Tarleton State clinched a share of the Lone Star Conference Championship for the second straight season. The Texans remain undefeated at 10-0 overall and 7-0 in league play.
This week features four LSC games and one non-conference contest. The Texas A&M-Commerce at Angelo State game will air via live television broadcast as part of LSC Football on Nexstar.
LSC football teams are 49-40 overall this season. The squads are 7-5 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 NEXSTAR
The Lone Star Conference and Nexstar Media Group, Inc. announced a new partnership to bring college football fans exclusive coverage of multiple matchups featuring NCAA Division II teams via live television broadcast and streaming online video.
Four LSC games - Western New Mexico at Texas A&M-Commerce (Oct. 26), Midwestern State at Tarleton State (Nov. 2), West Texas A&M at Texas A&M-Kingsville (Nov. 9), and Texas A&M-Commerce at Angelo State (Nov. 16) - will air via live television broadcast and/or streaming online video exclusively on network-affiliated stations and/or websites owned by Nexstar and select broadcast partners including: KTAB (Abilene), KASY (Albuquerque), KCPN (Amarillo), KBVO (Austin), KVEO (Brownsville), KTSM (El Paso), KLBK (Lubbock), KMID (Midland/Odessa), KSAN (San Angelo), KTPN (Tyler), KWKT (Waco) and KJBO (Wichita Falls).
LSC FOOTBALL ON ESPN3
A pair of Lone Star Conference games will be featured as part of the 2019 Division II football showcase schedule on ESPN3.
The Midwestern State at Texas A&M-Commerce match-up on October 12 in Commerce, Texas, and the Texas A&M-Commerce at West Texas A&M contest on November 2 in Canyon, Texas, were selected to be streamed on ESPN3, and available on the ESPN App.
ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multiscreen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible on computers via ESPN.com/watch and on smartphones, tablets and streaming devices through the ESPN app. The network currently is available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It also is available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.
LSC TO HOST 2019 DIVISION II FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Following a tremendous experience in 2018, the NCAA Division II Football Committee has chosen McKinney Independent School District Stadium in McKinney, Texas, as the host site of the 2019-21 Division II football national championship games.
The 2019 title game is set for 2 p.m. CST on Saturday, Dec. 21 and will be televised live by ESPNU.
The Lone Star Conference in conjunction with McKinney ISD hosted the 2018 championship game.
McKinney ISD Stadium and Community Event Center, a 12,000-seat facility built primarily for football, will host the Division II Football Championship games on Dec. 21, 2019, Dec. 19, 2020 and Dec. 18, 2021.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Paul Terry, Eastern New Mexico, SR, Business Administration, RB, Amarillo, Texas, Randall HS
Terry broke the Eastern New Mexico single-season rushing record in the Greyhound's 20-17 upset over #21 Angelo State with season-best 233 yards on 40 carries. The senior passed E'lon Spight's previous record total of 1,611 yards in a season on a 14-yard touchdown score early in the fourth quarter that tied the ball game at 10-10. That score by the Amarillo, Texas native capped off a 23-play, 90-yard drive that flipped the momentum in the contest and helped ENMU force overtime and earn their seventh win of the season. Terry has rushed for 1,681 yards on the season, ranking second in Division II, with 100 yards or more in every game this year. He also matched the school record he set earlier in the season with 40 carries.
DEFENSIVE
Mazin Richards, Eastern New Mexico, FR, Business Administration, DE, Burleson. Texas, Centennial HS
Richards put together his best performance of his freshman season on Saturday night, providing a key part in the Greyhound's seven sacks as a team in their overtime win over #21 Angelo State on Saturday night. Richards totaled 3.5 sacks against the Rams to help limit the Ram offense to just 265 total yards on the evening. The Burleson, Texas native finished the night with six tackles, 2.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks and leads the Lone Star Conference with 10 sacks on the year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tyler Vargas, Eastern New Mexico, SR, University Studies, K, San Diego, Calif., Ramona HS
Vargas connected on what would end up being the game-winning field goal for Eastern New Mexico on a 39-yard make to cap off the Hound's first possession in overtime to upset #21 Angelo State by a 20-17 final. Vargas was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal attempts for the game, putting the first points on the board for the Greyhounds with a 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Vargas also handled the punting duties for the Greyhounds, averaging 40.7 yards a punt on his three attempts. The San Diego, Calif. native pinned the Rams inside their own 20-yard line once and leads the Lone Star Conference with 13 made fields goals on the year.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Offensive
S-9 Daniel McCants, Tarleton State
S-16 Wyatt Strand, Eastern New Mexico
S-23 Miklo Smalls, Texas A&M-Commerce
S-30 Zimari Manning, Tarleton State
O-7 Paul Terry, Eastern New Mexico
O-14 Miklo Smalls, Texas A&M-Commerce (2)
O-21 Triston Williams, Midwestern State
O-28 Daniel McCants, Tarleton State (2)
N-4 Miklo Smalls, Texas A&M-Commerce (3)
N-11 Paul Terry, Eastern New Mexico (2)
Defensive
S-9 Melik Owens, Midwestern State
S-16 Quincy Arceneaux, Eastern New Mexico
S-23 B.J. Jefferson, Tarleton State
S-30 Josh Quinton, Angelo State
O-7 B.J. Jefferson, Tarleton State (2)
O-14 B.J. Jefferson, Tarleton State (3)
O-21 Jai Edwards, Tarleton State
O-28 Mike Jones, West Texas A&M
N-4 Prince Robinson, Tarleton State
N-11 Mazin Richards, Eastern New Mexico
Special Teams
S-9 Jaron Imbriani, Midwestern State
S-16 Tobias Harris, West Texas A&M
S-23 Dominique Ramsey, Texas A&M-Commerce
S-30 Donte Ross, Texas A&M-Kingsville
O-7 Justin Manyweather, Eastern New Mexico
O-14 Josh Wilson, Texas A&M-Kingsville
O-21 Tyler Vargas, Eastern New Mexico
O-28 Dominique Ramsey, Texas A&M-Commerce (2)
N-4 Ben Galaviz, UT Permian Basin
N-11 Tyler Vargas, Eastern New Mexico (2)
SELECTED NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Daniel McCants, Tarleton State, etched his name into the Tarleton record books with his third straight 200-yard rushing game in a 58-3 rout over William Jewell on the road to move to 10-0 on the season. McCants became the first player in school history to run for 200 yards in three consecutive games. McCants totaled 225 yards on just 15 carries – an average of 15 yards per carry – and scored two touchdowns. The senior from Killeen had touchdown runs of 84 and 61 yards. McCants helped the Texans set a new school record for total yards in a game with 682. McCants extended his NCAA Division II national lead in yards per carry from 8.7 yards to 9.3 yards.
