LSC Week Nine Preview

October 30th, 2025 4:00am

Week 8 Recap

Central Washington and Angelo State took care of business and set things up for their huge matchup in Ellensburg next week.  Eastern New Mexico won the Chile Bowl for the second straight year with an all-time dominant rushing performance.  UTPB held the ball for over 46 minutes and pretty much squeezed the life out of WT.  And Western Oregon went down to Kingsville and won their first game of a brutal end-of-season schedule.  

Now, about last week:

Eastern New Mexico wins at home over Western New Mexico 59-35

Well into the third quarter, this game was lining up to be the most exciting of the week with ENMU leading 38-35 after WNMU’s Connor Ackerley hitting the home run ball to Davey Morales for 57 yards for Morales’ second touchdown catch of the game and Ackerley’s fourth touchdown pass of the game (and fifth touchdown overall).  But the ENMU running game, which was already having its best game of the season, completely took over the last 16 minutes of the game.  The Greyhounds scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives in those last 16 minutes (and on 5 of 7 second-half drives), doing is pretty much all on the ground.  In all, ENMU ran for a ridiculous 722 yards, which is an LSC record and the highest-ever rushing total by a team in Division 2 history, breaking the 712 yards gained by now-Division 3 Coe College in 1971.  Not even Harding, the nation’s best rushing team, has had a game like that (I’m sure Harding fans would say “not yet”).  Jarius Stewart ran for 382 yards (another LSC record) on 32 carries and 5 touchdowns, and he was joined by Demarion Finch with 127 yards of his own and a touchdown.  Ackerley had a solid game once again, completing 22 of 32 passes for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the WNMU defense had zero answers for the ENMU running game when it mattered, or really at all, and that is what put the Greyhounds on top in the Chile Bowl for the second straight year.   

Eastern New Mexico improves to 2-6 and Western New Mexico falls to 2-6.

https://www.ncaa.com/game/6460529

https://lonestarconference.org/news/2025/10/27/lsc-football-release-week-8.aspx

#18 Texas-Permian Basin wins at home over West Texas A&M 22-6

You can’t win if you don’t have the ball.  Sometimes it’s as simple as that.  UTPB didn’t wow anyone with the score (they had 2 touchdowns, a safety, and a couple long field goals), but what they did to essentially play keep away the whole time was nothing short of dominant.  Take a look at these numbers:

30 first downs to WT’s 6
91 total plays to WT’s 41
125 rushing yards to WT’s 18
293 passing yards to WT’s 169
13-20 on third down to WT’s 4-11
46:14 time of possession to WT’s 13:46

Even a team that wants to go fast like WT is going to be under unbelievable pressure when they feel like they need to score every time for the few times they have the ball because their defense can’t get off the field while UTPB bleeds the clock dry just about every time the Falcons have the ball.  RJ Martinez flat out didn’t have it for WT, completing 11 of 32 passes for 169 yards and the Buffaloes’ only touchdown, a 5-yard pass to Sean Johnson that made the score 17-6 late in the first half.  For UTPB, Kanon Gibson completed 29 of 45 passes for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns and Kory Harris led all rushers with 70 yards on 17 carries.   

Texas-Permian Basin improves to 6-2 and West Texas A&M falls to 4-4.

Western Oregon wins at Texas A&M-Kingsville 34-27

In a back-and-forth first half, TAMUK held a 20-19 lead on a last-second 2-yard touchdown pass from Jack Turner to Kevin Holmes Jr.  The Javelinas tried for a 2-point conversion but failed on the play.  Western Oregon either got points or was in position to score each of the 5 times they had the ball, but kicker Kyle Babcock was far too conspicuous with 4 missed kicks, missing 2 field goals and 2 extra points. 

In the second half, WOU dominated the third quarter, scoring 15 points to zero for Kingsville.  Jordan McCarty completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Keyvaun Eady, followed with a 2-point pass to Eady, to make up for the missed extra points to go up 27-20.  The Wolves then took advantage of the short field from a Malik Ross interception on Kingsville’s next drive and went up 34-20 on a 2-yard touchdown run by Carson Workman (and Babcock made the extra point!)  The Wolves then held on after Kingsville drew within 34-27 after the Javelinas’ Khalen Leonard intercepted a McCarty pass at the TAMUK 41-yard line.  Kingsville forced a 3-and-out and then drove from the TAMUK 40-yard line to the WOU 33-yard line when their last best chance of tying the game ended on down with an incomplete pass with 2:34 left.  The Javelinas did get the ball back with 1:02 left at their 29-yard line but ran a draw play (when Kingsville ran for just 54 yards in the game) on first down for 1 yard and then committed a dead-ball personal foul penalty after a Turner incomplete pass.  Turner couldn’t engineer a miracle, TAMUK turned the ball over on downs, and the Wolves head home with the win. 

