October 4th, 2016 12:00am
Texas A&M-Kingsville has not won a regular season Lone Star Conference game since 2012.
For those fans newer to the D2 landscape who might not realize just how unbelievable this is, let me help paint a picture for you. Think of that traditional power in your conference, like Shepherd in the MEC, Carson-Newman in the SAC or North Alabama in the GSC. Now imagine that traditional power going more than three years without winning a conference game. Seems unimaginable right? Well, this is the painful reality TAMUK fans have had to deal with over the past few seasons.
Between 1988 and 2010, TAMUK made 15 NCAA D2 playoff appearances and won 13 LSC titles. The Javelinas appeared in the 1994 national championship game and made four other appearances in the national semifinals. They were not just the team to beat in the LSC, they were among a handful of programs during that timeframe that could be considered a true national power.
All of this is what makes what happened to TAMUK so shocking and really a cautionary tale for any program that might be getting too comfortable at the top. After decades of consistency amongst head coaches, the Javelinas had four different head coaches from 2012 to 2015 which led to many of the problems the program has had.
But even though TAMUK*s LSC losing streak now sits at 21 after back to back heartbreaking losses to Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce, I am here to tell you that success is just around the corner for the Javelinas.
In his second year running the program, Daren Wilkinson has re-established pride and competitiveness on the field. TAMUK is on the rise and it would not surprise me to see this team finish this season with a winning record in the LSC. As a long-time follower of D2 football, it would be nice to see Texas A&M-Kingsville back among the country*s elite programs.
News and Notes from Last Week
-Fairmont State beat Alderson Broaddus 16-3 on Saturday to go to 4-0 on the season. This is the first time in 35 years that the Falcons have started a season with four straight wins. FSU has been doing it with defense as the Falcons allow just 73 rushing yards and 11 points per game. It will be interesting to see if this team can maintain its performance and challenge Shepherd for the MEC title.
-To me, Western State*s Austin Ekeler has move to the front of the pack for Harlon Hill consideration after his performance on Saturday. Ekeler rushed for 316 yards and accounted for five total touchdowns in his team*s 45-31 win over Colorado Mines. Ekeler rushed for an incredible 171 yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone as he single-handedly rallied his team from a 10 point deficit.
-Albany State has to be the best three loss team in the country. The Rams (1-3) lost 27-23 to West Georgia on Saturday despite out gaining the Wolves. They lost in similar fashion to Valdosta State in the season opener sandwiched around a 28-18 loss to Tuskegee.
-I know most readers are aware the fact that West Georgia*s Will Hall is widely regarded as one of the top young coaches in D2. But here is another young coach to keep tabs on: Bob Chesney from Assumption. Chesney has led successful turnarounds at both Assumption and D-III Salve Regina and has already racked up 51 career coaching wins in six-plus seasons at the two schools. Assumption won a school-record 11 games last year and is on the same path this year with a 4-0 start.
-Nick Pieruccini played running back for Minnesota State for the first two weeks of the season. But after struggling offensively, the Mavericks switched him back to quarterback the last two weeks and he has delivered. Over the past two weeks Pieruccini has passed for 462 yards, run for 227 and accounted for eight touchdowns with no turnovers.
-Through the first four years of GLVC football, Indianapolis was the dominant program as the Greyhounds won all four league titles and went 30-1 against conference opponents. However, Indy is just 1-3 overall this season and 0-1 in the conference. The Greyhounds will be on the road at a good Truman State team on Saturday.
- Minnesota-Duluth (3-1) is allowing 40 points per game through the first four weeks. Incredible isn*t it? 40 points was half a season*s worth for the UMD defense back in the national championship seasons. Fortunately for the Bulldogs they have a great offense, led by senior quarterback Drew Bauer, who is having a very nice season.
Top Games this Week
LIU Post (4-0) at Assumption (4-0)
This looks like the game of the year in the Northeast 10. In fact, these two teams are the only ones in the league with less than two losses. These are the top two of the top defenses in the conference and these two teams have the best offenses in the league as well. However, Assumption is just so explosive and balanced offensively I think it will be hard for the Pioneers to keep pace.
Assumption 41 LIU Post 30
Slippery Rock (4-0) at California (3-0)
Take a look at California on paper and you would think they are the best team in the country. The Vulcans lead the nation scoring (66.3 PPG), scoring defense (6.7 PPG), rushing defense (29.3) and turnover margin (2.67). However, the Vulcans have also played a soft schedule and SRU will be their first real test. I will be very interested to see how this game plays out.
California 31 Slippery Rock 24
Notre Dame (3-1) at Glenville State (3-1)
Both teams lost their first games of the season last week, so there is pressure on both teams to bounce back. Both of these teams can score points, but I am going with GSC in this game because the Pioneers play much better defense: NDC is last in the MEC giving up 444 yards per game.
