LSC takes hit in first full week

It was a tough first full week for Lone Star Conference football teams.

The LSC went just 2-9 against outside competition, including Eastern New Mexico University’s come-from-behind 18-17 win at Adams State. The only other winner was Central Oklahoma, which roared to a 21-0 lead on its first three possessions and routed Mesa State 42-16 at Edmond, Okla.

Meantime, Southwestern Oklahoma picked up a non-conference win over fellow LSC member West Texas A&M, winning 30-14 at Weatherford, Okla. Three conference teams played a week earlier, with Midwestern State and West Texas A&M winning while East Central lost to Division I-AA Southwest Missouri State 48-0.

Central Oklahoma drove the opening kickoff 67 yards for a touchdown against Mesa, then surprised the Mavericks with an onside kick which the Bronchos recovered near midfield.

UCO compiled 372 total yards, led by tailback Jarrod Manoy with 28 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Meantime, the defense limited the Mavericks to 246 yards.

The conference has already faced Arkansas-based members of the Gulf South Conference six times, and lost all six. In addition, the league has gone 0-4 against Division I-AA competition.

In other action last week involving South Division teams:

• Southwestern used two second-half touchdowns to pull away from WT. The Bulldogs piled up 448 total yards, including 73 rushing and 278 passing on 15 of 24 for quarterback Reade Box, while holding the Buffaloes to just 247 yards.

• Arkansas-Monticello quarterback Cory Allred threw for a Memorial Stadium record 414 yards in leading the Boll Weevils past host Texas A&M-Commerce 33-29.

• Division I-AA Sam Houston State ran off 20 consecutive second-half points to hand Midwestern State a 30-9 loss at Huntsville, Texas.

• Texas A&M-Kingsville drove 81 yards to score on its opening drive, but I-AA host Portland State quickly grabbed control and pulled away to a 34-21 victory in a Thursday night game.

• Also on Thursday, Abilene Christian was held scoreless until Shawn Taylor returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown with less than 11 minutes left in a 30-12 loss at Central Arkansas. The Wildcats held the Bears to 314 total yards, but mustered only 261 yards themselves in losing their fifth consecutive season opener.

• Angelo State dropped a 42-7 decision to I-AA Texas State-San Marcos (formerly Southwest Texas State), which had been beaten 72-8 the week before at New Mexico. Frenchy McCrea rushed for 87 yards and James Williamson had a pair of pass interceptions for the Rams.

In other North Division outings, Tarleton State lost at home to Southern Arkansas 27-24 on Thursday, while in Saturday contests it was Harding over East Central 22-19, Arkansas Tech over Northeastern State 31-20 and Ouachita Baptist over Southeastern Oklahoma 30-27 in three overtimes.