McCarty had another solid game for WOU, throwing for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception while also running for 92 yards.  Turner threw for 297 yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception.  Christian Kretz led all receivers with 103 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

Western Oregon improves to 6-2 and Texas A&M-Kingsville falls to 3-5. 

#7 Central Washington wins at home against Midwestern State 42-21

In the latest edition of “Lone Star After Dark”, we have yet another game with significant lightning delays.  There were two delays, one in both halves, ultimately pushing the end of this one well past the author’s bedtime.  However, before going to bed, the Wildcats gave me a nice gift and scored 35 points in the second quarter after a 7-7 first quarter.  It did take a bit for CWU to get going, but once they did, it was an avalanche.  The Wildcats scored touchdowns on three drives and also got a 90-yard pick-six from Brett McCalla, and capped the half with a Samaje Featherstone 85-yard kickoff return.  In the end, this was a textbook CWU win – run the ball for 390 yards, hold the ball for 35 minutes, Kennedy McGill doing a little of everything, and mix in a solid defense and few mistakes.  Even with MSU moving the ball for 367 yards for the game with some decent drives in the first half, that second quarter did the Mustangs in big time.   

Central Washington improves to 7-1 and Midwestern State falls to 2-6.

#20 Angelo State wins at Sul Ross State 62-0

There really isn’t a whole lot to say here – Angelo State was up 35-0 at halftime and thoroughly dominated the undermanned Lobos.  Sul Ross State only entered Angelo State territory three times, and on those possessions, they turned the ball over on downs twice and had the clock run out the other time.  Angelo State scored on 9 of their 12 drives, all touchdowns.  The Rams scored on seven straight drives from the second into the fourth quarter.  Angelo State outgained Sul Ross 617 to 205 yards, with 375 rushing yards.  Third-string quarterback Ayden Arp got significant action and actually led all passers with 127 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Jayden Jones led all rushers with 113 yards and three touchdowns.  Angelo State went in, took care of business, and next stop Washington. 

Angelo State improves to 6-2 and Sul Ross State falls to 0-8.

Playoff Watch

It’s time for the first week of playoff “rankings” with the alphabetical list of the top 10 teams in Super Region 4.  And those 10 teams are:

Central Washington
Chadron State
CSU-Pueblo
Harding
Northwest Missouri State
Pittsburg State
Southern Arkansas
Texas-Permian Basin
Western Colorado
Western Oregon

Interesting that Angelo State isn’t on the list and Southern Arkansas, who just lost big to Ouachita Baptist, is on the list. 

In the LSC, UTPB, despite being tied for third in the LSC, has by far the easiest path to the playoffs, with the LSC’s bottom three teams ahead of them.  There is, however, a possible trap for the Falcons with what will likely be a significant hit to their strength of schedule with those three games along with a winless Adams State team on the schedule too.  CWU, Angelo State, and WOU all play each other over the season’s final three weeks, so we may see some cannibalism among those three teams. 

Non-LSC games of note (and this isn’t going to be a comprehensive list) include Chadron State facing both Western Colorado and CSU-Pueblo in their final two games, Western Colorado facing CSU-Pueblo this week, Northwest Missouri State facing Pittsburg State in the season’s final week, and Southern Arkansas facing East Central this week.  So buckle up, strap in, and get ready for a wild ride!   

LSC Standings

Week 9 Preview

Angelo State is in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they need to get it at the LSC’s top team, Central Washington.  Western Oregon hosts Midwestern State looking to continue working their way through their brutal end-of-season schedule and maybe, maybe, maybe (!) move their way into playoff consideration.  TAMUK heads to Canyon needing to break its two-game losing streak against a Buffaloes team that might need to remember when their offense was on the field.  Finally, we have two games in New Mexico, with WNMU hosting UTPB and ENMU hosting Sul Ross State.    

All games are on Saturday, November 1.  All game times are in the Central time zone.

#17 Texas-Permian Basin at Western New Mexico, 1:00 PM

Series History: Texas-Permian Basin leads 7-2

Last meeting: 2024 (Texas-Permian Basin won 41-3)

UTPB finishes the season facing the LSC’s bottom three teams, starting with WNMU.  This game looks to be an opportunity for the Falcons to work on their ball control and running game since Kanon Gibson and the passing game has performed well this season.  I’m not saying that UTPB is going to break any records running the ball, but I think they will see what ENMU did last week and just go right at the Mustang defensive front.  I can see this game as being a lot like UTPB’s last game, where they held the ball for over 40 minutes of the game.  WNMU will move the ball a bit and maybe even get a couple touchdowns, but I don’t expect their defense to keep it close.  Texas-Permian Basin by 21 points.

