing yards. Two more records should fall this week. Here's a look at the LSC's career pasing records and just how close Malone is to owning all of them.
Lamberti Headlines ACU Hall of Fame classBilly Malone has broken several ACU and LSC passing records, and is on the verge of breaking more. The man who has held several of those records is set to enter the ACU Hall of Fame.
Riverhawks making progressWith new coaches and new systems progress is sometimes difficult to measure. There usually isn't an immediate increase in the number of wins - instead you have to look below the surface to find the improvements.Related: Javs set to play fourth straight away game (with video)
Rams look to keep rolling in home openerAngelo State has a great opportunity to do something they haven't done since 2005 -- win consecutive games. While East Central provides them a great opportunity to do just that, the Rams better not look past the Tigers - last year's 48-31 loss to ECU is proof of that.
A&M-Commerce defense facing test from ENMUAfter facing the blistering ACU attack last week, the Lions will get to see the new-look Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds this week. And if you hear a sigh of relief coming from Commerce, its likely for two reasons. First they won't have to face another offense like the one they saw last week. Second, they don't have to prepare for the triple option offense that the Greyhounds used to run (and run and run).
Taking care of businessWest Texas A&M had an easy time with NAIA Azusa Pacific, allowing coach Carthel to empty his bench early and still put on a great offensive show for the home fans.
Weekend Game RecapsHurricane Ike affected several LSC games this weekend - either by moving game locations and/or kickoff times or by making playing conditions difficult for the offenses.
A&M-Commerce hopes for big game at Abilene ChristianIt will be strength (ACU offense) vs. strength (TAMC defense) this Saturday in Abilene. Here's a look at the players expected to make the biggest impacts in the game.
ASU football team dealing with adversityOpening against IAA Texas State and a Texas A&M-Commerce team that was ranked #18 coming into this season is a tall order for any team. The fact that Angelo State was in a position to win both games is encouraging. The Rams now have the opportunity to show that they have learned and grown from those games.
Patience paying off for MSU defensive end TurnerAfter spending three years learning the ropes, Stephen Turner was ready to show what he could do on the field. If the season opener against Southeastern Oklahoma is any indication, he is in for a big year for Midwestern State.
A&M Commerce defense to challenge ACU offenseThe Lions defense has been stellar so far this year. They will have a chance to show just how good they are with one of the nation's premeir offenses in Abilene Christian coming up next.
Buffs look more like a power in week 2This is the team West Texas A&M fans expected to see in 2008. Coming off a much closer than expected 23-20 victory over Mesa State, the Buffaloes amassed 637 yards of offense, while allowing Central Oklahoma just 231.
Javs' composure pays off in victoryThe past two years, the Javelinas have fielded some of the youngest teams in the Lone Star Conference. They took their lumps in back to back 3-8 seasons. They may be ready to see that pay off this year.
Game RecapsCheck in for links to recaps for all the LSC action.
McElroy: Northeastern much better than 2-9 team of last yearComing off of a big win in their opener last week, you might think that Tarleton State feels this week's game against Northeastern State will be a romp. However, head coach Sam McElroy isn't taking the Riverhawks lightly.Related: Riverhawks look ahead to Tarleton
A&M-Commerce meets Angelo State in home openerWith both teams are coming off tough losses to IAA Southland Conference opponents, its hard to say who looks to have the upper hand in this early season LSC matchup. Last year's game doesn't clear things up much either with the Lions escaping with a 20-17 victory as the Rams fumbled the ball inside the 10 yard line with just over a minute to play. Eight of the last nine meetings between these two rivals have been decided by one score or less.
A sound beating for JavsTexas A&M-Kingsville didn't underestimate the North Dakota football team - the Sioux have been a consistent national contender for the past several years. They might have underestimated the how much of a factor the domed Alerus Center and 11,000 screaming fans would have on play-calling.
