September 3rd, 2025 6:00pm
Opening Week Recap
Week 0 is over, and what do we have?
Now, about last week:
Central Washington wins at home over Colorado Mesa 41-14
An ugly first half which saw Colorado Mesa hold the ball for over 20 minutes despite trailing 7-0 turned into second-half Central Washington domination. Kennedy McGill didn’t lose a step, rushing for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns while making the most of his 13 passes, throwing for 190 yards on just 8 completions with 2 touchdowns and an interception. McGill was particularly effective on the deep ball, making touchdown passes of 51 and 55 yards to Jalen Grable and Mason Juergens.
The CWU defense took away the CMU running game, forcing quarterback Liu Aumavae (192 yards on 18 of 27 passes with 1 touchdown and 1 interception) to throw more than I’m sure the CMU coaches wanted him to throw. Case in point – Aumavae, with his teams down 21-7 in the third quarter and desperately trying to bring the Mavericks back in the game, threw an 18-yard pick-six to CWU linebacker Brett McCalla to put CWU up 27-7 and pretty much putting the wraps on this one. CWU outgained CMU by 516 to 303 yards, with McGill accounting for 325 of the Wildcats’ yards. For Mesa, wide receiver Trek Keyworth led the way with 147 yards on 4 catches and a touchdown.
Central Washington improves to 1-0 and Colorado Mesa falls to 0-1.
#8 Western Colorado wins at home against West Texas A&M 45-28
WT transfer quarterback RJ Martinez, who started his career at Northern Arizona and is now at his fourth school, threw for 218 yards in the first half, giving WT coaches and fans everything they could have hoped for in implementing the new Buffaloes’ passing game. However, Martinez could only manage 44 passing yards against the WCU defense while the WCU ground game battered the WT defense, finishing with 268 rushing yards and turning a 28-28 tie into a 45-28 Mountaineers win. WCU quarterback Drew Nash was at the center of much of the second-half surge, making plays with both his arm and his legs.
WT did show some glimpses, but their defense was worn out in the second half and couldn’t make nearly enough defensive stops in the second half while the WCU defense did. Maybe we’re looking at some growing pains from all the offseason changes, but things do look like they might be more exciting than in recent years in Canyon. Defense still needs some work though.
Western Colorado improves to 1-0 and West Texas A&M falls to 0-1.
#12 Angelo State wins at #20 Fort Hays State 28-7
As the clock was turning toward the end of the first half, Fort Hays State was riding the momentum of their second straight methodical but effective drive after cutting Angelo State’s lead to 14-7 and intercepting a Braeden Fuller deep pass attempt to wide receiver Hunter Wallis. But that last-second drive stalled at the Angelo State 35-yard line and a 52-yard field goal attempt was missed as time ran out on the first half. The Tigers would try and try to get closer, but the Rams’ defense bent but rarely broke. Fort Hays State was kept off the scoreboard the entire second half, and Donny Bishop’s return and receiving skills (he caught a 32-yard touchdown from backup Kaeden Smith on a trick play that looked more like a halfback pass) put the game out of reach. The interception was Fuller lone mistake on the day, finishing with 177 yards on 12 of 19 passes for 3 touchdowns and that interception, capped the day’s scoring with his third touchdown pass, a 30-yard pass to wider receiver Corey Sandolph. Defensive back Marquis Brown led the Rams with 13 tackles.
Also of note – the Rams’ win was number 50 for head coach Jeff Girsch, the quickest to that number in program history.
Angelo State improves to 1-0 and Fort Hays State falls to 0-1.
https://angelosports.com/news/2025/8/28/football-no-13-rams-down-fort-hays-state-28-7-to-open-the-season.aspx
New Mexico Highlands wins at Eastern New Mexico 34-28
7 of 14 passes for 206 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception.
Outgained by 332 to 213 rushing yards.
