Southland Conference Week 1 Recap: SFA Rolls, FBS Matchups Take Their Toll

UTRGV 16 (1-1) at UTSA 45 (1-0)

San Antonio, Texas — The Vaqueros experienced plenty of firsts in their first-ever matchup against an FBS opponent as they traveled to face UTSA.

From coaches and players who played a part in UTSA's history to players from the San Antonio area returning home, the matchup provided a unique experience for UTRGV.

UTSA opened the scoring with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Owen McCown to AJ Wilson in the first quarter. The Roadrunners then dominated the second quarter, scoring 24 points to take a 31-6 lead into halftime.

UTSA's Ahamad Chapman returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown, while Will Henderson added a 75-yard rushing score.

UTRGV managed three field goals from Brysen Gardner before Atzel Chavez scored on a 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

McCown completed 22-of-27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.

UTSA also rushed for more than 250 yards, led by Henderson and A'Marion Peterson, with both finding the end zone.

Despite the loss, UTRGV finished with 422 yards of total offense in its first test against an FBS opponent.

Southeastern Louisiana 14 (0-2) at South Alabama 39 (1-0)

Mobile, Alabama — South Alabama turned in a balanced offensive performance to defeat Southeastern Louisiana at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

The Jaguars struck first when Bishop Davenport connected with Brendan Jenkins for a touchdown, setting the tone early.

Kicker Davis Little added field goals, while South Alabama also recorded a safety to build a comfortable advantage. Trea'von Dunbar added a rushing touchdown before Southeastern Louisiana answered with a touchdown pass from Kyle Lowe to Lonnie Shinn Jr.

The Lions found the end zone again in the third quarter when Lowe connected with Shinn for a second touchdown.

South Alabama, however, continued to pull away behind another field goal from Little and a touchdown run from Davenport.

PJ Martin capped the Jaguars' scoring with a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown to seal the victory.

Nicholls 3 (1-1) at Kansas State 71 (1-0)

Manhattan, Kansas — Kansas State overwhelmed Nicholls with a dominant offensive performance, rolling to a 71-3 victory at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

The Wildcats wasted little time taking control, scoring three touchdowns in the first quarter, including a touchdown pass from Avery Johnson to Jaron Tibbs and a punt-return touchdown by Brandon White.

Kansas State kept the pressure on in the second quarter, adding rushing touchdowns from Rodney Fields Jr. and another touchdown pass from Johnson to Joe Jackson.

Nicholls got on the board with a Kingston Phan field goal, but the Wildcats quickly answered and carried their momentum into halftime.

Johnson continued to lead the attack in the third quarter, connecting with Josh Manning for a touchdown before Jackson and Jay Harris added rushing scores.

Kansas State's ground game remained relentless in the fourth quarter, with Monterrio Elston Jr. and Jacob Knuth each finding the end zone.

The Wildcats' ability to score through the air, on the ground and on special teams made it a one-sided contest from start to finish.

Houston Christian 3 (1-1, 1-0 SLC) at Rice 31 (1-0)

Houston, Texas — Rice took control early and never looked back, defeating Houston Christian behind a dominant rushing attack at Rice Stadium.

Houston Christian actually struck first when Lukasz Smolen drilled a field goal in the opening quarter, but the lead was short-lived.

Rice responded with a rushing touchdown from D'Andre Hardeman, giving the Owls momentum and a lead they would not surrender.

Rice continued to impose its will on the ground in the second quarter as Quinton Jackson powered his way into the end zone for another rushing touchdown. Enock Gota added a field goal later in the quarter, extending the Owls' advantage and putting Houston Christian in an increasingly difficult position.

After the break, Rice remained in control and continued leaning on its rushing attack to wear down the Huskies.

Jackson found the end zone again in the fourth quarter for his second rushing touchdown of the game before Gael Ochoa capped Rice's scoring with another touchdown on the ground.

Houston Christian was unable to generate enough offense to mount a comeback as Rice's defense and ground game kept the Huskies from finding a rhythm.

Northwestern State 6 (0-2) at Louisiana Tech 80 (1-0)

Ruston, Louisiana — Louisiana Tech dominated Northwestern State from nearly start to finish, rolling to an 80-6 victory at Joe Aillet Stadium.

Northwestern State got on the board first with a field goal from Payne Williams III, but the Bulldogs quickly took control and never looked back.