Midwestern State at Western Oregon, 3:05 PM

Series History: Series tied 2-2  

Last meeting: 2024 (Western Oregon won 21-16)

Western Oregon is in position to play in a post-season game for the first time since the 2007 season, when they beat Colorado Mines 26-12 in the Dixie Rotary Bowl to complete head coach Arne Ferguson’s third season with a 9-2 record.  If they want any chance to earn a playoff spot, this (and probably the rest of their games) is a must-win.  The Wolves need to keep the opposing defense honest and show offensive balance like they have the last two weeks and Jordan McCarty needs to maintain that Kennedy McGill-like presence with his arm and his legs.  Midwestern State needs a game like they had against TAMUK, where they had offensive balance and took advantage of turning over the Javelinas four times.  The Wolves will need to keep the MSU passing game in front of them and maybe get some interceptions (they have 14 on the season).  For MSU – make the game ugly, get pressure on McCarty, and maybe get something on the ground so the Mustang quarterback doesn’t have to do everything.  I’m just not sure MSU can do it over a WOU team that seems to be getting better every week.  I think WOU gets it done and goes into the final two weeks with a chance at the playoffs.  Western Oregon by 14 points.   

Texas A&M-Kingsville at West Texas A&M, 4:00 PM

Series History: Texas A&M-Kingsville leads 20-18-1

Last meeting: 2024 (West Texas A&M won 21-14)

So, Javelina fans, how are your nails looking these days after all the nail-biting this past month?  Even with the win over Angelo State three weeks ago, the last month has not been kind with TAMUK losing 3 of their last 4 games, with all three losses by one score.  WT had its 3-game winning streak snapped at a UTPB team that just simply kept the ball away from them. 

Both teams want to throw the ball and move the ball up and down the field with pace, with neither team likely to win any battles for time of possession.  TAMUK has turned the ball over quite a bit more, 18 times (11 interceptions) to WT’s 11 (6 interceptions.  TAMUK averages 32 points a game and WT 33, and TAMUK gives up 27 points a game and WT 26.  When you have so many statistics that are as close as these two teams are, where might the differences lie?  There are the turnovers, as have been mentioned already.  There are also the sack totals, which WT leads 22 to 12.  Maybe the WT defense gets in Jack Turner’s face enough to make him rush some throws that end up in Buffalo hands?   I think that might be the difference in a game where I think a good portion of it will be up-and-down with a lot of footballs in the air.  Buffaloes get a couple of picks and keep TAMUK from sneaking out of Canyon with a win.  West Texas A&M by a touchdown. 

Sul Ross State at Eastern New Mexico, 7:00 PM

Series History: Sul Ross State leads 14-12-1

Last meeting: 2024 (The teams split two games, with Sul Ross State winning 36-17 and Eastern New Mexico winning 33-28)

So what does ENMU do for an encore after breaking the all-time Division 2 team rushing record last week?  Well, they’re not going to throw for 500 yards, that’s for sure.  Expect the Greyhounds to go right at the Sul Ross defense like I think UTPB will with WNMU, so it’s going to be a heavy diet of Jarius Stewart and he should have another strong game.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Sul Ross moves the ball well at points in this game and keeps it close for a half, but the Greyhounds should be able to pull away and have a mostly easy second half.  Eastern New Mexico by 17 points.     

#18 Angelo State at #7 Central Washington, 8:00 PM

Series History: Angelo State leads 3-1  

Last meeting: 2024 (Angelo State won 17-16)

Here’s your game of the week and the LSC’s most important game this week in terms of playoff chances and positioning.  Central Washington has met every challenge this season except for the Montana game, particularly winning close games over UTPB and TAMUK.   Angelo State had their own close games against UTPB and TAMUK, but the Rams didn’t end up on top.  CWU is in the LSC driver’s seat, and ASU is in desperate need of a big win for playoff consideration.  

In this game, the teams’ offensive strengths also coincide with the opponents’ defensive strengths, specifically both teams’ rushing defenses (CWU 95 yards per game, ASU 102) and both teams’ rushing offenses (CWU 286 yards per game, ASU 198).  Both teams put plenty of pressure on the opposing quarterback (CWU 21 sacks, ASU 17) and both teams give up 19 points per game.  So, I think this game is going to be very physical and will be won up front in the trenches.  As the season has gone on, CWU has been the most consistent team in the LSC, either completely dominating or finding ways to win despite having an offense and a quarterback who would rather live on the ground than in the air.  ASU had a lot of success on the ground last week, but that was against Sul Ross State, so the Rams will also need success from their passing game to be competitive in the game.  That passing game part I am really concerned about, especially if Braeden Fuller’s mobility is still compromised, and it’s the main reason I am going with CWU to win a very close game.  Central Washington by a touchdown.