LSC Scoop Power Ratings 9-2 Was the big Abilene Christian win enough to push them to the top? How much did the rankings shake up with all of the IAA games?
Tigers learning as they goWith a large influx of new players, the East Central University Tigers are in the midst of on the job training. That task continues this weekend as Texas A&M - Kingsville pays a visit.
Rams facing No. 18 team in A&M-CommerceBoth the Rams and Lions are coming off tough losses to IAA teams last weekend. Both teams were solid on defense, but unable to muster enough offense to come away with a victory. All indications are that this weekend's matchup between Angelo State and Texas A&M - Commerce should be a doozy.
Eskridge to start at quarterback for MustangsAll through spring and fall practices, Midwestern State was coy about which QB would start the season under center. Finally two days before they open their season, they have made the proclamation.Related: Trading places: Norsworthy left SOSU to run MSU offense
Angelo State coach optimistic about seasonMore talent and experience have Dale Carr more optimistic about this year's team than any other in his three previous seasons. That's a pretty tall order considering his 2005 made the NCAA playoffs and lit up scoreboards all over Texas.
Ex-Clark star happy to be back on fieldThough Incarnate Word won't play their first game until the 2009 season, and though the opposing teams won't be Texas A&M or Oklahoma, Jerrell Wilkerson couldn't be happier as he makes his official return to the football field.
WT, ACU appear ready for the next stepThe LSC's last national championship in football was in 1982, and only Texas A&M-Kingsville has played in a championship game since then. This year, it appears that two teams have the tools to break that dry spell.Related: Sharing the Wealth
With coach's guidance, ACU RB is among nation's bestBernard Scott and head coach Chris Thomsen don't have the typical player-coach relationship - and they might be part of the reason they are enjoying so much success.Related: ACU works on the other side of the ballRelated: No Rest for the weary
Defense dominates MSU scrimmageWhile the offense has been making strides, at full speed the defense was expected to still be ahead of the game. Saturday's scrimmage proved that expectation to be correct.Related: Positions up for grags in today's scrimmage
Don Carthel builds solid foundation for success in WT football programThere may come a day when West Texas A&M fans forget about the lean years. After all, in his three years as head coach for the Buffaloes, Don Carthe's teams have won three LSC championships and at least 10 games. Find out his thoughts on how far WT has come and what still lays ahead.
Tarleton State plans to light up the scoreboardNot content to be merely very good offensively, Tarleton State wants to take it up a notch this season. They have experience and depth across the entire offense, and with an almost totally new defense, they may need to extra output this fall.
Ramos is a team first guyAt first glance, the switch from an option offense to the "Air Raid" should have benefitted Anthony Ramos. After all, he left high school as the Panhandle's all-time leader in passing yardage, and with J T Thompson moving to DB, he was the only QB with meaningful playing time on the roster. Instead, he finds himself moving to a different position.
LSC Preview - Texas A&M CommerceA thumb injury early in the season hampered the Lion's offense, and though TAMC finished in the five-way logjam at the top of the LSC-North, they still finished with a sub .500 record. So it may have been a surprise to a lot of people when the AFCA preseason poll had the Lion's ranked at number 18. Is this team ready to justify that optimistic outlook?
Fowler impressed with speed, depth of Tarleton defenseAs the architect the top LSC defense last year, Cary Fowler knows a good defense when he sees one. And he likes what he is seeing this fall in Stephenville. In fact he says this year's Tarleton defense has the potential to be the most talented, fastest and deepest of any unity he has ever coached.
Gene Upshaw passes awayThe greatest offensive lineman to come out of the LSC passed away Thursday morning. Gene Upshaw will be remembered as much for his post playing career (as the executive director of the NFL Players Association) as he will be for his playing career (Pro Football Hall of Fame, 7 Pro Bowls, only player to play in Super Bowls in 3 decades). And to think, as he hitchhiked to Texas A&I with $75 in his pocket, he had no intention of playing college football.