Louisiana Tech scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, including touchdown receptions by Jalen Mickens, Jay Wilkerson and Talyn Shettron.

The Bulldogs continued their offensive onslaught in the second quarter, adding five more touchdowns to take a commanding lead into halftime.

Louisiana Tech scored in seemingly every way possible, including rushing touchdowns from Dylone Brooks, Shettron, Sergio Snider and Jaden Miller, along with a punt-return touchdown from Dedrick Latulas.

The Bulldogs added two more touchdowns in the third quarter, with Luke Watkins and Latulas finding the end zone.

Louisiana Tech capped the scoring with a fourth-quarter field goal from Hunter Rioux, while Northwestern State added a late field goal from Williams.

It was a historically lopsided night in Ruston and one Northwestern State will be eager to put behind it.

Lamar 7 (1-1) at Louisiana 38 (1-0)

Lafayette, Louisiana — Louisiana established control early and used a punishing ground attack to cruise past Lamar.

Darrell Smith found the end zone on a rushing touchdown in the first quarter before striking again in the second.

Anthony Reagan Jr. and Lunch Winfield each added rushing touchdowns, giving the Ragin' Cajuns a commanding advantage heading into halftime.

Steven Blanco continued Louisiana's scoring surge in the third quarter with another rushing touchdown, capping a dominant stretch on the ground.

Lamar finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when Lanar Kelley returned an interception for a touchdown, providing the Cardinals with a defensive spark.

Louisiana answered with a Tony Sterner field goal late in the fourth quarter to finish off the 38-7 victory.

Texas Wesleyan 0 (0-2) at McNeese 52 (1-1, 0-1 SLC)

Lake Charles, Louisiana — McNeese turned in a dominant performance Saturday night, rolling past Texas Wesleyan 52-0 at Navarre Stadium behind an explosive offense and stifling defense.

The Cowboys scored in every quarter and built a 24-0 halftime advantage before pulling away in the second half.

McNeese finished with 500 yards of total offense, including 220 rushing yards and 280 through the air, while Texas Wesleyan managed just 187 total yards.

Quarterback Devin Lippold led the way through the air, completing 15-of-20 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

Brady Barrier added 81 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-9 passing.

Elisha Edwards was Lippold's top target, catching five passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Curtis Deville Jr., Wyatt Fontenot and Solo Lewis also caught touchdown passes for the Cowboys.

McNeese established control early when Lippold connected with Lewis on a 22-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

The Cowboys added three scores in the second quarter, including a 70-yard blocked field-goal return by Safir Stills-Bey, a 10-yard touchdown pass to Deville and a 41-yard field goal from Deaglan Camron.

McNeese continued its offensive surge after halftime, with Edwards catching two touchdown passes in the third quarter.

Fontenot added a 46-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter before Marquez Davis capped the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run.

Davis led McNeese's rushing attack with 67 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Hutch Swilley added 58 yards on seven attempts.

As a team, McNeese averaged 5.9 yards per rushing attempt.

After dropping its season opener to Stephen F. Austin, this was exactly the kind of response the Cowboys needed.

East Texas A&M 7 (0-2, 0-1 SLC) at Stephen F. Austin 44 (2-0, 2-0 SLC)

Nacogdoches, Texas — Stephen F. Austin turned in another dominant performance Saturday, rolling past East Texas A&M, 44-7, at Homer Bryce Stadium.

The Lumberjacks wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, with JT Kitna scoring on a rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

East Texas A&M answered with a touchdown pass from Eric Rodriguez to Andrez Lewis, but it would be the Lions' only score of the night.

SFA regained control in the second quarter behind two rushing touchdowns from Gavin Rutherford and a field goal by Carlos Alvarado.

Jaylen Jenkins added another rushing touchdown in the third quarter as the Lumberjacks continued to pull away.

Alvarado remained perfect on his field-goal attempts, adding three kicks to his scoring total.

SFA capped the victory with a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Brysen Broadway to Cannon Lemberg, completing a convincing performance from start to finish.

The Lumberjacks are now 2-0 overall and, more importantly, 2-0 in Southland Conference play after opening the season with consecutive league victories over McNeese and East Texas A&M.

Through two weeks, SFA has established itself as the team everyone else in the Southland is chasing.