Southland Week 4: Conference Battles and FBS Opportunities

Week 3 from the Southland produced a money win, plus other teams getting on the winning side of things in conference play, and a streak that continues after a thrilling contest. UTRGV will be on a bye week.

15 Lamar (2-1) at Nicholls (2-2, 1-0 SLC) 3:00 p.m.

Fresh off a bye week, the Cardinals return to action to open their Southland Conference schedule on the road to Nicholls. Ahead of their game, head coach Pete Rossomandostated, “It feels good to be back in a game week because we are getting some guys back from knocks and bumps, plus we are entering a critical time of our schedule where each game counts so much more because this conference can be so demanding that anyone can beat anyone.” The Cardinals already have a key road win over Idaho before their bye week and look to open conference play with another road win.

The Colonels took a heavy road loss in their last outing against Sam Houston. But fortune favors the brave, Nicholls has earned a few key wins at home over ranked opponents over the last several seasons. Additionally, the Colonels are 5-2 against Lamar in Thibodeaux. Could this be a game that can be on upset watch? The numbers do tell something of a story. “We were able to see some different things from a depth point of view, but with quality opponents you cannot give them short fields and be a little more protective of the ball,” said head coach Tommy Rybacki during an interview. “We continue with conference play, and it will not get any easier going forward because Lamar has an experienced team and they get on it.”

UIW (2-1, 1-0 SLC) at Texas State (1-2) 5:00 p.m.

Incarnate Word needed overtime last week to overcome Houston Christian 30-23 in SanAntonio for their first conference win of the season. Emmett Brown had 279 total yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. “There are some special relationships over there with that coaching staff; they have developed themselves into a team that can stretch you while playing defensively with that quarterback that is a dual threat.” Clint Killough said when asked about playing Texas State on the road this week. "They have done things really well, but their record is not the type of team they are. Defensively, they are similar to what we run, so there is a point, but more importantly, we have to stop putting the ball on the turf; otherwise, we are in trouble.”

Texas State defeated in-state rival North Texas 49-35 last week to earn its first win of the season. Now they turn to their final non-conference game as they host Incarnate Word before opening PAC-12 conference play. The Bobcats have a balanced offense that can stretch the field on the run or through the air. Brad Jackson and Torrance Burgess Jr. have over 900 combined yards as the Bobcats look to contain Incarnate Word.

Northeastern State (3-1) at 10 SFA (4-0, 2-0 SLC) 5:00 p.m.

The Lumberjacks took care of business on the road and defeated Prairie View A&M 31-10. Quarterback Gavin Rutherford threw for three touchdowns and 213 yards. “I felt we did some things well, but it is still a work in progress; anytime you can win on the road like this, we will take it.” Head coach Colby Carthel said after the game. “We have one more tune-up at home before playing our conference schedule. Northeastern State is a good program that is on the rise, and they play really well.”

The Riverhawks of Northeastern State are located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and play in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in NCAA Division II. They have been members of the conference since the 2012-13 season. Quarterback Donnie Smithhas thrown for over 1,100 yards for the season with 9 touchdowns.

East Texas A&M (1-3, 1-1 SLC) at McNeese (1-3, 0-2 SLC)

6:00 p.m.

Playing as the road team has not boded well for either the Lions or the Cowboys this season, as both took losses in their last contest.

For East Texas A&M, they went on the road to face an FBS opponent in Tulsa and were shut out 42-0. “We had some opportunities inside the red zone where we could have extended drives, but we put different things, and I was pleased, but we should have had one or two of those to give ourselves a chance.” Clint Dolzel said, “We have to simplify things on both sides of the ball because McNeese has played quality opponents at home and nearly got results because of it.”

On the other hand, McNeese dropped their road opener against UTRGV in conference play 27-10. Devin Lippold had 186 yards of total offense with a touchdown that came early in the fourth quarter of the game. “We did not play well enough to win out there, and there is a reason why UTRGV is 9-0 at home. We were able to contain a few things, but overall, we need to do better,” said Matt Viator. “We will start Jake Strong this week; Lippold went down with a knock, so we will be precautionary with him. East Texas A&M has played different quarterbacks this season, and they have a good team, so I expect a dogfight here at home.”

SLU (2-2, 0-1 SLC) at Northwestern State (0-4, 0-1 SLC) 6:00 p.m.

The Demons and Lions both need a conference win to boost morale a bit in order to keep pace with the rest of the Southland Conference.

Southeastern Louisiana is entering back into conference play on a high after scalping the conference's first FBS win since 2022, when Incarnate Word went on the road to defeat the Nevada Wolfpack. The Lions went on the road and defeated ULM Warhawks38-35 in Monroe. Dhkai Joseph had 153 all-purpose yards, while Kyle Lowe threw for155 yards and two touchdowns. The victory for Southeastern was the first win over an FBS opponent in 36 tries. “We did a lot of good things in all three phases; our special teams play showed out, and we were able to win the turnover battle as well, head coach Frank Scelfo said. “Northwestern State is still trying to find its identity, but they are a well-coached club. I know they have played two different quarterbacks, so we need to be prepared for that.”

The Demons played their last non-conference game on the road and lost to Weber State 49-20. Quarterback Zach Wilcke completed 26 passes for 291 yards and 3touchdowns in the effort. "For three quarters I think we played about as good as we've played since we've been here, but you've got to play four," head coach Blaine McCorklesaid. "And usually when you say that it's the fourth quarter, but tonight it was the first. We spotted them 21 right off the bat with some bad special teams.” When asked about Southeastern and returning home, McCorkle added, “It is nice to be back home, but they are a quality side right now that is finding their groove after two straight wins and well coached by a great veteran leader.”

Houston Christian (2-2, 1-1 SLC) at North Texas (1-2) 6:30 p.m.

The Huskies suffered an overtime loss on the road versus Incarnate Word, 30-23 in SanAntonio. The Huskies have not been able to beat the Cardinals since joining the Southland Conference. Houston Christian is closing out their non-conference portion of the schedule with a trip to Denton, Texas, to face North Texas. “We saw some good things, but we failed to finish the job in regulation when we had opportunities to do so.” Huskies head coach Jason Bachtel said. “Now we turn the page to face a great opponent that plays really well at home, and we need to protect the ball to give ourselves a chance.”

Just like the Huskies, North Texas is also closing out the non-conference schedule with a home game in order to pay attention to the American Conference. In their last outing, the Mean Green took a loss on the road versus Texas State, 49-35 in San Marcos. The last time both teams faced each other was in 2020, when North Texas escaped with a57-31 victory in Denton. North Texas has a home win on their schedule when they defeated UNLV 44-6.