Flemming puts running game in gearWhat a difference a year makes. Last year there were questions as to whether Keithon Flemming as the answer at running back for West Texas A&M. This year, the only questions are how much the sophomore can accomplish while playing in Canyon. A dazzling opener against top ten ranked South Dakota, led to a season in which Flemming rushed for 1,198 yds and amassed 2,069 all purpose yeards and 17 TDs.Related: Freshman LB Brown stars in scrimmage
Billy Garza gets the call from Javelinas at quarterbackWhen Texas A&M Kingsville opens their season next Thursday at North Dakota, they will have a new QB under center for the fourth consecutive season. For the first time since 2005 however, it won't be a true freshman taking the snaps. Billy Garza, a transfer from Illinois, has earned the starting nod with poise and a penchant for taking advantage of what the defense gives.
LSC Preview - Southeastern OklahomaThe Savage Storm will be gunning for their fifth straigh LSC North title (though it was an improbable 5-way tie at the top last year). More importantly they will be looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
ECU short-handed for scrimmageIt's hard enough for a D2 school at full-strength to compete with an FCS team. Injuries complicate the picture, especially when your All-American candidate at QB is one of them.
Hennings tells Mustangs: Pay the price for successSuccessful in high school, at the Air Force Academy, with the Dallas Cowboys, and now as a consultant, Chad Hennings knows what it takes to reach the top. The key component applies at every level, and is (or should) be obvious to everyone.Related: MSU offense shines in extended scrimmage
WT boasts size on linesBig and talented - those are the buzzwords coming out of Canyon regarding the lines on both sides of scrimmage. The additions of former Texas Longhorn J'Marcus Webb and Devario Dorsey, and the return of Tommy Crowley from injury should make this group of linemen the best yet. Accross the line, the talent is so good and deep, that returning All-American Brandon Swain isn't even assured of a starting position. Eugene Sims, Marcus Rowe, Texas Tech signee Marshall Broderick and Brett Watson figure in on the ends, and Dexter Manley II, Marcus Rowe and T J Nickleberry will battle for playing time at nose guard.Related: Buffs score six times in scrimmage
Trying Times - Players look to make a mark during scrimmageWhen a team uses an early scrimmage to figure out which reserves will be ready to contribute, that means they are pretty comfortable with their front line players. Does this mean that Texas A&M-Kingsville is ready to rebound from back-to-back 3-8 seasons and challenge for the top of the LSC?
Potent offense limits punter's workFor most positions, the goal is to be on the field displaying your talent as much as possible. That's not the case with Cort Johnson, and with good reason - he would rather see the West Texas A&M offense put points on the board.
Midwestern State preseason: Defense gains upper handThe defense was expected to be ahead of the offense coming into fall practices. With 7 starters, numerous reserves who contributed last year and some talented transfers, the defense looked like they were ready for the season to get underway.
UIW pumped to play footballThe first game won't kick off until 2009, but you wouldn't know from all the activity on the Incarnate Word campus. Find out what head coach Mike Santiago will be doing with his young team gearing up for its first season next year.
ASU coach likes what he sees in intrasquad scrimmage Head coach Dale Carr was pleased with what he saw and heard at the first intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday night. With an experienced young team returning, it appears that he has much to smile about.
LSC Football - Central Oklahoma PreviewThe Bronchos were unable to capitalize on last year's opening game shocker over Abilene Christian, finishing the season 4-6, but still with a share of the LSC North title. How will they replace All-American LB Will Clewis, along with two other 1st team all conference defenders, while trying to jump start an offense that was in the lower end of the LSC?
Linebackers on the attackThere's been a lot of talk about the high profile players on West Texas A&M's defensive line, but the heart of the defense is at linebacker. Expected starters Jared Brock, Eldon Grimslid, Anthony Scott and Mark Ford will have former starters Bradley Bullitt and Max Steward pushing them for playing time, making this another deep position for the defense.
