LSC Week 6 Preview

October 9th, 2025 4:00am

Week 5 Recap

In the top-10 showdown between UTPB and Angelo State, it was the Falcons using their defense and dominating the time of possession in the fourth quarter to keep ASU from rallying from a two-touchdown deficit in Braeden Fuller’s return.  We also had two games where the losing team outgained the winning team by a significant margin, but in those games, having too many mistakes doomed both WNMU and TAMUK.  And then there were the two absolute blowouts with WT and CWU winning, but at least Sul Ross State FINALLY scored their first touchdown of the 2025 season. 

Now, about last week:

Western Oregon wins at home over Western New Mexico 41-20

So WNMU outgained WOU by 383 to 288 yards, had 27 first downs to WOU’s 17, held WOU to 70 passing yards with an interception, and held the ball for 31:46 of the game. 

Now let’s talk about how WNMU still managed to lose. 

Connor Ackerley completed 40 of 55 passes for 395 yards and 3 touchdowns, but he was picked off 4 times, with 1 of them going for a 59-yards Malik Ross touchdown to put WOU up 27-13 midway through the second quarter on WOU’s way to a 41-13 lead.  Also, WNMU fumbled the ball away twice, with WOU scoring touchdowns after each fumble.  The ongoing issues WNMU has running the ball were still evident as the Mustangs finished with minus-12 rushing yards on 22 attempts.  It all came down to far too many WNMU mistakes for the much-maligned WNMU defense to handle, and for that defense, it was the inability to hold back the WOU running game, which gained 218 yards and scored 5 touchdowns. 

Western Oregon improves to 3-2 and Western New Mexico falls to 1-5. 

Midwestern State wins at home over Texas A&M-Kingsville 31-24

Like WNMU, TAMUK also outgained their opponent by a significant margin.  The Javelinas outgained MSU by 436 (240 passing) to 293 yards.  However, also like WNMU, there were far too many TAMUK mistakes, particularly four first-half turnovers that led to all 13 MSU first-half points and kept the Mustangs in the game, trailing TAMUK 14-13.  The Javelinas cleaned up the turnover issues and managed to extend their lead to 21-13 late in the third quarter on a 23-yard fumble return by Doug Brooks.  But once the fourth quarter started, the Mustangs flipped the switch and dialed up a comeback I certainly didn’t see happening. 

In that fourth quarter, the teams first traded field goals to make the score 24-16.  Then Sean Jastrab, he of the near-400 yard passing game last season before nearly falling completely off the map, completed a 15-yard touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion pass (both to Malakai Matthews) with just under 4 minutes to tie it at 24.  The rejuvenated MSU defense forced a 3-and-out and Cedonyae Lott took Jared Campbell’s punt 69 yards the other way to put the Mustangs on top 31-24.  But it wasn’t until TAMUK took the ball from their own 35-yard line to the MSU 5 did Ethan Dishman finally stop the Javelinas for good by knocking away a Jack Turner pass intended for Kevin Holmes, Jr. with 30 seconds left.  TAMUK didn’t have enough time outs to prevent the MSU victory formation, and the Mustangs got that much-needed first win of the season.

Midwestern State improves to 1-4 and Texas A&M-Kingsville falls to 2-3. 

#7 Texas-Permian Basin wins at #6 Angelo State 28-14

A hallmark of Angelo State’s success in recent years is how their defense can keep opposing defenses from putting together strong drives.  After ASU held UTPB to a 3-and-out on their first drive, maybe that could be the case again.  But UTPB had other ideas, scoring on their next three drives, going 67, 65, and 75 yards and ending all three drives on Kanon Gibson touchdown runs.  Gibson’s first-half efficiency overshadowed a statistically solid first half by the retuning Braeden Fuller.  However, ASU turned the ball over on downs twice in UTPB territory and UTPB took full advantage by scoring touchdowns after those turnovers.  Even when the ASU defense made its presence known in the third quarter, ASU only managed one drive of consequence in that quarter, a 49-yard drive capped by a 32-yard touchdown pass from Fuller to Anthony Jones to bring the Rams to within 21-14.   It ended up being the only ASU drive that went more than 17 yards in the second half. 