If you’re an ENMU coach, player, or fan, these are not the numbers you want to see. Despite Chad Ragle having a fairly effective day throwing the ball (he was 6 of 8 passes for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns) and ENMU throwing for 206 yards, that isn’t ENMU’s game. Last time I checked, Kelley Lee didn't adopt the Air Raid. The Greyhounds never really got their running game going the way they expected it would. Four rushers (and Ragle) had between 29 and 49 yards, but none truly stood out. Also, the ENMU defense had zero answers for Highlands freshman running back Jeffery Jones, who scored on touchdown runs of 48, 1, and 61 yards on his way to the game of his life, gaining 223 yards on 19 carries. Highlands turned an early 10-0 deficit into a 14-10 lead early in the third quarter. The Cowboys ultimately scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives and 5 of the last 6 times they had the ball. It was the Highlands ground game, along with some timely passing from Cowboy quarterback Ike Udengwu (4 of 9 passes for 142 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception), that ultimately held off numerous Greyhound comeback attempts.
Highlands gets the jump on the New Mexico Round Robin, and ENMU needs to right that running game and defense before next week’s trip to Colorado Mesa.
New Mexico Highlands improves to 1-0 and Eastern New Mexico falls to 0-1.
Missouri Southern wins at home over Midwestern State 33-19
For both this year’s and last year’s games, just look at who scored first and I can tell you who lost. Last year, Missouri Southern got out first with a field goal and lost. This year, MSU got out to a 7-0 lead and lost. This year’s game came down to big plays late by the Missouri Southern rushing game (especially a 62-yard touchdown run by Victor Chionuma with 12 minutes remaining). The Lion defense also did just enough to stall MSU drives despite Mustang quarterback Jakolby Longino having quite the day (31 of 38 passes for 359 yards and a touchdown).
After scoring touchdowns on their first two drives, the Mustangs just couldn’t finish drives, and they had plenty of opportunities. On their six subsequent possessions, MSU made two field goals, lost two fumbles, and turned the ball over on downs twice. All those possessions ended in Missouri Southern territory, including their last two empty drives which ended at the Missouri Southern 4 and 18-yard lines. For the Mustangs, Demonte Greene was as advertised, catching 6 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Nathan Glades led Missouri Southern with 93 rushing yards on 15 carries with 2 touchdowns.
Missouri Southern improves to 1-0 and Midwestern State falls to 0-1.
Texas-Permian Basin wins at home over #3 Central Oklahoma 34-14
In Kris McCullough’s time at UTPB, the Falcons have put up some really impressive offensive numbers, like the 2023 season where they averaged 46 points a game (before the playoffs). But lost in those gaudy offensive numbers are a stingy defense (17 and 19 points per game the last two seasons) and many games where they thoroughly dominate the time of possession, wearing out opposing defenses and putting the opposing offenses in a state of constant desperation.
UCO might have taken their first lead after taking the second-half kickoff and driving 73 yards in just over a minute, but the Falcons were just getting started while the Bronchos would ultimately lament missed opportunities to keep the game closer. UTPB would score the game’s last 21 points, driven by leading passer (189 yards and 2 touchdowns) and rusher (78 yards) Kanon Gibson. A huge 62-yard touchdown pass from Gibson to Traylen Suel (7 catches for 95 yards) put UTPB up by two touchdowns. Not to be outdone, the UTPB defense kept Jett Huff (14 of 34 passes for 169 yards and 2 interceptions) and the powerful UCO offense from getting much of anything going when they did have the ball (UTPB had the ball for 37:15 of the game).
Biggest win in UTPB program history? Sure looks like it.
Texas-Permian Basin improves to 1-0 and Central Oklahoma falls to 0-1.
Western New Mexico wins at home over Adams State 35-21
If you missed this one, you missed a good one. Sure, neither team was picked to do much in their respective conference preseason polls, but there was plenty of excitement after the opening kickoff was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning. Adams State got out to a 14-0 second-quarter lead after Eljiah Harris (3 carries for 52 yards) scored on a 40-yard touchdown run. That was the wake-up call WNMU needed, as Connor Ackerley (12 of 18 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns) hit the home run ball to Deuce Zimmerman for 74 yards to set up a Gabriel Levy 1-yard touchdown run to get the Mustangs on the scoreboard. WNMU would drive back into Adams State territory on their next drive, but were stopped on downs, but that didn’t discourage them as WNMU recovered a Harris fumble at the ASU 46-yard line with 22 seconds left in the first half and Ackerley found Anthony Flores for a 21-yard touchdown pass to bring WNMU within 14-13 at the half.
