FRISCO, Texas — On the final day of October, the Southland's top teams flexed their muscles and reminded
No. 15/13 Lamar 53, UTRGV 23
A Bryce McDonald pick-six on the first play from scrimmage set the tone for what would be a lopsided victory in The Valley. Aiden McCown added another score on a quarterback run on the ensuing possession, making the lead 14-3 with 4:15 left in the first. The Cardinals would take a 21-9 lead into halftime and added seven more points right out of the gate as Blake Thomas returned the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a touchdown. He would add two more touchdowns in the third with the final of these coming with 16 seconds to go in that period to push the lead out to a 42-9 margin. This marked UTRGV's first loss at home since the inception of the program last year.
LU Next: SFA, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
SLU Next: @Northwestern State, Nov. 7, 1 p.m.
No. 2 SFA 37, HCU 6
SFA's frightening defense matched the theme of the Halloween festivities, overwhelming HCU to remain undefeated on the season. The 'Jacks totaled eight sacks, 14 tackles for loss and 10 passes defended. The offense picked up where it left off as well with Jaylen Jenkins rumbling into the end zone to give SFA a 7-0 lead in the first. Gavin Rutherford would engineer their second score, floating a 35-yard touchdown pass to Clayton Wayland, making the difference 14-3. SFA got a special teams boost from star receiver Bugs Mortimer whos 66-yard punt return touchdown blew open the lead to a 24-3 margin. Makai Frisby punctuated the win with a pick-six in the fourth, giving the 'Jacks a touchdown from all three sides of the ball. The win sets up the biggest win of SFA's season and the SLC season to date as the 'Jacks head to Beaumont next week with a chance to clinch a share of the regular season against Lamar.
SFA Next: @Lamar, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
HCU Next: McNeese, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.
East Texas A&M 10, Southeastern 7
East Texas A&M played spoiler in a defensive battle that was a must-win for Southeastern. The home Lions forced four turnovers out of the visitors, shutting out Southeastern after a first quarter punt return touchdown by Dkhai Joseph. Quay Middlebrooks had an answer for East Texas A&M in the second, taking a 35-yard run to the end zone for the game-tying touchdown. The score remained even until 1:55 was left on the clock in the fourth when Ozlo Rigby drilled the game-winning field goal from 49 yards out. Drew Talley had a chance to match that kick for Southeastern but his try went right of the uprights as time expired.
ETAMU Next: @Nicholls, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
SLU Next: UIW, Nov. 7, 6 p.m.
UIW 66, Northwestern State 14
The Cardinals turned in their most dominant performance of their three-game homestand, putting up 28 points in the first quarter in what turned into a runaway victory. UIW totaled 566 yards of offense, counting 399 of those from the air. However, Jayden Hibbler was a force on the ground, scoring three touchdowns and rushing for 102 yards in the contest. The Cardinals' resurgence has them in the thick of at-large contention heading into the final month of the season with a a critical matchup at Southeastern on the horizon.
UIW Next: @Southeastern, Nov. 7, 6 p.m.
NSU Next: UTRGV, Nov. 7, 1 p.m.
McNeese 16, Nicholls 3
McNeese got back into the win column, besting Nicholls despite the ugly weather Saturday afternoon in Lake Charles. However, those conditions played into the benefit of the Pokes in the third quarter when Amyrion Mingo returned a muffed field goal attempt 70-yards for a touchdown, making a 7-3 lead for McNeese a 13-3 advantage. The win snapped a four-game losing streak to Nicholls and moved the Cowboys back to a .500 mark in SLC play.
MCN Next: @HCU, Nov. 7, 4 p.m.
NSU Next: UTRGV, Nov. 7, 1 p.m.
Week 10 Outlook