The fourth quarter was a textbook application of UTPB football – holding the ball for 10:58 of the quarter and keeping the Rams from making that one final push to tie the game.  UTPB nearly ran the clock completely out on their final drive when Gibson completed a 9-yard touchdown pass on fourth and goal with 18 seconds left to make the score 28-14.  UTPB ended the game 10-18 on third down and 4-4 on fourth down, so ASU simply couldn’t get their defense off the field, particularly on those last two Falcon drives.  ASU also struggled running the ball, gaining just 69 yards on 2 carries, with Fuller’s mobility issues and the UTPB defense both contributing factors. 

Texas-Permian Basin improves to 5-0 and Angelo State falls to 4-1. 

West Texas A&M wins at home over Sul Ross State 56-7

Another week, another rough game for Sul Ross.  WT led 49-0 at halftime, outgaining the Lobos by 452 to 90 yards.  RJ Martinez completed 19 of 22 passes for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns and didn’t play the second half.  Sean “Slash” Johnson threw, ran, and even caught the ball in the first half as the Buffaloes scored touchdowns all seven times they had the ball and held a 49-0 halftime lead.  It wasn’t all bad for Sul Ross - Jose Trevino (19 carries for 93 yards) finally scored the Lobos’ first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard touchdown run, even if it was against WT defenders who typically don’t play all that much.  This was a game where WT just showed up and took care of business, gaining 621 yards to Sul Ross’ 210 and not giving the Lobos any opportunity to spring the upset.     

West Texas A&M improves to 3-3 and Sul Ross State falls to 0-5. 

#17 Central Washington wins at home over Eastern New Mexico 58-7

In what could have possibly been a trap game with a visit to UTPB awaiting CWU, the Wildcats made short work of another New Mexico team.  The first-half numbers were exceptionally ugly.  ENMU ran the ball 29 times for 41 yards and caught two passes for minus-1 yard.  CWU-they ran the ball 17 times for 155 yards and four touchdowns and caught just 6 passes, but those went for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Mix in a pick-six and a field goal and you had a 52-0 halftime lead for the Wildcats, who at the end of this game outscored the two New Mexico LSC schools by a combined score of 149-38.  CWU scored touchdowns the first 5 times they had the ball and scored touchdowns on 6 of their 8 first-half drives.  CWU worked in the backups and took the foot off the gas in the second half.  ENMU finally scored with 31 seconds left in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jarius Stewart to wrap up the night’s scoring.  Kennedy McGill led all passers with 132 yards and 2 touchdowns and also led all rushers with 67 yards on 6 carries and 2 more touchdowns.  Jalen Grable led all receivers with one catch – but that catch was for 55 yards and CWU’s first touchdown of the game.

Central Washington improves to 4-1 and Eastern New Mexico falls to 1-4. 

LSC Standings

Week 6 Preview

We have what could be the LSC Championship game when Central Washington visits UTPB, although Angelo State will still have something to say about that later in the season.  Also, ENMU tries to win one for the state of New Mexico over a Pacific Northwest team when they host Western Oregon.  Angelo State heads to Kingsville to try to get back into the win column, and Midwestern State tries to put a winning streak together at Sul Ross State. 

All games are on Saturday, October 11.  All game times are in the Central time zone.

Western Oregon at Eastern New Mexico, 4:00 PM

Series History: Eastern New Mexico leads 3-2

Last meeting: 2024 (Western Oregon won 49-20)

The LSC’s New Mexico schools finish up their slate with the LSC’s Pacific Northwest schools with this game, and it definitely can’t come soon enough.  In those previous 3 games (all losses), the average margin of loss was 63-19.  Western Oregon, despite winning going away, was far more successful running than throwing the ball.  Jordan McCarty has thrown for a combined 90 yards the last two weeks, so Jermaine Land or someone else needs to gain some yards on the ground to make things easier for the passing game. 

ENMU never got much of anything going as they ultimately ended up as CWU’s latest first-half knockout.  The Greyhound offense has struggled to own the trenches, as they have had difficulty establishing a consistent running game outside of their win against MSU.  The WOU defense won’t be an easy one to run against either, as they give up just 85 yards a game on the ground.  WOU’s problem is their pass defense, where they give up nearly 300 yards a game despite having 12 interceptions on the year.  Does ENMU dare rely on Chad Ragle’s arm more than they might be comfortable doing?   

