September 15th, 2022 10:00am
Week 3 Preview
Week 3 goes further into conference play with four games, including Simon Fraser’s LSC (and 2022) debut at home in Canada against old GNAC rival Central Washington. In Canyon, undefeated teams clash when Texas A&M-Kingsville faces their first Division 2 opponent of 2022 in West Texas A&M. There are also two non-conference matchups with Eastern New Mexico taking on former LSC and current Division 1 Tarleton State and Midwestern State hosts Michigan Tech out of the GLIAC.
All games are on Saturday, September 17. All game times are in the Central time zone.
Central Washington (1-1, 1-0 LSC) at Simon Fraser (0-0), 3:00 PM
Series History: Central Washington leads 40-10
Last meeting: 2021 (Central Washington won 70-0 and went 2-0 against SFU in 2021)
Simon Fraser has their 2022 debut in Canada against old GNAC rival Central Washington. They also debut their new team name, the Red Leafs. Whatever name they are called, they have been dominated by the Wildcats, with CWU last losing to SFU in 2013, which happens to be the last time SFU won more than one game in a season. SFU is in year two of another rebuilding process under head coach Mike Rigell, with quarterback Justin Seiber likely to lead the offense and linebacker Drew Nicholson the defense. CWU looks to have a full game on offense, with Quincy Glasper and the passing game complimenting Tre’Jon Henderson and the running game, although if last year’s games were any indication, CWU might just want to keep it on the ground. The CWU defense would like a repeat of last week’s performance where they turned over Western New Mexico four times, all on interceptions.
Central Washington is in game shape and SFU has been waiting to start, and I think that along with what is still a significant talent disparity will tip the game in the Wildcats’ favor despite the game being in Canada. Central Washington by 21 to 28 points.
D2football.com #4 Angelo State (2-0) at Texas-Permian Basin (1-1), 6:00 PM
Series History: Angelo State leads 5-0
Last meeting: 2021 (Angelo State won 34-14)
Is Angelo State looking at a letdown after last week’s huge win? On the other hand, is UTPB looking at a letdown after winning in double overtime? Could UTPB catch Angelo State looking ahead to next week’s clash with West Texas A&M? On paper, this matchup should be tailor-made for an Angelo State win, with the Falcons averaging just 221 yards of offense in their first two games, and Angelo State is giving up just 249 yards per game on defense. UTPB has also had significant issues with time of possession as well, not a good sign with a team that runs the ball as well as the Rams. Despite their win last week, UTPB has yet to show they are at the level of the LSC’s top teams and definitely not Angelo State. Angelo State wins by 14 to 21 points.
Eastern New Mexico (1-1, 0-1 LSC) at Tarleton State (Division 1-Western Athletic Conference, 1-1), 6:00 PM
Series History: Eastern New Mexico leads 15-13
Last meeting: 2019 (Tarleton State won 49-10)
Former LSC member Tarleton State is coming off a 59-10 loss to TCU of the Big 12 Conference. They are led by second-year quarterback Beau Allen, who has 500 yards passing, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Deangelo Rosemond leads in rushing with 130 yards, and two receivers have over 180 yards receiving. Linebacker DJ Harris leads in tackles with 13, but the defense has only caused one turnover in their first two games. ENMU gave Midwestern State a good run for most of last week’s loss, and their defense will need to be at the front of any possible upset bid. This is a case of a so-so Division 2 team taking on a so-so Division 1 team, and most of the time those matchups go to the Division 1 team. Tarleton State by 21 to 28 points.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-0) at D2football.com #12 West Texas A&M (2-0), 7:00 PM
Series History: Texas A&M-Kingsville leads 18-17
Last meeting: 2021 (West Texas A&M won 35-23)
Both TAMUK And West Texas A&M are 2-0 and are looking to stake a claim to the top of the LSC. Now we start to see what Texas A&M-Kingsville and West Texas A&M are all about. We know a bit more about the Buffaloes with their two wins against RMAC schools, but the Javelinas, not so much yet given their schedule. We will certainly learn a lot more about the Buffaloes next week when they take on Angelo State, but they can’t be caught looking ahead against a Javelinas squad that could be dangerous.
It remains to be seen if the Javelinas are at LSC game speed after the first two weeks. It might take a half for them to get used to LSC game speed, and it could be too much for them to come back in the second half. If the Javelinas can defend well, especially early in the game, they could keep it close and possibly spring the upset. I think West Texas A&M gets out quick and catches the Javelinas flat-footed. West Texas A&M by 14 to 17 points.
Western Oregon (1-1) at Western New Mexico (1-1, 0-1 LSC), 7:00 PM
Series History: Western Oregon leads 3-0
Last meeting: 2017 (Western Oregon won 58-21)
Western Oregon is coming off a 41-10 win over Lincoln University of California, a win where they had solid games from both their offense and their defense. WNMU stayed in it for as long as they could despite Devin Larsen having one of his worst games as the Mustangs’ quarterback, throwing four interceptions, including a pick-six that changed the course of the game for WNMU. For the Mustangs to win, Larsen needs to be much better and spread the ball around. The WNMU defense needs to get off the field and prevent WOU from having additional opportunities and long drives. I wouldn’t be surprised if this one went right down to the wire, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mustangs came away with the win, but I’m taking the Wolves. Western Oregon in a nail-biter by 3 points.
Michigan Tech (GLIAC, 1-1) at Midwestern State (1-1, 1-0 LSC), 7:00 PM
Series History: First meeting
Midwestern State has a chance to get a few wins behind them if they can hold serve at home against their visitors from the GLIAC. Michigan Tech was picked to finish third in the GLIAC in the 2022 preseason poll, at the top of the second tier of GLIAC teams behind titans Ferris State and Grand Valley State. Like Texas A&M-Kingsville, the Huskies are playing their first Division 2 opponent this week, having beaten Division 3 Wisconsin-Platteville and losing to Division 1 St. Thomas of Minnesota. It is their second-ever game against the LSC, with their only game a 42-41 home loss to Angelo State in the 2014 playoffs, and it is their first-ever trip to Texas (hope they enjoy the BBQ). The Huskies have used a combination of quarterbacks, with either Will Ark (69 yards passing) or Steele Fortress (131 yards passing) taking the snaps. William Marano (90 yards) is the Huskies’ leading rusher and Darius Willis leads in receiving with 7 catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Huskies haven’t impressed on offense, registering 213 and 150 total yards in their first two games. Defenders to watch include defensive end Austin Schlicht, who was second in the GLIAC in 2021 with 8 sacks, leading tackler Marc Sippel (20 tackles and 1.5 sacks), and defensive end Josh Cribben, who leads the team with 2 sacks. This is a team whose strength is clearly on the defensive side.
Midwestern State needs to build on their efforts in the second half of their win last week. Show the offensive balance with Neiko Hollins and Devin Cross, and another Dylon Davis pick-six couldn’t hurt. This looks like a low-scoring grind of a game that could be decided by the special teams, and MSU kicker Ritse Vaes is among the nation’s best placekickers. Midwestern State wins by 7 points.