Nick Gerber, West Texas A&M, did it all for the Buffs as they overcame a 17-point first half deficit to defeat Texas A&M-Kingsville 35-31 on the road. The redshirt sophomore completed 13-of-23 passes for 149 yards but did most of his damage on the ground with a career-high 110 yards and three touchdowns. He scored the first three touchdowns of the game for the Buffs including a pair of 32-yard runs as WT defeated the Javelinas in Kingsville for the first time since 2015.
Miklo Smalls, Texas A&M-Commerce, continued his run of excellent play in the Lions' 44-13 win over UT Permian Basin, completing 21-of-33 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 73 yards. He had a long completion of 78 yards on a touchdown pass to Matt Childers in the third quarter. He is tied for the lead in conference play with 20 passing touchdowns, and his 78-yard completion to Childers is the longest pass play in LSC games this year.
Ryan Martinez, Texas A&M-Kingsville, had a career day for TAMUK as he recorded seven catches for 129 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-31 loss to West Texas A&M on Saturday. All three categories were single-game bests for the Kingsville native as he caught his first touchdown for 53 yards on the opening drive of the game and added a 30-yard catch early in the second to push the Hogs' lead to 17-0. The 53-yard strike was the longest touchdown reception of the year for any Javelina wide receiver as Martinez pushed his season total to three.
Chris Hoad, UT Permian Basin, added 12 tackles to his total against Texas A&M Commerce. Hoad had a tackle for loss for two yards and added a fumble recovery for the Falcons.
Eric Collins, West Texas A&M, had one of his best games of year on Saturday as West Texas A&M fought back from a 17-point first half deficit to defeat Texas A&M-Kingsville 35-31 on Saturday. The junior linebacker finished with seven tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted) including three tackles for loss and a sack for a defense that held the Javelinas 45 rushing yards. The Cedar Hill. Native ranks sixth in the conference in tackles for loss with 12.
Jordan Wells, Tarleton State, had a career game for the Texans as they downed William Jewell 58-3 on the road to move to 10-0 on the season. Wells posted a team-leading seven tackles with a career-high 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in the win. It’s the most tackles for loss in a game by a Texan since Rufus Johnson had 6 in 2011 against Texas A&M-Commerce and the first 3-sack game by a Texan since Chase Varnado in 2016. Wells and the Texans held William Jewell to a season-low -4 rushing yards on 37 carries. For the game, the Cardinals managed only 159 yards against the Texan defense that entered the game No. 3 nationally in tackles for loss. As a team, the Texans posted season highs with 17.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Kason Franklin, Texas A&M-Kingsville, had an impact in every phase of the defense game as the sophomore from Cypress, Texas, posted six tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the loss to West Texas A&M on Saturday. He punched the ball free on WT's opening possession that led to a 35-yard field goal and added a 48-yard interception return near the end of the first quarter that fed into a 30-yard touchdown strike four plays later to push the Javelinas' lead to 17-0 early in the second.
Kader Kohou, Texas A&M-Commerce, returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown on the opposition's first play in the Lions' 44-13 win over UT Permian Basin. He had two total interceptions in the game, as the Lions picked the Falcons off four times. He also had four tackles from his cornerback position, was in on a tackle for loss, and added another pass breakup for three total passes defended.
Jake Viquez, Texas A&M-Commerce, scored 14 points kicking on 3-of-4 field goals and 5-of-5 PATs in the Lions' 44-13 win over UT Permian Basin. His first field goal attempt was blocked, but he then made kicks of 38, 47, and 48 yards in succession. The 14 kicking points is the most in an LSC game this season. He also averaged 43.0 yards per punt on four attempts and was excellent on his nine kickoffs. He ranks second in the conference in kicking points per game.
Christian Hernandez, Tarleton State, made a 26-yard field goal and seven extra points in Tarleton’s 58-3 rout over William Jewell to move to 10-0.
Tobias Harris, West Texas A&M, provided the spark West Texas A&M needed in their 35-31 comeback victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday afternoon at Javelina Stadium. The sophomore finished the game with five returns for 108 yards and a score including the game-winning 72-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. With that return, he broke the school record for most punt return yards in a single season set back in 1966. For the season, he ranks first in Division II and third in all of college football in punt return average (24.3).