December 4th, 2025 4:00am
Second Round Recap
#11 Texas-Permian Basin wins at #18 Western Colorado 21-15 (1 OT)
Like the 2023 matchup in Gunnison, UTPB fell behind big, with Western Colorado grinding out to a 15-0 lead on the strength of their defense, some timely passing by Drew Nash (11 of 26 passes for 105 yards, 1 touchdown, and an interception), and Adam Tasei’s accurate leg. UTPB – you can’t say that. The Falcons, even after intercepting Nash on the game’s first drive, repeatedly and consistently shot themselves in the foot on a day where they ultimately outgained WCU by 471 to 219 yards. This is how UTPB’s first-half drives went:
The Falcons’ third quarter was no better, with 2 punts and an interception. This game was looking a whole lot like the ugly Bemidji State loss from 2023 all over again. Then, as the clock turned to the fourth quarter, the offensive efficiency UTPB was known for all season finally made an appearance as Kanon Gibson (38 of 51 passes for 354 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception) used short, quick passes to avoid the vaunted WCU pass rush to move the Falcons 75 yards in 13 plays for their first points of the game on a 6-yard pass to Traylen Suel (5 catches for 65 yards). A successful 2-point play made the score 15-8, and UTPB finally had hope. UTPB’s fortunes then turned to their favor even further when WCU running back Bailey Quinn (12 carries for 44 yards) fumbled the ball to Jamarion Ravenell on the Mountaineers’ first play after getting the ball back, setting up UTPB at the WCU 29-yard line. 3 plays later, Gibson scored on a 13-yard run and a very boring and conventional extra point sequence followed:
Even with all the issues UTPB had on offense and special teams, the Falcons had the momentum and found themselves at the WCU 12-yard line with 37 seconds left with a chance to take the lead. But Diaz’ 30-yard field goal try was (can you guess?) blocked again and the game went to overtime. WCU won the toss and elected to play defense as most teams do, and Gibson found Jaylon Tillman (8 catches for 66 yards) twice to cover the 25 yards and put the Falcons on top. Diaz’ extra point was blocked (Really? What are the odds?) and it was WCU’s turn, now trailing for the first time all game. WCU went nowhere on their first two plays and 1 UTPB and 2 WCU penalties made it third and 15. Nash’s third- and fourth-down passes were broken up, and the Falcons celebrated their comeback win to break WCU’s winning streak against the LSC.
A great, albeit ugly, win for UTPB, but on a side note I hope Angel Diaz has “closer’s memory”, which in baseball is when a closer loses a game but has to quickly put it in the past since he may be called on to close out the next game. That was as rough a day as I’ve ever seen a kicker have.
Texas-Permian Basin improves to 11-2 and advances to the Super Region 4 Final. Western Colorado falls to 10-3 and their season concludes.
Super Region 4 Final Preview
The LSC is back in the Super Region 4 Final. An LSC team has made every Super Region 4 Final since 2017 except for last season. However, no LSC team has won the region since 2017, when East Texas A&M (then Texas A&M-Commerce) won the region and ultimately the national championship. For the Super Region title to come back to Texas, UTPB will have as difficult a test as any team in the country will have when they face Harding. The 2023 national champions have been neck-and-neck with Ferris State as the country’s top 2 teams, and the Bisons, as you will see, have been most impressive in earning their undefeated record. But UTPB is heading to Arkansas looking to tame the Bison stampede and win their third straight road game after winning twice against the RMAC’s best.
#11 Texas-Permian Basin at #2 Harding, 1:00 PM
Records: Texas-Permian Basin 11-2 (7-2 LSC), Harding 13-0 (11-0 GAC)
Series History: First meeting
Team Statistics
Texas-Permian Basin:
Points per game – 38 for; 18 against
Yards per game – 470 for (138 rushing, 332 passing); 298 against (135 rushing, 163 passing)
Turnovers – 14 committed; 19 caused
Sacks – 28 caused; 37 allowed
Time of Possession – 32:08 for; 27:52 against
Third Down Conversions – 47% for; 31% against
Fourth Down Conversions – 69% for; 39% against
Field Goals – 11-19 for (long of 50 yards); 7-10 against
Harding:
Points per game – 46 for; 8 against
Yards per game – 494 for (455 rushing, 39 passing); 240 against (111 rushing, 129 passing)
Turnovers – 11 committed; 22 caused
Sacks – 29 caused; 3 allowed
Time of Possession – 33:08 for; 26:52 against
Third Down Conversions – 57% for; 29% against
Fourth Down Conversions – 83% for; 38% against
Field Goals – 8-13 for (long of 48 yards); 2-4 against
Top Players
Texas-Permian Basin:
QB Kanon Gibson – 287/456 passes for 3324 yards, 30 TD, 8 INT; 167 carries for 496 yards, 11 TD
RB Kory Harris – 145 carries for 626 yards, 9 TD; 18 catches for 214 yards
WR TJ McKenzie – 44 catches for 661 yards, 6 TD
WR Ben Patterson – 29 catches for 641 yards, 5 TD
WR Traylen Suel – 56 catches for 696 yards, 8 TD
LB Tristan Exline – 123 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT
LB McKyle So’oto – 53 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT
DL Jacob Humphrey – 31 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks
DB Jamarion Ravenell – 28 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 3 INT, 8 passes broken up
DB Jayden Plater – 17 tackles, 3 INT, 5 passes broken up
Harding:
QB Cole Keylon – 25/43 passes for 504 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 99 carries for 574 yards, 7 TD
RB Andrew Miller – 213 carries for 1730 yards, 23 TD; 23 receptions for 318 yards, 3 TD
RB Braden Jay – 99 carries for 1247 yards, 19 TD
RB Christian Franklin – 53 carries for 582 yards, 10 TD
RB Josh Strickland Jr. – 79 carries for 567 yards, 5 TD
WR Brady Barnett – 8 catches for 148 yards
LB Clark Griffin – 131 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 passes broken up
LB Jordan Mays - 60 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 pass broken up
DL Kaden Spencer – 33 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 pass broken up
DL Justin Sobczak – 35 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 5 passes broken up
DB Ty Dugger – 59 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT
UTPB heads back on the road to Searcy, Arkansas to meet former (although very brief) LSC member Harding in the most important game in UTPB’s 10-season history. The Falcons have already earned their first two playoff wins in program history on the road the previous two weeks in Colorado and look to continue being road warriors against the top-seeded Bisons, who have dominated MIAA opponents Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State at home.