ECU's Ada influxWith four Ada natives transferring back home to play for East Central (joining three freshman recruits), the Tigers will certainly have a local flavor on the field. Besides bringing in new talent, they are bringing a new attitude, a little swagger even, to a Tiger team looking to improve on a two win season.
Passcatchers aplenty for HoundsIn most years, returning your top three receivers would indicate your team is pretty set at that position. That's not the case however, when you are scrapping the run-run-run option offense for the pass-happy "Air Raid". Head coach Mark Ribaudo has 23 receivers in camp for Eastern New Mexico and he has indicated that all are in the running for playing time.
Much anticipated preseason camp begins at TarletonWith nine returning starters, the Texan offense doesn't look like it has missed a beat. Its a luxury that allows head coach Sam McElroy to rest UT-transfer Eric Foreman and let a minor knee injury heal. For the defense, its a whole new ballgame. With new players competing for almost every position, new defensive coordinator Cory Fowler has had to slow things down a bit to allow the newcomers a chance to absorb everything.
Many changes greet Mustangs as drills beginWith Daniel Polk in Dallas Cowboy training camp, the quarterback position will be the most obvious change for Midwestern State this fall. Howover it may be the new coordinators on both sides of the ball that will impact the personality of the Mustangs the most.
WT's strong-armed Null a special playerSince Don Carthel took over the head coaching duties at West Texas A&M, the program has attracted transfers from junior colleges and D1 programs. Oddly enough, the quarterback position has been the exception. Senior Keith Null leads a talented and deep group of home-grown signal callers for the Buffs.
Texan football is officially underwayTarleton State had one of the best teams in the nation, but fell just short of the playoffs due to the strength of the region in which they compete. With only one returning starter from last year's defense back, the offense may have to carry the load early on. Luckily for the Texans', the offense looks like it will be able to do just that.
Javs hit the fieldThis year is different. Practices will be geared to Head Coach Bo Atterberry's liking this fall, unlike last year, when he was thrust into his current position less than a month before fall practices started. What does that mean, and who is that wearing #17?Related: Javelinas have first practice
Quarterback living out another dreamEven the best athletes only have a shot at playing professionally in one sport...usually. Drafted in the 13th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1999, Terry Mayo spent 4 years in the organization as an outfielder. Now the athletically gifted quarterback is making his mark on the football field.Related: Texas A&M-Commerce begins fall preparations for 2008 season
Intense WorkoutVeterans, newcomers, and some returning after some time away from the program - that's who made up the 130+ players who showed up for the beginning of fall workouts. Two junior college stars, one originally committed to PAC-10 Arizona, and the other to BIG-12 Texas Tech, were among the previously unannounced newcomers.
NSU's new lookA new head coach, 60 new additions to the roster, and players switching positions are all giving the Riverhawks a brand new look this fall. Mixed in with some outstanding returnees, and its easy to see why there is excitement in the air.
Hounds have 'chip on their shoulder'The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds were recently picked to finish in last place in the LSC South division. Just don't expect head coach Mark Ribaudo to agree. The team is coming into the fall with a chip on their shoulders and that may have as big of an impact as the change of schemes for both offense and defense.
Promising WT begins workoutsVoluntary workouts, lifting weights, conditioning drills...the easy stuff is over. Real practice begins now. Among an expected 135 players, the three-time defending LSC Champion returns numerous All-American candidates on both sides of the ball, and is deeper at just about every position than anyone else in the LSC.
R-e-s-p-e-c-tWhile acknowledging that East Central University's recent past played a role in the preseason polls, head coach Kurt Nichols thinks the combination of returning players and newcomers will result in the Tigers surprising some teams.
LSC Football Preview - Eastern New MexicoThis isn't your grandmother's Greyhound football team. Eastern New Mexico is going from the only LSC team to run the option to the Air Raid spread offense. The defense is changing schemes as well. This means a lot of new personnel will be on the field at Blackwater Draw.
