Lone Star Conference Football Weekly Release (09/04/17)

Angelo State | Cameron | Eastern New Mexico | Midwestern State | Tarleton State | Texas A&M-Commerce
Texas A&M-Kingsville | Texas Woman’s | UT Permian Basin | West Texas A&M | Western New Mexico
www.lonestarconference.org | 1221 W. Campbell Rd. Suite 171, Richardson, Texas 75080 | Phone: 972-234-0033 | Fax: 972-234-4110
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, September 04, 2017
Contact: Melanie Robotham, (972) 234-0033 Ext. 103
LONE STAR CONFERENCE FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE
September 4, 2017
LSC FOOTBALL
Nine games are on the schedule this week including one Lone Star Conference contest and eight non-
conference games. Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico will open LSC play in Silver City, N.M.
Angelo State, ENMU, Midwestern State, and Texas A&M-Commerce started the season with wins in non-
conference action last week.
LSC football teams are 4-5 overall this season. The squads are 0-2 combined versus the Rocky Mountain
Athletic Conference, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and Great Northwest Athletic
Conference teams, which are also in NCAA Super Regional Four.
LSC schedule and results available here: http://www.lonestarconference.org/calendar.aspx?path=football
LSC FOOTBALL ON ESPN3
The Lone Star Conference game between Tarleton State and Texas A&M-Kingsville on October 21 will be
featured as part of the 2017 NCAA Division II Football Showcase schedule.
The Texans and Javelinas Homecoming meeting in Kingsville, Texas, will be streamed live on ESPN3 as part of
an ongoing three-year agreement to highlight Division II athletics events.
The first 18 games of the football showcase are predetermined matchups. Four additional flex games —
highlighting crucial matchups — will be finalized later in the football season and played in November.
ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multiscreen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports
events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through the ESPN
app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed
internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
D'Angelo Bowie, Western New Mexico, SR, WR, Virginia Beach, Va., Landstown
Bowie set a new Lone Star Conference record for receptions in a single game hauling in 19, which broke the
old mark of 15, against San Diego. Bowie's big game didn't just include all of his catches, but he also went for
263 yards, the most for a Mustang since Xavier Ayers had 250 yards in 2015, with two touchdowns. Bowie

opened the scoring with an eight-yard touchdown and later brought WNMU back to within seven when he
recorded an 86-yard TD. Bowie efforts rank first in Division II for receptions and receiving yards this season.
DEFENSIVE
Chris Smith, Texas A&M University-Commerce, JR, CB, Mansfield, Texas, Mansfield Legacy HS
Smith had six tackles, including two tackles for loss against North Alabama. He made arguably the biggest
defensive play of the game for the Lions, recording a UNA safety that not only gave the Lions two points, but
also another possession. The Lions used this possession to drive down the field for the game-winning field
goal. Smith also had a pass breakup.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bailey Hale, Eastern New Mexico University, SO, K, Iowa Park, Texas, Abilene Christian
Hale's dramatic 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left was his second of the day from that distance. It also
lifted the Greyhounds to a season-opening victory over No. 18 Southwest Baptist. The sophomore kicker went
3-4 on field goals to score 11 of ENMU’s 23 points on the day. The contest also marked the first time a
Greyhound kicker hit multiple 40-yard field goals in the same game since Lee Price against East Central on
September 17, 2005. Hale also had three touchbacks on six kickoffs, which included the final one after ENMU
took the lead with seven seconds left.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Offensive
S-4 D'Angelo Bowie, Western New Mexico
Defensive
S-4 Chris Smith, Texas A&M-Commerce
Special Teams
S-4 Bailey Hale, Eastern New Mexico
OTHER TOP PERFORMERS
Jared Machorro, Texas A&M University-Commerce, recorded five pancake blocks and allowed no sacks on
37 passing plays against the No. 6 North Alabama defense. He graded out at 91 percent. He was also part of
the line that helped produce 93 rushing yards.
Adrian Seales, Midwestern State University, the top rusher in NCAA Division II delivered the fourth-best
rushing performance in MSU history going for 243 yards on 17 carries while accounting for a touchdown in a
53-6 season opening whipping of Quincy (Ill.). The 5-10, 207-pounder ripped off six runs of least 10 yards
including bursts of 78 and 50 yards notching his lone score on a 17-yard scamper in the second quarter. Seales'
effort helped the Mustangs amass a national best 468 team rushing yards which also stands as the fourth-best
day in MSU history. It was the junior from Port Arthur's fourth career 100-yard rushing performance.