Like the first half, Adams State got out quick in the second half, going up 21-13 on a Gevonni Ribalta (4 catches for 51 yards) 27-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Smith (11 of 19 passes for 112 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions). But that’s all the Grizzlies would get the rest of the way, with the Mustangs taking full advantage of two more lost fumbles and scoring the game’s last 21 points to come out on top. Adams State might have had a better result if they held on to the ball better (or at all, really) – WNMU won the turnover battle 6-0 (with 4 lost fumbles) and scored 21 points off turnovers.
Western New Mexico improves to 1-0 and Adams State falls to 0-1.
Texas-Rio Grande Valley wins at home over Sul Ross State 66-0
Not sure I can conjure up much positive to say about this one. At least nobody got hurt for Sul Ross State (I think) and I hope the check was good (if there was one, I expect there was but I don’t spend much time looking to find out those things). But this is football, and we sometimes have the face the ugly stuff head-on – UTRGV outgained Sul Ross by 674 to 74 yards, and the Lobos had nearly as many penalty yards (70) as offensive yards. The Vaqueros scored every time they had the ball except for a missed field goal in the fourth quarter, scoring 9 touchdowns and one field goal. UTRGV quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger completed 18 of 19 passes for 365 yards and 5 touchdowns in the first half (!) and the Vaqueros lead 49-0 at halftime. UTRGV took the foot off the gas in the second half with their second-teamers and got to spend most of the day celebrating their football program’s first-ever win. For Sul Ross, defensive back Brendon Martin led with 11 tackles, quarterback Andrew Martinez completed 9 of 12 passes for 41 yards under consistent pressure, and Jose Trevino gained 28 rushing yards.
There will be better days for the Lobos. Maybe not in two weeks when they play another FCS team, but there will be better days.
Texas-Rio Grande Valley improves to 1-0 and Sul Ross State falls to 0-1.
LSC Opening Week Standings
School | LSC | Overall | |
|---|---|---|---|
Angelo State | 0-0 | 1-0 | |
Central Washington | 0-0 | 1-0 | |
Texas-Permian Basin | 0-0 | 1-0 | |
Western New Mexico | 0-0 | 1-0 | |
Texas A&M-Kingsville | 0-0 | 0-0 | |
Western Oregon | 0-0 | 0-0 | |
Eastern New Mexico | 0-0 | 0-1 | |
Midwestern State | 0-0 | 0-1 | |
Sul Ross State | 0-0 | 0-1 | |
West Texas A&M | 0-0 | 0-1 | |
New Mexico Round Robin Standings
School | Record |
|---|---|
New Mexico Highlands | 1-0 |
Western New Mexico | 0-0 |
Eastern New Mexico | 0-1 |
Week 1 Preview
Going into Week 0, Angelo State was the lone team ranked in the D2Football.com Top 25. After Week 0, The Rams, who moved from #12 to #10, now have some friends in the poll with them. Texas-Permian Basin enters the poll at #16 and Central Washington also enters the poll at #23.
The LSC has another early start to Week 1, with West Texas A&M hosting Colorado Mines on Thursday in a rematch of lthe Buffaloes' not-so-happy trip to Golden last season. What else is going on in the LSC this week?
(And one fun fact for this week, there are two games against teams called the Grizzlies.)
The following game is on Thursday, September 4. All game times are in the Central time zone.
Colorado Mines (RMAC, 0-0) at West Texas A&M, 7:00 PM
Series History: Colorado Mines leads 2-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Colorado Mines won 41-13)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 5.
