NCAA DII Recap

No. 4 Tarleton Texans (8-0, 6-0)

Last Week: Tarleton did not play its best game of the season but left with a win as they defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville 45-33 last Saturday night. Running back Daniel McCants had another incredible game with 250 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 15 carries while wide receiver Zimari Manning added 143 yards and two touchdowns on only four receptions. Defensive back Prince Robinson was outstanding for the Texans defense with 10 tackles, six solo, and broke up four passes.

The Verdict: The Texans had an unusual performance for them on defense last week. The defense and the entire team will look to make a statement this week as they return home to play one final game against a longtime rival.

This Week: Tarleton returns home to play Midwestern State at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The game will be broadcast on MyNetworkTV 35.

No. 21 Angelo State Rams (7-1, 5-1)

Last Week: ASU scored 55 unanswered points last Saturday as they rolled to a big 65-7 win at home over UT Permian Basin. Quarterback Payne Sullins completed 23-of-35 passes for 327 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Daven Manning led the rushing attack with 57 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while wide receiver Keke Chism had nine receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Defensive back Leddy French II led the Rams defense with nine tackles, four solo, one sack and broke up a pass.

The Verdict: The Rams took care of business last week, but the next three weeks are crucial for ASU and their playoff hopes. The Rams have two road games against dangerous teams before a final showdown at home that could determine a playoff spot.

This Week: ASU begins a two-game road trip as they play Adams State at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

No. 24 Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (5-2, 4-1)

Last Week: Texas A&M-Commerce scored 34 unanswered points last Saturday as they rolled to a 62-21 win at home over Western New Mexico. Wide receiver Ryan Stokes caught five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns while quarterback Miklo Smalls completed 18-of-28 passes for 282 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Antonio Lealiiee added 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

The Verdict: The Lions rebounded nicely and took out some frustration last week in a big homecoming win. With tragedy striking near campus following the game, the Lions must focus as they have a huge road game this week and need a win to remain in the playoff hunt.

This Week: TAMUC travels to play West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

West Texas A&M Buffaloes (6-2, 3-2)

Last Week: WT scored the first 28 points in the game last Saturday as they broke a three-game losing streak to Eastern New Mexico with a 35-14 win in the Wagon Wheel Game. Quarterback Nick Gerber completed 14-of-27 passes for 133 yards with two touchdowns and an interception to lead the Buffs offense. The WT defense forced six turnovers led by linebacker Josiah Pennington who had 10 tackles with one tackle for loss and defensive back Mike Jones who recorded 10 tackles, five solo, 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble.

The Verdict: The Buffs broke their recent streak of slow starts with 21 points in the first quarter last week. The win was huge for WT as they defeated a rival and kept its playoff hopes alive. This week’s game is a playoff game for the Buffs as a loss eliminates them from playoff contention.

This Week: The Buffs return home to host No. 24 Texas A&M-Commerce at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.

Midwestern State Mustangs (4-4, 2-3)

Last Week: A tough third quarter was too much for MSU-Texas as they lost 37-22 on the road to Western Oregon last Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Triston Williams completed 13-of-35 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception while Xavier Land led the receivers with 101 yards on four receptions. Lazarus Fisher gained 92 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Mustangs. Defensive back Marcus Wilkerson had 11 tackles, six solo, and one tackle for loss for the defense.

The Verdict: This has been an unusual season for the Mustangs under head coach Bill Maskill as they are in danger of having an overall losing record for the first time in the last 20 years. The Mustangs must win two of their final three games to secure a winning record and face the final game against a longtime rival this week.

This Week: MSU-Texas concludes a two-game road trip this week as they play No. 4 Tarleton on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on MyNetworkTV

UT Permian Basin Falcons (2-6, 0-5)

Last Week: UTPB was unable to contain the offense of No. 22 Angelo State last week as they lost 65-7 on the road. Running back Davion Sutton gained 105 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead the Falcons offense while three Falcons quarterbacks combined to complete 11-of-30 passes for 93 yards with three interceptions. Linebacker Chris Hoad broke his own school record with 24 tackles and 0.5 tackle for loss for the UTPB defense.

The Verdict: The Falcons have lost six straight games and are reeling right now in their fourth season of football. UTPB has two of its last three games of the season at home and its linebackers will be huge this week in stopping the triple-option.

This Week: UTPB returns home to play Eastern New Mexico on Saturday night at 6 p.m.

Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas (1-7, 0-5)

Last Week: Texas A&M-Kingsville put up an incredible fight before falling 45-33 at home to No. 4 Tarleton last week. Quarterback Koy Detmer was incredible as he completed 37-of-65 passes for 450 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Darrian Hambrick gained 151 yards receiving and a touchdown on 12 catches while Devin Milburn added 117 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. Defensive back Josh Wilson had nine tackles, all solo, with one tackle for loss for the Javelinas defense.

The Verdict: A transition at quarterback last week has most likely earned Detmer another start on the road this week. The Javelinas possibly played their best of the season but need to focus as they face a long road trip and a winnable game this week.

This Week: TAMUK travels to Silver City, N.M. to play Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. Saturday night.