Nick Pelrean, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, was the silver lining for Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday
night as he averaged 9.3 yards per carry, totaling 102 yards on the ground. The Houston native touched pay
dirt in the first quarter on a 56-yard run, which served as the Hogs only touchdown in the 34-10 loss to Central
Washington.
Warren Witherspoon, West Texas A&M University, had a breakout game as he rushed for 138 yards on 24
carries against #13 Azusa Pacific on Saturday. He exploded in the second half or 124 yards after having just 14
yards on the ground in the first half. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the ground for the Buffs.
Witherspoon had not rushed for more than three yards in his career at WT to this point and had just three
carries all-time entering Saturday's game.
Jake Faber, Angelo State University, had a hand in four of Angelo State's five touchdowns in a dominating
42-2 win over McKendree to open the season. The senior quarterback guided the offense with 164 yards
through the air and 58 yards on the ground. He threw two touchdowns on 15-of-25 passing and carried the
ball 16 times for 58 yards. He also added two touchdowns on the ground while averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Wyatt Strand, Eastern New Mexico University, played a standout game and led the Greyhounds to a season-
opening win over #18 Southwest Baptist. In ENMU's option offense, he completed seven passes, which
included a 56-yard game-tying touchdown in the opening quarter. Strand also rushed for 63 yards which
included a game-best 20-yard run on fourth-and-13 to set up the game-winning field goal.
Jeff Thomas, Tarleton State University, made his return to the football field a special one last Saturday as
the senior from Duncanville hauled in nine receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown in his first game since
leaving with an injury and missing the final four games of last season.
E.J. Speed, Tarleton State University, picked up right where he left off last season as the Tarleton junior
linebacker had 12 tackles, including 10 solo stops and 3.0 for a loss. Speed was an All-LSC defensive end last
season and has transitioned to a linebacker for 2017.
Zach Johnson, Eastern New Mexico University, led the Greyhound defense with nine tackles and forced two
fumbles, which were recovered by ENMU. His performance helped limit #18 Southwest Baptist to just four
third-down conversions in 14 attempts and lift Eastern to a season-opening win. Johnson also had 1.5 tackles
for a loss.
Alec DiValerio, Midwestern State University, played a key role in helping the Midwestern State hold
Quincy's offense scoreless in a 53-6 season opening win Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. The junior from
Sachse paced the team with eight tackles including a strip sack of QU quarterback Andrew Rund resulting in
one of Midwestern's three turnovers of the game. MSU held the Hawks to 246 yards of total offense including
144 on the ground and 102 through the air. Quincy's lone score came on a 97-yard kick return in the fourth
quarter.
Dominic Barry, Western New Mexico, led the defense like he did so many times last year compiling eight
tackles, with three coming solo. In addition he added a quarterback hurry.
Daelin Young, West Texas A&M University, was all over the field Saturday evening registering six total
tackles with five solo stops, including a team-high three tackles for loss for 16 yards and two sacks for 15
yards, along with two quarterback hurries to lead the team. Young and the Buffs held the high-powered, #13-
ranked Azusa Pacific offense to just 317 yards for the game. Young's two sacks gives him 10 for his career and
the three tackles for loss gives him 22.5 for his career in 32 career games.