WT comes back from 7723 feet above sea level to the more comfortable 3543-foot elevation of Canyon to host another RMAC opponent in Colorado Mines. The Orediggers are coming off a disappointing 8-3 season which not only wasn’t enough to get them in the playoffs, but it also saw them lose head coach Pete Sterbick to Montana State, where he now runs the Bobcats’ offense. Enter Mines legend Bob Stitt, who brought the Oredigger program to national prominence with 3 playoff appearances over 15 seasons before leaving to take the head job at Montana. He hasn’t been a head coach since the 2017 season, his last at Montana. Mines is retaining both coordinators and many members of last year’s coaching staff from last season.
The Orediggers will start Joseph Capra (601 yards passing with 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in 2024) at quarterback. Some names from the recent deep playoff runs are still around, including running back Landon Walker and wide receiver Flynn Schiele, along with four starters on the offensive line. Cornerback Jackson Zimmermann is the top Oredigger returning on defense, anchoring a secondary with Yale transfer Joseph Gonzales and Hillsdale transfer Matt Soderdahl.
As much as WT fans might not be happy to hear this, these games are probably more about how the team comes together to compete in the coming weeks and into next season than this week’s result (and I say this knowing full well that the transfer portal makes much of this statement useless in many cases). Mines may be down from their peak of dominance, but they are still the better team at this time. Colorado Mines by 14 points.
https://minesathletics.com/news/2025/9/2/football-preview-mines-opens-2025-at-west-texas-am.aspx
The following games are on Saturday, September 6.
Western New Mexico at New Mexico Highlands (RMAC, 1-0), 2:00 PM
Series History: Western New Mexico leads 36-35-5
Last meeting: 2024 (Western New Mexico won 36-33)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 6.
We head to Las Vegas…New Mexico for the latest edition of La Batalla Bowl and the next game of the New Mexico Round Robin, where we have a Highlands squad looking to claim victory in the battle for state supremacy with a home win over WNMU. Highlands brings back their retooled offense, with Grand Valley State transfer Ike Udengwu at quarterback and freshman running back Jeffery Jones, who had quite the debut against ENMU last week. For the Mustangs, Connor Ackerley needs to find Deuce Zimmerman early and often like last week to open things up for the rest of the offense since I can’t imagine they will get 6 turnovers again.
I think this is another fun one down New Mexico way, but I’m going with the RMAC’s New Mexico entry in a close one. New Mexico Highlands by 6 points.
Southern Oregon (#19 NAIA – Frontier Conference, 1-0) at Western Oregon, 3:05 PM
Series History: Western Oregon leads 46-25
Last meeting: 2010 (Western Oregon won 24-23)
LSC versus NAIA – Round 1.
Quick quiz to anyone outside of the PNW – Who has Western Oregon played the most? Has to be Central Washington, right? Close, but not correct. It’s actually Southern Oregon, even though they haven’t played in quite a while. The Wolves start their season with an odd set of non-conference opponents – this week against SOU and next week at FCS Cal Poly. WOU looks to the islands for leadership this season – linebacker Malcolm Liufau and likely starter at quarterback Kainoa Jones both hail from Hawai’i. Also, defensive back Andrew Simpson is one of the nation’s returning interception leaders, picking off 6 passes in 2024.
The Raiders are currently ranked #22 in the NAIA national rankings and are 1-0 coming off an 8-3 season. They were picked to finish second in the West Division of the Frontier Conference. Their offense is lead by Oregon State transfer Dom Montiel, who threw for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns in their 59-0 opening game win against Simpson (Ca.). Valparaiso transfer Brandon Barthel led the Raiders with 182 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Trevor Jaasko and Donovan Glover also had significant contributions at wide receiver. Linebackers Raiden House and Will Kanavalov Jr. both had 8 tackles for SOU.
Southern Oregon, like the Montana Tech team (also from the Frontier Conference) that Central Washington faced (and lost to) back in 2023, looks like a decent football team, and if the Wolves aren’t careful, we could be looking at another NAIA-over-NCAA upset here. I’m taking Western Oregon, but they better not be sleeping on this game. Western Oregon by 7 points.