This game could be a possible “trap game” for WOU with a home game against UTPB next week.  If the Wolves can’t take advantage of ENMU’s defensive issues, this one could be a nail-biter, and I think this one will go that way.  ENMU keeps it close, but WOU’s defense will keep ENMU out of the end zone enough to be the difference in this one.  Western Oregon by 7 points. 

#15 Central Washington at #4 Texas-Permian Basin (Game at Odessa, TX), 6:00 PM

Series History: Texas-Permian Basin leads 2-1

Last meeting: 2024 (Texas-Permian Basin won 14-13)

"Saturday Night Lights" at the home of "Friday Night Lights".

I won’t say that this is definitively the LSC Championship Game since Angelo State will still have a lot to say about the LSC race with a trip to Central Washington on November 1, but it very well could be.  Back in 2023, this was the final game of the regular season for both teams, and it was for the LSC title.  The Falcons came away with a dominant 42-14 win in Midland.  To show you how that impacted the playoffs, UTPB promptly lost an ugly one to Bemidji State the following week and CWU reached the Super Region 4 Final.  This will be UTPB’s only game at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa this season.  Kennedy McGill looks to break his 2-game losing streak to UTPB while UTPB wants to put the rest of the LSC in the rear-view mirror. 

With both teams looking to impose their physical will on the other, the main battle in this game will most likely be in the trenches.  I think whoever has the more fatigued  defense in the fourth quarter will be the losers in this one.  As impressive as CWU has been in their wins, averaging 61 points a game, this is far and away their toughest challenge at the Division 2 level this season.  UTPB, on the other hand, has had wins over higher-quality opposition and are overall the deeper team, especially the many weapons they have on offense, led by their own dual-threat quarterback, Kanon Gibson.  I think UTPB celebrates Kris McCullough’s 30^th birthday with a hard-fought win that goes to the very end.  Texas-Permian Basin by 7 points. 

Midwestern State at Sul Ross State, 7:00 PM

Series History: Midwestern State leads 7-6 

Last meeting: 2024 (Midwestern State won 40-21)

Midwestern State heads on the road after their first win of the season to face a Sul Ross team that had its own victory last week when they scored their first touchdown of the season.  MSU finally got into the win column with a huge fourth-quarter comeback to beat TAMUK where they won despite being outgained by TAMUK 436 to 293 yards.  The Mustang defense and special teams gave them opportunities to score and they took advantage of nearly all of them.  

On the other side, Sul Ross State is still looking for their first win.  Well, honestly they are looking for their first competitive game.  Despite scoring their first touchdown of the year last week, they have been outscored by a total of 303 points to 13.  But you take what you can get, I guess.  The Lobos’ main goal should be to just take things one play at a time and string together positive plays on both sides of the ball.  Do that and maybe, possibly, hopefully (?) MSU has a hangover from last week’s big comeback win and you could have the Lobos in it for some of the game.   Unfortunately, I don’t think enough things will happen to keep the Lobos in the game the whole way.  Midwestern State by 20 points. 

#10 Angelo State at Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7:00 PM

Series History: Texas A&M-Kingsville leads 33-24

Last meeting: 2024 (Angelo State won 38-0)

Angelo State and Kingsville are coming off difficult losses, and Angelo State in particular needs to get back to winning to stay in the playoff conversation. ASU’s defense couldn’t get off the field nearly enough in the fourth quarter in losing to UTPB.  Kingsville committed four first-half turnovers that kept MSU in the game in the, and then the Javelinas had a late fourth-quarter collapse that turned an 8-point lead with less than 4 minutes left into a 7-point loss.   

If Angelo State was facing CWU next week, I would call this a classic trap game, but since that game isn’t until November 1, I’ll just call this a “trap-ish” game since there’s always the possibility that ASU has some hangover from their first loss of the season.  Kingsville has enough talent on offense to stay in the game, and they may even have the better quarterback on the field if Braeden Fuller is still not quite himself, as seemed to be the case last week.  I think this one (like the CWU/UTPB game) comes down to whose defense is fresher at the end.  This is particularly true for Kingsville’s defense since they have had chances to win or comeback in all three of their losses and all those games got away from them in the fourth quarter.  I see Angelo State as being built more like the teams Kingsville has lost to this season and not the teams they have beaten this season, so I’m giving the Rams the edge.  Angelo State by 10 points.   

West Texas A&M and Western New Mexico have the week off.