FRISCO – Lamar grinded out a massive upset of No. 4/6 South Dakota to open their home season in Boomtown, while UTRGV earned their first over road win at Prairie View and Southeastern rolled over Murray State. Here is the Week 2 Rundown.
Lamar 20, No. 4/6 South Dakota 13
Big Red allowed just three points in the second half to defeat No. 4 South Dakota, 20-13, Saturday evening in its 2025 home opener. It is the highest-ranked win in program history, according to Lamar records. The Coyotes edged Lamar in total yards, 243-204, but 158 of those yards came in the first half. Lamar’s defense pitched a near shutout in the second half, holding South Dakota to just three points on 85 yards. Big Red also forced three turnovers – two fumbles and an interception. One of the fumbles came on the LU 1-yard line when it appeared South Dakota was driving for a go-ahead score with seconds remaining in the opening half. Christian Booker stripped the ball away, and Jaden Maronen recovered it in the end zone. Joshua Robinson’s fourth-quarter, 5-yard plunge up the middle – his first touchdown in the Lamar Red and White – gave the Cardinals the lead for good.
UTRGV 27, Prairie View 21
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football team erupted on the sidelines as redshirt freshman defensive back Alijah Prosser forced a fumble in the final minutes of Saturday’s contest at Blackshear Field. The play, capped by redshirt senior defensive back Elijah Graham’s recovery, secured UTRGV’s first road win and first victory over an NCAA Division I opponent as the Vaqueros defeated Prairie View A&M, 27-21, in thrilling fashion. The Panthers took a 21-20 lead with 13 minutes remaining, but UTRGV’s defense delivered when it mattered most, forcing a clutch three-and-out late in the fourth to give the ball back to the offense with 5:25 to play. Graduate running back Nathan Denney pounded the ball down to the 10 after a big pass interference call against the Panthers. On the next play, Denney rushed left behind a key block from freshman tight end Brendon Ray for the go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown, putting UTRGV back on top with 2:21 remaining.
Southeastern 45, Murray State 24
Southeastern Louisiana earned a 45-24 non-conference road victory over Murray State Saturday night at Roy Stewart Stadium. Southeastern (1-1) outscored the Racers, 21-3, in the second quarter to break open the game and never looked back. The Lions led 28-10 at halftime, and Murray State (0-2) could never get closer than 14 in the second half. Quarterbacks Carson Camp (18-for-25, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and Kyle Lowe (6-for-8, 45 yards) split time under center. SLU racked up 480 total yards and 31 first downs in the win. Lowe also led Southeastern on the ground with 13 carries for 97 yards and three touchdowns, as the Lions finished with 262 rushing yards. Defensively, KK Reno had eight tackles. Khamron Ford and Shakespeare Louis each intercepted passes, while Peyton Anderson forced a fumble that Khalid Moore returned for a touchdown.
No. 16/17 Abilene Christian 28, No. 25/23 SFA 20
A fast start – 130 yards on 18 plays and two touchdowns on the first two possessions – and a late surge with a 52-yard punt return touchdown in the final minute were not enough for No. 23/25 Stephen F. Austin on Saturday night at Anthony Field inside Wildcat Stadium. The Lumberjacks dropped their FCS opener, 28-20, to No. 16/17 Abilene Christian in the 27th all-time meeting between the programs. It was a tale of two quarters in the first half as SFA struck for the game’s first two touchdowns on consecutive drives, seizing the early momentum behind strong efforts on both sides of the ball. A direct snap to Jordan Nabors capped the ’Jacks’ first drive as the senior plunged in from 7 yards out. That score was set up by Vidlak connecting with senior Kylon Harris for 47 yards down the middle of the field to set up a goal-to-go situation.
RV Eastern Kentucky 20, HCU 10
HCU outgained Eastern Kentucky and nearly doubled the hosts in first downs but ultimately fell 20-10 on Saturday night at Roy Kidd Stadium. The Huskies finished with 248 total yards while holding EKU to 177. Redshirt freshman Tamarcus Gray Jr. caught 10 passes for 80 yards, while Ja’Ryan Wallace added five catches for 57 yards. Weir completed 21-of-44 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. On the ground, Evans led HCU with 40 yards on 15 carries. Defensively, safety Norey Johnson led the Huskies with eight tackles, while Rodney Dansby added seven. Georges recorded his first interception in an HCU uniform and added 1.5 tackles for loss.
Louisiana 34, McNeese 10
McNeese held its own against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday night, but the final score was not indicative of the overall contest in a 34-10 win for Louisiana in front of 26,071. McNeese (1-1) trailed 17-10 after three quarters, but the Cajuns (1-1) sealed the win with 17 points in the final quarter, including 14 in the last 3:48. Joshua Jackson caught four passes for 83 yards, while Jake Strong threw for 191 yards.
RV West Georgia 34, No. 22/25 Nicholls 10
After two strong showings to start the season, No. 22/25 Nicholls struggled on both sides of the ball in a 34-10 loss to RV West Georgia on Saturday night at John L. Guidry Stadium. Nicholls (1-2) forced three turnovers in the first half but managed only three points, falling behind 14-3 at the break. West Georgia extended its lead to 34-3 early in the fourth before Jackson Dufrene hauled in a 44-yard touchdown catch for the Colonels’ lone score. Nicholls allowed 342 rushing yards as Latrelle Murrell (170 yards) and quarterback Davin Wydner (103) each surpassed the 100-yard mark. The total was the most rushing yards allowed by the Colonels since the 2021 opener at Memphis.
Minnesota 66, Northwestern State 0
The fast start Northwestern State enjoyed in its opener flipped the other way in Week 2. The Demons’ first trip to face a Big Ten opponent saw Minnesota score on the first play from scrimmage and ride that momentum to a 66-0 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium. The game ended with 6:15 remaining due to a combination of a looming weather delay and Northwestern’s travel schedule.
No. 14/19 Florida State 77, East Texas A&M 3
Playing in front of 65,430 at Doak Campbell Stadium, East Texas A&M fell 77-3 to No. 14/19 Florida State on Saturday afternoon. The Lions have now faced back-to-back nationally ranked FBS opponents from the ACC, while the Seminoles improved to 2-0 with wins over No. 8 Alabama and ETAM. The Lions’ lone points came on a 21-yard field goal by Ozlo Rigby to cap a seven-play, 49-yard drive. Florida State outgained ETAM, 729-197.
Week 3 Games