Emporia State (MIAA, 1-0) at #10 Angelo State, 6:00 PM
Series History: Emporia State leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Emporia State won 17-12)
LSC versus MIAA – Round 4.
Well, the MIAA finally allowed Angelo State to host one of their teams (OK, while I don’t know why Fort Hays State got two home games, I’ll just squash any conspiracies there). The Rams are looking to gain revenge over both their MIAA opponents from 2024 by defeating an Emporia State team that scored the first 27 points of the game and pretty much ran off and hid in a 27-7 win over Minot State. ESU was picked to finish fifth in the MIAA preseason poll. Their offense is led by North Alabama transfer Ben Harris, who completed 37 of 52 passes for 292 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. Wide receiver Malik O’Atis caught 12 of Harris’ passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Kingsley Bennett also caught 5 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown and Darby Roper caught 7 passes for 43 yards. Diego Cearns ran for 71 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Three Hornets (linebacker Landon Bass and defensive linemen Carlos Strong Jr. and Kaden Fields) led with 9 tackles each.
Last year, Fort Hays State and Emporia State took advantage of home field along with an Angelo State team that needed some time to figure things out offensively to beat the Rams. Emporia State wants to go fast on offense, and they look like they’re going to ride the arm of Harris, win or lose. Angelo State’s secondary will be tested this week, but last week they only allowed Fort Hays State and quarterback Caleb Heavner to reach the end zone once. The Rams will also need to pressure and get hits on Harris (they had 7 tackles for loss last week) while keeping an eye on his receivers. This will be a close one, but I think that like last week Angelo State’s offensive skill, which was not present at this time last season, will be the difference, and the Rams gain another week of revenge. Angelo State by 4 points.
Eastern New Mexico at Colorado Mesa (RMAC, 0-1), 7:00 PM
Series History: Colorado Mesa leads 2-1
Last meeting: 2019 (Eastern New Mexico won 44-37)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 7.
Eastern New Mexico heads up to Grand Junction with both teams coming off losses, and the Greyhounds needing to get back to the basics after being outgained on the ground by 104 yards by New Mexico Highlands. While it does seem that Highlands made some very real improvements over last year’s squad, for the Greyhounds the loss last week seemed to be more about ENMU’s issues replacing what was lost from last season than Highlands’ improvements.
If ENMU continues to have issues running the ball and stopping the run, it could be another ugly game. Mesa does have significant experience at running back and if Liu Aumavae can follow up on his decent (but far from perfect) effort last week against CWU, the Mavericks should take this at home. Colorado Mesa by 14 points.
#16 Texas-Permian Basin at Adams State (RMAC, 0-1), 7:00 PM
Series History: Texas-Permian Basin leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Texas-Permian Basin won 67-14)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 8.
Texas-Permian Basin is coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, while Adams State is coming off a loss at WNMU where they gave the ball (and the game) away to the Mustangs with 6 turnovers. With a bye week and a game in Kingsville coming up in a couple weeks, this has all the makings of a “trap” game if the Falcons are caught looking past the Grizzlies.
This is one of two games where I’m having a hard time thinking of a way that the underdog can stay competitive for even a half (take a wild guess who the other is). Maybe Adams State cleans up some of the issues with turnovers from last week (it really can’t get worse, right?), but I still don’t think it will be enough to fly with the Falcons. UTPB looks better than last year, and Adams State looks worse, and last year’s game was 67-14. Look for the Falcons to put this one in the rear-view mirror early. Texas-Permian Basin by at least 24 points.
#7 Western Colorado (RMAC, 1-0) at Midwestern State, 7:00 PM
Series History: Western Colorado leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2024 (Western Colorado won 38-33)
LSC versus RMAC – Round 9.
Midwestern State comes back after a loss to Missouri Southern where they had missed opportunity after missed opportunity. Western Colorado makes the trip to Texas after their defense showed some issues defending the new WTAMU passing attack. The Mountaineers face a team that nearly threw for 400 yards last week in a loss and also nearly threw for 400 yards against their own defense when they faced each other in Gunnison last season. WCU was able to make the necessary adjustments to hold off the WT passing attack last week, can they do it again this week?
