Notable Week 1 Results
Thursday September 2nd
#8 TAMU-Commerce 12 #14 CSU-Pueblo 6
The Lions survived an opening game slog on the road against a dangerous opponent to start the season 1-0. No TDs were scored by either team in the battle of top 25 teams, with the Lions kicking 4 FGs and the ThunderWolves kicking making 2. Unfortunately for the Lions, they look to be without star QB Miklo Smalls for an extended period of time this year, as he suffered a knee injury late in training camp. It showed for the LSC favorites who went 13-30 passing and finished with only 118 yards through the air. Defenses ruled the day overall, with the two powerhouses combining for less than 400 yards of offense. The Lions defense lead by DL Elijah Earls (4 tackles 2.5 TFL 1.0 sack) put up big chaos numbers, 12.0 TFL 2.0 sacks 1 INT 1 fumble recovery. Midwestern State (1-0) will be in Commerce for week 2 before the Argos travel to Texas for a huge week 3 showdown, and rematch of the 2017 National championship
Bethel 14 Delta State 48
Delta State starts the season hot with a 5 score win against Bethel. The Statesmen got it done in both phases on offense, with two QBs combining for 313 yards passing and 4 TDs vs just 1 INT the team rushing for 191 yards on 5.8 YPC and 3 more TDs. Starting QB Patrick Shegog went 16-19 3 TD 1 INT and leading rusher Rico Owens II had 97 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. DSU’s defense did yield 356 yards of offense on 5.6 yards per play, but made up for it with 4 INTs and 3 fumbles recovered. While the score was a blowout, the Statesmen have a lot to clean up (4 turnovers) before they hit GSC play. They are back in action next weekend at home against McKendree (0-1).
UWG 45 #24 Carson-Newman 7
Huge statement win for the Wolves of West Georgia to hit the road and beat a top team in the SAC. Mercer transfer Harrison Frost was excellent in his first start at QB for UWG going 29-40 316 3 TD 1 INT while the Wolves ground game racked up 139 yards and 2 TDs. Two WRs for West Georgia topped 80 yards and Mechane Slade caught 2 of the 3 TDs. On defense the Wolves absolutely stymied Carson-Newman’s potent triple option which gained only 132 yards on 3.4 YPC. UWG tallied 8 TFL 2 sacks and recovered 2 fumbles en route to a 3 quarter shut out after giving up a TD in the first quarter. Next week the Wolves take on Morehouse (0-1) at home.
Albany State 24 Mississippi College 0
The only Argo opponent to catch a loss on opening night was MC, who fell at home in a shutout to Albany State. The Choctaws were solid on the ground, as you’d expect from a triple option team, putting up 141 yards on 4.1 YPC, but failed to find the endzone and completed just 3 of 11 passing attempts. MC also turned the ball over 3 times (2 INT 1 fumble). RB Tytus Heard was solid gaining 88 on 19 carries. The defense wasn’t bad, giving up 279 yards, but also scored no sacks only 3.0 TFL and gave up a score every quarter to an Albany State team that wasn’t particularly explosive, and just won on good field positioning (longest drive 55 yards) and ball control (TOP 30:49 vs 25:17). MC is off next week then hosts Ft. Lauderdale on the 18th.
Saturday September 4th
SBU 16 UT 24 Permian Basin
Week 2 opponent Southwest Baptist played a tough game on the road against UT Permian basin, losing 24-16. The Bearcat defense gave up over 400 yards of offense including 170 on the ground. Quarterback Cooper Callais will be looked on to continue throwing the ball at high volume, after getting 44 attempts on Saturday. Senior Wide Receiver Curtis Cuillard continues to be a steady performer for SBU, tallying his 3rd 100 yard 1 TD game in the last four played. SBU will be on campus in Pensacola next week.
Limestone 16 North Greenville 37
North Greenville won their opener, defeating visiting Limestone 37-16. Full stats were not available at the time of this posting but Quarterback Kaelan Riley finished with 4 TDs and 246 yards passing, while leading rusher Dre Williams had a fantastic game with 179 yards and a TD along with a 27 yards and a TD catch. NGU hosts Newberry (1-0) for week 2.
Brevard 14 Shorter 38
Shorter played great defense against Brevard, giving up only 273 yards and turning over the Tornados three times (2 INT 1 fumble). Jaiden Dollard punched it in for 3 rushing TDs and Quarterback Aeneas Dennis was efficient completing over 80% 226 yards and 1 TD. The Hawks play at Albany State (1-0) on the 11th.
Morehouse 7 West Alabama 48
Another top team in the GSC starts the week out strong with a pummeling of Morehouse. The Tigers exploded for 550 yards of offense and 29 first downs. Star Quarterback Jack McDaniels had a stellar 344 yard 4 TD performance, and Reggie Davenport scorched Morehouse for 111 yards on just 7 carries. The Tigers will need to clean up the penalties, 15 for 173 yards, but this is a potent offense that is going to give teams problems this season. UWA plays Tuskegee (0-0, plays Sunday) next weekend in Montgomery.
Savannah State 7 Valdosta State 53
The Blazers dominated in their first game since 2019 against SIAC opponent Savannah State. VSU outgained Savannah State 395 to 166, and rushed for over 200 yards and 3 TDs. On offense the Valdosta got a 13-18 160 yard 2 TD 0 INT performance from new starter Ivory Durham adding 34 yards rushing. McGill, Thompkins, and Hollingshed all hit paydirt on the ground. Defensively the Blazers recovered 3 fumbles and sacked Savannah State 4 times. Valdosta travels to Virginia Union (0-1) next weekend.
*Note: University of Ft Lauderdale was supposed to open their season on the 28th of August against NAIA Southeastern University in Lakeland, the game was forfeit due to Covid issues with Ft Lauderdale. Their schedule shows them playing at UT Permian Basin on Friday, but UT Permian Basin opened the season against SBU on Saturday. Ft Lauderdale has upcoming games scheduled against Presbyterian, MC, UWF, and TAMU Commerce, we will be monitoring if those come to fruition as the season progresses.
