September 25th, 2019 12:00am
The Lone Star Conference is off and running in its conference season.
In last Saturday’s opening week of league play nobody looked more impressive than the No. 4-ranked Tarleton Texans. Tarleton ran up 51 of its 58 points in the first half of a 58-28 win over West Texas A&M.
Texas A&M-Commerce and Angelo State were also extremely impressive in league-opening wins.
What will week 4 hold?
Here are the predictions for a busy weekend in the LSC.
The game: No. 15 MSU-Texas Mustangs (3-0, 1-0) at Angelo State Rams (3-0, 1-0).
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field, San Angelo.
The series: MSU-Texas leads the all-time series, 16-6.
The matchup: This is a huge game for Angelo State coach Jeff Girsch and his team in front of the home fans to prove they’re for real. The Rams have been an offensive juggernaut, ranking second in scoring nationally at 52.3 points a game. Facing No. 15 MSU-Texas will be the Rams biggest test to date. The Mustangs are their typically stingy selves, allowing only 14 ppg. However, the MSU-Texas offense has seen its inconstancies on the offensive side of the ball.
Prediction: Angelo State 29, MSU-Texas 23.
The game:No. 11 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (3-0) at Colorado State-Pueblo ThunderWolves (2-1).
When:6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl, Pueblo, Colo.
The series: CSU-Pueblo won the lone meeting in this series, 23-13, last season.
The matchup: Texas A&M-Commerce hasn’t forgotten that Colorado State-Pueblo came into Memorial Stadium and stunned the Lions, 23-13, last season. TAMC now has a chance to return the favor. Quarterback Miklo Smalls had his best start against Eastern New Mexico, throwing for 235 yards with four touchdowns.
The ThunderWolves were shaken last week at home by Colorado Mines, 34-14. However, coach John Wristen’s team is still one of the best in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Prediction: Texas A&M-Commerce 29, CSU-Pueblo 16.
The game: No. 4 Tarleton Texans (3-0, 1-0) at UT Permian Basin Falcons (2-1, 0-1).
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa.
The series: Tarleton leads the all-time series, 3-0.
The matchup: Tarleton put the LSC on notice last week that they are a national contender for a Division II championship dismantling West Texas A&M, 58-28, and the score wasn’t even that close. The Texans are firing on all cylinders at the moment. Nationally, Tarleton ranks second in total offense (567 ypg), fifth in scoring (50.3 ppg), and fourth in total defense (205 ypg).
UT Permian Basin needs to play perfect football to give itself a chance.
Prediction: Tarleton 55, UT Permian Basin 16.
The game:Western New Mexico Mustangs (0-3, 0-0) at West Texas A&M Buffaloes (2-1, 0-1).
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Where: J Ferg Field at Buffalo Stadium.
The series: West Texas A&M leads the all-time series 6-3, and hold a 2-1 advantage LSC matchups.
The matchup: It was a rough weekend for West Texas A&M in Stephenville. But coach Hunter Hughes and the Buffs have put the loss to Tarleton behind them, regrouped and are looking forward. WT is a good football team, and will want to prove it against an eager Mustangs squad eager for a win. The key will be for the Buffs to jump out early to gain confidence.
Prediction: West Texas A&M 34, Western New Mexico 14.
The game: Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas (1-2, 0-1) at Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds (2-1, 1-0).
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
The series: Texas A&M-Kingsville leads the all-time series, 24-10.
The matchup: This is a matchup of two teams that had disappointing starts to LSC play. The Greyhounds and Javelinas were roughed up defensively, each giving up over 40 points in last weeks losses. ENMU is tough to beat in Portales, N.M. The Greyhounds will use their ground and pound behind league’s leading rusher Paul Terry (483 yards).
Prediction: Eastern New Mexico 35, Texas A&M-Kingsville 24.
LSC stat leaders through week four
PASSING
Western New Mexico QB CJ Fowler leads the LSC averaging 274.3 yards a game. Fowler has a QB rating of 114.3, going 65 of 119 for 823 yards and three TDs.
RUSHING
Eastern New Mexico’s Paul Terry has a racked up 483 yards in three games. The senior is averaging 5.6 yards a carry, 161 yards a game, and has found the endzone three times.
RECEIVING
Angelo State speedster Keke Chism is off to a fantastic start to the year. Chism has hauled in 20 catches for 314 yards with three TD receptions. He’s been able to average 15.7 yards a catch so far.
TACKLES
UT Permian Basin linebacker Chris Hoad hasn’t disappointed since being named LSC Defensive Player of the Year. Hoad has made a conference-best 33 tackles with 19 solo tackles this season.
LSC Standings
Team LSC Overall
Tarleton 1-0 3-0
MSU-Texas. 1-0 3-0
E. New Mexico 0-1 2-1
A&M-Commerce 1-0 3-0
West Texas A&M 0-1 2-1
Angelo State 1-0 3-0
UT Permian Basin 0-1 2-1
A&M-Kingsville 0-1 1-2
W. New Mexico 0-0 0-3
Week 4
Saturday’s games
W. New Mexico at W. Texas A&M, 6 p.m.
MSU-Texas at Angelo State, 6 p.m.
Texas A&M-Commerce at CSU-Pueblo, 6 p.m.
Tarleton at UT Permian Basin, 7 p.m.
Texas A&M-Kingsville at E. New Mexico, 7 p.m.