Midwestern State remains atop the Lone Star Conference standings as the only unbeaten team at 7-0 in league play and is 8-0 overall for the second time in program history. The Mustangs have clinched at least a share of the LSC title.
MSU faces Eastern New Mexico this week and with a win can claim the championship outright. The Mustangs and Greyhounds matchup will be streamed live on ESPN3 from Portales, N.M. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT.
This week’s schedule also includes Texas A&M-Commerce at Tarleton State, Angelo State at UT Permian Basin, and Western New Mexico at West Texas A&M in league action, while Texas A&M-Kingsville hosts William Jewell for a non-conference contest.
LSC football teams are 46-39 overall this season. The squads are 5-3 combined versus the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and Great Northwest Athletic Conference teams, which are also in NCAA Super Regional Four.
LSC schedule and results available here: http://www.lonestarconference.org/calendar.aspx?path=football
LSC FOOTBALL ON ESPN3
The Lone Star Conference game between Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico on November 11 was chosen as a flex game as part of the 2017 NCAA Division II Football Showcase schedule announced last week.
The Mustangs and Greyhounds matchup, which pits two of the top teams in the LSC, will be streamed live on ESPN3 from Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium in Portales, N.M. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT.
The LSC contest between Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville on October 21 was featured as well. The Texans prevailed 41-34 over the Javelinas.
The first 18 games of the football showcase are predetermined matchups. Four additional flex games — highlighting crucial matchups — will be finalized later in the football season and played in November.
ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multiscreen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through the ESPN app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Xavier Turner, Tarleton State University, JR, RB, N. Richland Hills, Texas, Birdville HS
Turner had a record afternoon for the Texans as Tarleton's best offensive performance of the season forced No. 4 Midwestern State to overtime before falling in a 45-42 heartbreaker. Turner accounted for four of Tarleton's six touchdowns on the afternoon and became the second player in the school's senior college history to have a passing, receiving, and rushing touchdown in the same game, joining only QB Steve Kelly in 2001. His pass was a three-yard toss off a direct snap as the junior found Del'Michael High in the corner for Tarleton's first score of the game. He would go on to add a 78-yard touchdown reception, the longest of his career, a 14-yard rushing score, and a three-yard score late in the fourth quarter. With Tarleton trailing 42-28 and 9:17 left on the clock, Turner made it a one-possession game when he turned two rushes into 13 yards and a touchdown to bring the Texans within one score at the 8:04 mark. After Midwestern State was unable to convert on its possession, Turner had two rushes for 12 yards and a 10-yard reception on Tarleton's final drive to help the Texans tie the game at 42-42. For the game, he ran for a career-high 147 yards on 21 carries and two scores while hauling in six catches for 92 yards, also a career high, and a touchdown.
DEFENSIVE
Markus Jones, Angelo State University, JR, DE, Crowley, Texas, Crowley HS
Jones was a force defensively for the Rams limiting West Texas A&M to just 103 yards of total offense in the 51-3 victory. The junior recorded nine total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He forced two fumbles from his defensive end position. The 103 yards of total offense is the fewest allowed since 1999.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ian Davis, Western New Mexico, SR, Coverage, Grass Valley, Calif., Nevada Union HS
Davis set the tone for Western New Mexico right away as he blocked a punt attempt and then returned the block 20 yards for a touchdown for the early 7-0 lead four minutes into the contest. He also had an interception before halftime, a solo tackle and a pass broken up in the 35-23 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Offensive
S-4 D'Angelo Bowie, Western New Mexico
S-11 Jordan Thomas, Texas A&M-Kingsville
S-18 Luiz Perez, Texas A&M-Commerce
S-25 Xavier Turner, Tarleton State
O-2 Layton Rabb, Midwestern State
O-9 Layton Rabb, Midwestern State (2)
O-16 Luis Perez, Texas A&M-Commerce (2)
O-23 Luis Perez, Texas A&M-Commerce (3)
O-30 Kamal Cass, Eastern New Mexico
N-6 Xavier Turner, Tarleton State (2)
Defensive
S-4 Chris Smith, Texas A&M-Commerce
S-11 Daelin Young, West Texas A&M
S-18 EJ Speed, Tarleton State
S-25 Yusef Sterling-Lowe, Texas A&M-Commerce
O-2 Brad Hardin, Eastern New Mexico
O-9 Dominic Barry, Western New Mexico
O-16 Kevin Hayes, Midwestern State
O-23 Drew Bolin, Midwestern State
O-30 Brucks Saathoff, Texas A&M-Commerce
N-6 Markus Jones, Angelo State
Special Teams
S-4 Bailey Hale, Eastern New Mexico
S-11 Alex Schrag, West Texas A&M
S-18 Sergio Sroka, Tarleton State
S-25 Kristov Martinez, Texas A&M-Commerce
O-2 Ron Reid, Tarleton State
O-9 Collin Grady, Western New Mexico
O-16 Connor Flanigan, Angelo State
O-23 Collin Grady, Western New Mexico (2)
O-30 Buck Wilson, Texas A&M University-Commerce
N-6 Ian Davis, Western New Mexico