Week 7 of the Non-FBS season saw Houston Christian post its first shutout against an FCS opponent in program history and Angelo State secure a key win. At the same time, Lamar announced itself as a threat to win the Southland Conference, and Hardin-Simmons continues to win despite multiple injuries.

First Down: Houston Christian defense shines in win

To say Braxton Harris has been successful in his first season at the helm of Houston Christian would be an understatement. The Huskies earned their third win of the season with a 30-0 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday. The three wins are the third most in a season since HCU began football in 2014, and six wins isn’t out of the question for the Huskies this year.

HCU hosts an improving Texas A&M-Commerce squad following a bye week and has two winnable road games at Northwestern State and McNeese remaining. The most impressive stats from the Huskies win over the Panthers came from a defense that held PVAMU to 110 total yards of offense, including only 20 yards rushing. The shutout was the first against an FCS opponent in program history.

Second Down: Angelo State secures key win over Texas A&M-Kingsville

As expected, yards were not easy for either team through the air or on the ground Saturday. However, the Rams defense forced four interceptions and scored 35 points in the middle two quarters for a 38-16 victory over the Javelinas. Despite the loss, Texas A&M-Kingsville could still reach the playoffs but will need to win all four remaining games, including three games on the road.

The victory set up a crucial matchup for Angelo State next week when they host UTPB. A Rams win next week would keep their hopes of at least a share of the Lone Star Conference title alive, while a Falcons win would keep them undefeated in the LSC with three games remaining in the regular season.

Third Down: Lamar is a threat to win the Southland Conference

You're likely curious about the headline if you didn’t read last week’s edition of Four Downs. Make no mistake, Lamar is one of the hottest teams in Texas college football right now after securing its fourth straight win on Saturday. The Cardinals took advantage of two interceptions and one fumble to defeat Southeastern Louisiana 30-24 in Hammond, La.

The Cardinals are a threat to win the Southland Conference this season and have three of their next four games at home following the bye week. Lamar opens the final stretch of the regular season by hosting UIW, with the Cardinals lone road game during that stretch coming against Nicholls in Week 11

Fourth Down: Cowboy Up

You won’t hear Hardin-Simmons coach Jesse Burleson use injuries as an excuse for the Cowboys seemingly recent struggles. The word ‘struggles’ might not apply, considering HSU is 5-1 this season. However, I imagine the words ‘Cowboy up ’ are often used around the program. HSU has been ravaged by injuries this year.

The Cowboys defense has lost three defensive starters this season that earned All-American Southwest Conference honors last year. Jordan Hammonds was injured during fall camp and will miss the season. Davonte Nephew suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2, and Matt Mitchell has yet to return following an appendectomy before HSU’s Week 4 contest at Endicott. The Cowboys are also without Cade Michna, who was among the nation’s leaders in tackles before suffering an injury against Endicott.

The offense hasn’t been immune from the injury bug, with starting center Michael Callahan currently out and quarterback Gaylon Glynn returning this week for his first action since the trip to Endicott.