Grant Coonce, Angelo State University, was a key factor in the Rams holding McKendree to just 127 total
yards and -13 rushing yards in a dominating 42-2 season opening win. The senior was disruptive on the
defensive line making three tackles of which all were tackles for loss. He had his first sack of the season. The -
13 yards is the fewest allowed since 2008 and the two points are the fewest in a season opener since 1975.
Kristov Martinez, Texas A&M University-Commerce, made both of his field goal attempts against No. 6
North Alabama. None were bigger than his 30-yard field goal with 1:12 remaining on the clock to give the
Lions the lead and eventually the win. During the game, Martinez moved into third place all-time in career
field goals in A&M-Commerce history.
John Cummings, West Texas A&M University, S had four punts for a 45.2 average in the season-opener
against #13 Azusa Pacific. Cummings, who led the LSC in punting last season, had a long of 55 with two
touchbacks, one fair catch, one inside the 20 and two over 50 yards. For his career, he has 49 punts for 2,077
yards and a 42.4 average with a career-long of 69.
Ron Reid, Tarleton State University, punted seven times with an average of 39.7 yards per punt. He booted
a long kick of 56 yards and pinned two punts inside the 20-yard line.
Sean North, Western New Mexico, had a big 46-yard kickoff return early in the second half to help setup a
Mustang drive. He also added five catches for 68 yards, with a long of 44 yards that went for a score.
LSC NOTES (Submitted by LSC SID’s)
Angelo State
Angelo State defeated McKendree 42-2 while limiting the Bearcats to -13 rushing yards. The -13 rushing yards
was the fewest since 2008. It is the first time ASU has held an opponent without an offensive touchdown since
Bacone in 2013. Jake Faber accounted for four of the five ASU touchdowns with two on the ground and two
through the air. Josh Stevens rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries. Markus Jones recorded his first block of the
season on a field goal. ASU will host Northern Michigan this Saturday, Sept. 9 at LeGrand Stadium at 1st
Community Credit Union Field.
Eastern New Mexico
The Eastern New Mexico football team needed all of its timeouts and a 20-yard scramble on fourth-and-13 to
have a chance to win with seven seconds left. Wyatt Strand's fourth-down conversion set up Bailey Hale's
game-winning 41-yard field goal to lift the Greyhounds to a season-opening 23-21 win over 18th-ranked
Southwest Baptist. Hale's kick marked the first time since September 17, 2005 an ENMU player made multiple
field goals in a game of at least 40 yards. Strand had an efficient game and had 173 yards of total offense with
one touchdown pass, while Kamal Cass ran for 98 yards and a score. The Greyhound defense was dominant
and allowed just four third-down conversions in 14 chances. Zach Johnson made a team-high nine stops with
1.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of forced fumbles. After the Hounds scored two touchdowns in the opening
quarter, Hale accounted for the rest of the scoring with three field goals to finish with 11 points. Cass scored a
touchdown in his sixth straight game, dating back to an October 2017 game against Bacone College. He now
has 37 rushing touchdowns for his career. Head Coach Kelley Lee became the first Greyhound football coach
to win his debut since Harold "Bud" Elliott edged New Mexico Highlands, 27-26, in the 1994 opener. This
week, the Greyhounds open a two-game road swing at Western New Mexico.

Midwestern State
Midwestern State defeated a foe from the Great Lakes Valley Conference for the fourth consecutive year
rolling to a 53-6 win over Quincy (Ill.)... The Mustangs are now 20-10 in season openers since bringing back
football in 1988... MSU improved to 12-2 in campaign lid lifters at Memorial Stadium and is 14-2 during the Bill
Maskill era in season... The Mustangs churned out their fourth best team rushing performance rolling up 468
yards on the ground. It was their best effort since running for 476 yards versus McMurry in 2013... MSU's
offensive outburst of 605 yards of total offense and 468 rushing yards were the tops in NCAA Division II last
week... The Mustangs amassed 600 yards of total offense for the 17th time in program history finishing with
605 in the win over Quincy... Junior running back Adrian Seales notched the fourth best individual rushing
game in school history finishing the night with 243 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown... Seales'
performance also stood as the best rushing day in all of Division II last week... Former All-America quarterback
Daniel Polk is the only player in program history to run for more yards in a game going for 290 against Abilene
Christian in 2007, 259 versus Southeastern Oklahoma in 2006 and 244 at Eastern New Mexico in 2005... That
means a runner wearing MSU's No. 5 jersey has accounted for the top four rushing efforts in program history
as Polk also wore the number... The performance was Seales' fourth 100-yard effort of his career... Seales
needs 58 yards to become the 20th runner in school history to amass 1,000 career rushing yards... Fellow
junior Vincent Johnson accounted for 177 all-purpose rushing for 136 yards and three touchdowns while
catching two passes for 41 more yards... Johnson jumped ahead three spots to 14th on MSU's all-time rushing
list moving past Beejay Mathis (1353 yards/2007-09), Ulysses Odoms (1380 yards/2005-06) and Lester Bush
(1423 yards/2008-11) and now has 1,469 career rushing yards... With three touchdowns, Johnson accounted
for mulitple scores for the 11th time of his career... Johnson moved past former NFL standout Dominic Rhodes
(27 TDs/1999-00) in to fifth place on the program's all-time rushing touchdowns list with 29 just behind Ross
Harrison (29 TDs/2003-06) and Brandon Kelsey (30 TDs/2009-12)... Sophomore Marcus Wilkerson returned an
interception 49 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown. It was the first Pick-6 for MSU since former All-
American Dominique Rouse raced 52 yards for a score against Eastern New Mexico at AT&T Stadium on Sept.
20, 2014... Junior Paul Manus blocked a PAT allowing sophomore Marcus Wilkerson to race for a defensive 2-
point conversion in the fourth quarter. It was the first time an MSU team returned a PAT for a score in
program history... Junior defensive end Alec DiValerio matched a team-high with eight tackles including a strip
sack... Junior safety Josh Wydermyer also notched eight tackles including six solo stops...
Tarleton State
Tarleton dropped Saturday's season opener at Delta State. The Texans will make their home debut Saturday
against Oklahoma Panhandle.
Texas A&M-Commerce
The No. 5 Lions won an 8-7 defensive battle against No. 6 North Alabama on Friday. The Lion defense ruled
the day, forcing a safety late in the fourth quarter after a 55-yard punt pinned UNA on the two-yard line. The
defense held UNA scoreless on all but one possession. A&M-Commerce's special teams also shined, causing
UNA to miss all four of its field goal attempts, including blocking a kick in the final seconds of the game to
preserve the win. The Lions return to action on Saturday in their home opener against William Jewell at 6 p.m.