Drew Nash is one of the true difference-makers at quarterback in Division 2, and he will make sure the Mountaineers get their share of points. However, I do think MSU keeps it close for three quarters since it seems that the WCU defense does have some difficulty defending the passing game, but ultimately the WCU defense makes enough stops in the fourth quarter to keep the Mustangs from springing the upset. Western Colorado by 10 points.
Lincoln University, California (Unaffiliated, 0-1) at Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7:00 PM
Series History: Texas A&M-Kingsville leads 1-0
Last meeting: 2021 (Texas A&M-Kingsville won 51-21)
LSC versus a football team (I guess) – Round 1.
Well, if it isn’t our old friends from Oakland, California, the Lincoln Oaklanders. Since I can’t find their roster anywhere, I’m going with a bare-bones profile and then I’m picking Kingsville. Lincoln, in its fifth season, has lost 25 straight games and hasn’t won a game since a 20-17 win over Bluefield State (a Division 2 school, by the way) in 2022. Their all-time, all-road record is a woeful 3-42. However, one of those wins is over a Division 3 school called Hilbert, who in their fourth season has also lost 25 straight games, which happens to be all the games the Hilbert teams has played in their program’s history (ouch). Also, the team that Lincoln (Ca.) lost to last week, Lincoln (Mo.), is (if you didn’t know) a Division 2 team in the GLVC. Lincoln (Mo.) has had a near-equal run of misery, but despite having a 2-0 record against Lincoln (Ca.), they have zero wins against NCAA teams since the 2019 season.
And that concludes the “going way too far down the rabbit hole” portion of this week’s column. Texas A&M-Kingsville starts the 2025 season at home with a (hopefully) soft start to head coach Scott Parr’s tenure.
Since I’ve already written way, way too much than I wanted to about this game, time to cut to the chase. I hope no one gets hurt since Kingsville is an established football program, and I fear the Lincoln players are still putting their collective health on the line by taking the field (I really hate saying stuff like this too, by the way). Texas A&M-Kingsville could probably spend the whole game looking ahead to next week’s trip to Northwest Missouri State and still be fine. Texas A&M-Kingsville by at least 35 points.
#23 Central Washington at Division 1 FCS #10 Montana (Big Sky, 0-0), 7:00 PM
Series History: Montana leads 3-0
Last meeting: 2020 (Montana won 59-3)
LSC versus FCS – Round 2.
Well, I figured, “what the hell”.
- Doc Brown, “Back to the Future”
You don’t need me to tell you that going to Montana is a much different animal compared to hosting an RMAC team. CWU did nearly pull off the greatest upset in program history in a 38-35 loss to Montana, but that luck didn’t carry over to their following two meetings, which Montana won by a combined 107-17 score.
The Grizzlies, who are ranked #10 in the FCS, were picked third in the Big Sky Conference preseason poll. Keali’I Ah Yat is the top returning quarterback and won the starting job over USC transfer Jake Jensen. Ah Yat will be handing off to Eli Gilman and Malae Fonoti and looking for receivers Brooks Davis, Michael Wortham, and Blake Bohanon. On defense, the Grizzlies’ linebackers look to be their strength, with a mix of returners and transfers led by returner Caleb Otlewski and Portland State transfer Peyton Wing.
Not sure how this game functions as a measuring stick for either team, unless of course CWU is somehow within striking distance of an upset in the fourth quarter (like the 2008 game…go ask CWU fans about that one). Not sure I see that happening, though. The Big Sky is one of the two strongest conferences at the FCS level (along with the Missouri Valley) and Montana is typically near the top of the Big Sky every season. CWU also had a game in 2023 where they hung with Montana’s conference mates Weber State for a half before general difficulty moving the ball and a Weber State 21-point third quarter doomed the Wildcats. I’m going to say something like that happens again. Montana by 20 points.
https://www.montanasports.com/college/montana-grizzlies/kealii-ah-yat-named-starting-qb-as-montana-releases-1st-depth-chart-of-the-season
Sul Ross State has the week off.