The Tarleton State Texans:

2015 Season Record: Overall (3-7) LSC Record (1-5)

Head Coach: Todd Whitten (1st Season back as Texans Head Coach) Record: 45-23 (.662)


Who returns to the Texans lineup?





Texans Offense and Texans Defense:

2016 Tarleton State Schedule:











Nov. 19 - NCAA Playoffs Begin



Coach Whitten Comments about their 2015 Schedule:
We have a great schedule. We will open with No. 9 McNeese State and our Lone Star Conference schedule will be very tough as always.

Coach's Corner with Head Coach Todd Whitten


Thank you Coach Whitten for your time and comments!


Thoughts on the Upcoming Season:
The Texans were in a downward spiral last season. Ultimately leading to the departure of previous Head Coach Cary Fowler. They bring in and welcome Head Coach Todd Whitten, who has landed at Tarleton State for a 3rd time as head coach.

The Texans had one of the worst defenses in the NCAA last season. The defense gave up 5,596 total yards. Ouch! They must improve the defense if they are going to be competitive this season. New defensive coordinator Marcus Patton will lead the Texan defense this season. The defense returns Cody Burtscher; 95 Tkls and the leader in tackles for a loss, Chase Varnado; 13.5 TFLs.

The Texans have QB Zed Woerner (198-317-8; 2,165 yards; 20 TDs) coming back to the offense. However, it appears after talking to Coach Whitten that every position is wide-open. I suspect that Woerner has a good chance to start for the Texans; but, not be surprised if he does not. My bet is that he will start for the Texans.

Additionally, leading rusher Jabari Anderson (101-621; 10 TDs) returns to the offense. The Texans also bring in 2 quality Juco Running Backs that could be a factor.

Wide Receivers Bubba Tandy returns to be a major factor in this offense again this season. Tandy returns for his senior season after suffering an injury during the 2015 season that limited his competition for the majority of the season. Looking for him to be the go-to receiver for the Texans and a top contender for LSC receiver of the year.

Overall, the Texans return an outstanding offense that will be able to compete with anyone. They have several big playmakers that look to contribute to their potent offense at many different positions. The big thing to look at the outside looking in is what can Coach Patton do with this defense in his first year as defensive coordinator.



Joe's Preseason LSC Rankings:

  1. Texas A&M Commerce
  2. .....................
  3. Eastern New Mexico
  4. .....................
  5. Tarleton State



    Tarleton State (0-0) v. #9 McNeese State (FCS Ranked) (0-0), Saturday, 7p.m. Kickoff

    Lake Charles, LA Cowboy Stadium



    What do we know about McNeese State?
    Transfer quarterback James Tabary was named as the starting QB for McNeese. It will be highly likely that backup QB Grant Ashcraft will see some playing time.

    All-Southland conference running back Ryan Ross (891 yards, 9 TDs) along with his younger brother Lawayne, returning senior Dylan Long and true freshman Justin Pratt.

    The McNeese passing game will have ample targets to choose from including all-conference junior Kent Shelby (36 catches, 668 yards, 6 TDs) along with transfers Darioius Crawley (Kansas) and Tre Roberts (Oklahoma State) with highly touted freshman Parker Orgeron.

    Defensively, McNeese should field one of the strongest defensive lines in the Southland Conference if not the entire division of FCS. The line is led by All-America candidate Isaiah GoldenAnthony Yruegas along with Golden. Yruegas will miss this game due to an injury.

    The defensive secondary will most likely be the weakness of the defense, as they return all new starters.

    McNeese Junior linebacker Ashari Goins (62 tackles, 8 TFLs, 4 sacks) returns as the top tackler and will be the leader of the defense.
    The defense is the weaker of the 2 units with many new faces.
    I suspect that if the Texans have any chance to win this, it is by exploiting the secondary and in the passing game. The greatest uncertainty is whether or not the Texans can stop the McNeese offense. That will be the key point it they can contend with McNeese.


Prediction: McNeese 47 Tarleton 17