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Central Washington 34, TAMUK 10.
UT Permian Basin
Sul Ross 47, UTPB 22.
West Texas A&M
The West Texas A&M football team put up a strong showing a 24-13 loss to #13 Azusa Pacific on Saturday
evening ... It was head coach Hunter Hughes' first game at the helm of the Buffs ... After two quick scores by
APU on its first two possessions, the Buffs settled down and kept the score at 10-0 through the first half ... WT
had a chance to get on the board but freshman kicker Alex Schrag missed his first field goal attempt late in the
first half ... Sophomore defensive back Kevon Thomas picked off the Andrew Ellfers pass in the third and
returned it 36-yards for a pick-six and marked the first since Austin Williams returned one 16 yards at
Colorado State-Pueblo last season (9/10/16) ... Schrag had two field goals in the second half as the Buffs
trailed 17-13 ... With a minute left in regulation and WT driving, the Buffs coughed it up and APU returned it to
the house for a touchdown and a 24-13 score ... Despite the loss, WT had 223 yards on the ground on 49
carries as junior Warren Witherspoon had a career-high 138 yards on the ground on 24 carries ... He had just
14 yards on the ground at half ... Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Houghtaling made his first career start
going 9 of 21 for 94 yards ... Senior linebacker Daelin Young had six total tackles with five solo stops, two sacks
for 15 yards and three tackles for loss for 16 yards ... WT and APU each ended with 317 yards of total offense
in the game ... The Buffs held APU to just 81 yards on the ground ... WT had just three penalties in the game
for 15 yards with two coming on the final drive before the fumble ... WT was 4 of 15 on third down and 2 of 4
on fourth ... Senior punter John Cummings had four punts for a 45.2 average with two over 50 yards ... WT
hosts CSU-Pueblo next Saturday as Hughes came to WT after 10 years as defensive coordinator at CSU-Pueblo.
Western New Mexico
WNMU came out firing against the Toreros as they opened up a 13-0 lead before USD came back for the
victory. In addition to strong performances from D'Angelo Bowie, Dominic Barry and Sean North, quarterback
Javia Hall threw for 464 yards and three touchdowns, while Evan Beebe added seven catches for 83 yards.
Bowie set a new Lone Star Conference record for receptions in a single game hauling in 19 to break the old
mark of 15 against the University of San Diego. Bowie ended up catching more passes than USD's quarterback
Anthony Lawrence completed (15). Bowie's big game didn't just include all of his catches, but he also went for
263 yards, the most for a Mustang since Xavier Ayers had 250 yards in 2015. He also added two touchdowns.
Bowie opened the scoring with an eight-yard TD pass and later brought WNMU back to within seven when he
recorded an 86-yard score. Barry led the defense like he did so many times last year compiling eight tackles,
with three coming solo, and added a quarterback hurry. North had a big 46-yard kickoff return early in the
second half to help setup a Mustang drive. He also added five catches for 68 yards, with a long of 44 yards that
went for a score.
# LSC #

Lone Star Conference Football Weekly Release (09/04/17)

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