Rerun coming for Mustangs?Ahh, life in the LSC South....despite leading the LSC in scoring defense and finishing second in scoring offense, Midwestern State narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, losing games to playoff teams West Texas A&M and Abilene Christian by a combined 6 points. This year, the defense will return 16 starters, including 6 on defense that received postseason LSC honors in 2007, but the offense has a big question mark at QB, with the dynamic Daniel Polk now in Dallas Cowboy training camp. How do the LSC preseason pollsters see things shaking out for the Mustangs?
Buffs second in LSC South pollOk, if you're scratching your head over the pollsters pick for Midwestern State, what do you make of West Texas A&M's? Three-time defending LSC Champion, returning 16 starters (including 7 on offense and 7 on defense who received LSC accolades last year), legitimate All-American candidates at QB, RB, WR, DE and LB, returning several players injured last year, and the addition of several DI transfers - all that adds up to....
Wildcats tabbed to win LSC South in FB; Scott projected as top offensive playerHere's the reason why West Texas A&M was picked where they were - Abilene Christian. Last year, the Wildcats were held to under 40 points in just 2 games, and they return 8 offensive starters who received LSC honors. That includes RB Bernard Scott ( LSC records 2,165 yds rushing and 39 TDs), QB Billy Malone (LSC career record 8,799 yards passing) and Johnny Knox (62 receptions for 1,158 yds and 17 TDs). The question for ACU is will the defense improve enough to get them past West Texas A&M, and allow them to challenge on the national scene.
New Texan shines in prestigious All-Star gameWhat was the staff at Stephen F. Austin thinking? The Lumberjack's pulled their scholarship offer to a Copperas Cove standout, opening the door for Tarleton State to get a steal at a position that D2 schools have a difficult time filling with quality players.
Darrell Green RoundupWith Darrell Green's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) now has more inductees than schools such as Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Brigham Young and (somewhat ironically) Texas A&M and the same number as schools such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Missouri, Michigan State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and West Virginia. Let that sink in for a minute....
And then think about this, John Randle will be eligible in the near future. If he is inducted, the Javelinas would join programs like LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Purdue, Washington, and Wisconsin as schools with three representatives...
Daniel Polk Blogs from Dallas CowboyUpdated Daily on the Wichita Falls Times News Record
Abilene Christian gets another Division I QB transferTo say things have worked out well for Billy Malone and ACU would be a big understatement. Malone returns for his senior season, already the all-time LoneStar Conference passing leader in virtually every category. Now fans (and coaches) who worried about the QB position after this season can breathe a little easier. Former Ennis High School star, Clark Harrell is transferring from Tulsa to ACU and is already in Abilene getting ready for the season.
Incarnate Word gets hometown heroThey won't play their first game until 2009, but the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals have officially landed their first blue chip football recruit. Jerrell Wilkerson, who rushed for 7,249 yards and 110 TDs at Clark High School, has enrolled at UIW and will report to for football drills on August 27. Head Coach Mike Santiago, has indicated the Wilkerson will begin his football comeback at wide receiver with the possiblity of moving back to running back as his body gets used to the punishment.
Tarleton football adds another DI transferComing from the University of Texas, Tarleton Head Coach Sam McElroy knows Eric Foreman will make an impact on the playing field - he's just not completely sure where. Foreman's versatility (he played linebacker at UT, and QB and DB in high school) give McElroy plenty of options. Early indications are to start Foreman at WR, but to give him some snaps at QB every game as well. Sounds like McElroy can't go wrong.
Clemson Linebacker joining Tarleton teamIt may seem like every other story is about the Tarleton State Texans, but that's just because they've had quite a busy offseason. While the Texan's offense returns their big guns, the defense has some holes to fill. The linebacker position got some big help with the addition of former Clemson Tiger Cortney Vincent who started 13 games for the Tigers last year.