UTPB will bring dual-threat quarterback Kanon Gibson and a deep passing attack to challenge the Harding defense, which is the nation’s only team to give up fewer than 10 points a game on defense. The Falcons’ passing attack can beat defenses with the deep ball as well as with quick passes. They can also beat defenses with quick strikes or grind-it-out drives. Gibson is a true dual-threat quarterback who can run it, throw it, and extend plays with his legs looking for any member of one of the nation’s deepest receiving corps. Then there’s the defense, which has often been overshadowed by the UTPB offense, but is at its best right now. Tristan Exline is the LSC’s best defensive player, and he can be found just about anywhere on the field. The UTPB defensive front is solid and spends a good deal of time in the offensive backfield.
Harding, well, you know exactly what’s coming, and good luck slowing it down. The Harding Flexbone rushing attack has gashed opposing defenses for 5919 yards (Ferris State is the next closest team with 3983 yards) and can break their record-setting 2023 season total of 6159 yards even with a suboptimal game this week. They are the gold standard for running this offensive system. The Bisons have two 1000-yard rushers, led by Andrew Miller and Braden Jay, with either back capable of breaking any run for a touchdown. They have five backs with over 500 rushing yards, including quarterback Cole Keylon, who has more rushing yards (574) than passing yards (504). They can run their offense at the pace of a no-huddle spread attack, or they can bleed the clock away – it doesn’t matter to them, they are equally dangerous at any pace. But the Bisons aren’t just about their offense, their defense is also among the nation’s best. Giving up 8 points a game, Harding also gives up just 240 yards a game and are among the nation’s leaders in interceptions and turnover margin. Even with all those statistical superlatives, there is one number that stands out to me the most – 1. Harding has trailed in a game ONE TIME the entire season, when Henderson State led 3-0 from the 7:39 mark of the first quarter to when Harding took a 7-3 lead with 3:09 left in the second quarter of their 35-10 win on October 18. That’s it. Harding puts opponents behind big early, and then they punish them on both sides of the ball.
It is clear as day that Harding is an exceptional football team that is experienced and runs their system to near-perfection. So this is where I throw up my hands in equal parts frustration and amazement and give up writing this preview article, so good bye…
OK, not so fast. I’ll admit, Harding is just about as good as it gets, with the possible exception of Ferris State. I’ve already gone on and on (to the exasperation of LSC fans, I’m sure) about how Harding has been near-unstoppable this season. You can also find similar sentiments without searching too hard this week in the various broadcasts and message boards too.
Now here’s the part where I start stumping for UTPB. Kris McCullough is coming to Arkansas with experience against Harding from his years at East Central (he didn’t win, but at least he has experienced what Harding does, so it won’t be a surprise). UTPB has also faced a similar offense in Eastern New Mexico and had success against the Greyhounds, so the basic concepts on defending the Flexbone won’t be completely foreign, but yes, defending ENMU isn’t defending Harding. UTPB brings the most skilled, deep, and diverse offense Harding has faced all season, along with arguably the best quarterback Harding has faced in Gibson. Then there’s the UTPB defense, who has held both CSU-Pueblo and Western Colorado to season lows in points the last two weeks. So why won’t UTPB at least hang in this game for at least a half? Also, there’s the big unknown with Harding. What happens if Harding is tied or behind for more than a few minutes, or behind by more than a field goal? No one can say because it hasn’t happened, and when a team, no matter how great, is exposed to something they haven’t been exposed to, that’s when doubt creeps in, and that’s when a team gets tight. Also, run-based teams aren’t always built for comebacks. Finally, 2017 was the last time Harding faced an LSC team, when they faced the now-East Texas A&M in the national semifinals. Harding lost.
The bottom line in this game is that UTPB absolutely, positively, must find a way to play this game from either even, slightly behind, or ahead most of the way since Harding has already shown that when they’re ahead, their opponents are as good as dead. Get ahead and keep the ball away from the Bisons’ offense. Maybe I’m grasping at straws here, but I think UTPB can make this game competitive. While I am picking the heavily favored Bisons to win, by no means do I think they’re just going to show up and embarrass UTPB. Harding by a touchdown.
Heritage Bowl Preview
Why yes, there’s another LSC game this week. The Heritage Bowl in Corsicana, TX pits West Texas A&M from the LSC against Arkansas Tech from the GAC. It’s one last chance for the nation’s leading passer, WT’s RJ Martinez, to add another 400-yard game to his record, as he finished the season with 4 out of 5 games with over 400 passing yards, including in the season’s final three games. For a full preview, check out this additional column West Texas A&M and Arkansas Tech Ready for Heritage Bowl.