Glenville State 37 Notre Dame 30
Sioux Falls (4-0) at Augustana (3-1)
These two schools are literally across the street from each other, which adds a special component to this rivalry, known as the "Key to the City" game. Last year the Vikings won 35-28, the first time they had beat USF since the Cougars moved to the NSIC in 2012. Although I expect Trey Heid and the Viking offense to score some points, they will have a very difficult time containing a USF run game that averages 380 yards and 9.1 yards per carry. Sioux Falls 42 Augustana 31
UNC-Pembroke (4-0) at Tuskegee (4-0)
This is a very interesting mid-season non-conference game that will have playoff implications in Super Region 2. Tuskegee has played outstanding defense so far this year, yielding just 248 yards and 14 points per game. The Braves offense will provide a stiff test as they average nearly 40 points per game. I have to go with the Golden Tigers at home.
Tuskegee 27 UNC-Pembroke 24
Minnesota State (3-1) at Winona State (3-1)
The Warriors upset the Mavericks last year, handing them their only regular season loss. As I mentioned earlier, MSU is a different team offensively with Nick Pieruccini playing quarterback. However, the WSU defense has performed pretty well this season and the Warriors have a very accomplished passer in Jack Nelson to lead the offense. This should be a very good game.
Winona State 34 Minnesota State 30
CSU-Pueblo (2-2) at Colorado Mesa (4-0)
Despite the fact that standout running back Bernard McDondle has been sidelined with an injury the last two weeks, the Thunderwolves have been able to get back on track a bit to even their record at 2-2. There is obviously no room for error if CSUP is going to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. CMU*s secret to success is that they have only turned the ball over once all season, despite having a defense that has been porous at times as they allow 458 yards per game. If the Thunderwolves can hold on to the football they have a chance.
CSU-Pueblo 30 Colorado Mesa 28
McKendree (3-1) at Southwest Baptist (4-0)
SBU is 4-0 for the first time in 29 years and they will be taking on a McKendree team that has a good defense and is unbeaten against D2 competition. SBU wins with a productive offense, while McKendree*s defense is its strong suit.
Southwest Baptist 24 McKendree 20
Ouachita Baptist (3-1) at Harding (4-0)
These have been the two top offenses in the GAC so far this year, but Harding has been a much better team defensively as the Bisons allow just 164 yards of offense per game. Plus, that Harding triple option offense is so hard to defend because the balance makes it hard to key on any one player: Nine different Bisons have scored a rushing touchdown and eight have at least 96 rushing yards.
Harding 40 Ouachita Baptist 23
Central Missouri (3-1) versus Northwest Missouri State (4-0)
This game is played at Kansas City*s Arrowhead Stadium and a nice crowd is expected for these two MIAA rivals. A bit of the luster has worn off this game due to UCM losing in double OT to Emporia State last week, but the Mules have traditionally played NWMSU tough so I expect this to be a decent game. At the end of the day, however, this game comes down to one thing: The Bearcats are deeper, stronger and faster on the defensive side of the ball.
Northwest Missouri 34 Central Missouri 21
West Georgia (4-0) at North Alabama (2-1)
This is looking like the game of the year in the GSC. Despite having a great defense, the Wolves have had a surprisingly difficult time getting it going offensively. New starting quarterback Will Gardner is completing only 48% of his passes and UWG has turned the ball over nine times already this fall. If UNA can move the ball some against the UWG defense, I expect this to be a very good game.
West Georgia 23 North Alabama 19
Mailbag
[Q]Which team do you think has been biggest disappointment so far this season?
[A] There are really three teams that jump out at me as big disappointments so far:
St. Cloud State (1-3): Since the Huskies returned most of their roster from a team that went 6-5 last season. I really expected SCSU to challenge for the NSIC North title and a playoff berth. Instead they have already lost three games and weren*t competitive at all in losses to Minnesota State and Sioux Falls.
Southwestern Oklahoma State (0-4): The Bulldogs won eight games last year and it appeared as if they might be turning the corner and becoming a team to consistently be reckoned with in the GAC. With nine returning starters on offense that was very successful at the end of last year, I thought SWOSU would put up enough points to compete with anyone. Instead, the Bulldogs have struggled with inconsistency and turnovers and the defense has been shredded the last two weeks. It won*t get any easier with a good Southeastern Oklahoma State coming to down this Saturday.
Lenoir-Rhyne (1-3): Yes, we all expected to see this program go through some growing pains with a new head coach and complete change in offensive scheme. But honestly, the 2016 season has been a disaster so far. How bad is it? LRU lost 31-13 to Limestone last Saturday. In 2013 LRU was in the D2 national championship game while Limestone didn*t even have a football program yet. Ouch.
Contact
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