Wildcats Take on Lobos in ASC Action

9/29/2017 12:19:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information

GAME NOTES
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A heartbreaking 37-34 loss to Southwestern University last week that included two critical fourth quarter turnovers has the Louisiana College football team behind the eight ball in the 2017 American Southwest Conference race. The Wildcats, now 1-2 on the season and 0-2 on league play, take on a program on the rise this week as they host the Sul Ross State University Lobos at Wildcat Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm Saturday night under the lights.

It was a tale of two halves for the Wildcats against Southwestern last week. The Pirates controlled play, and the ball, for the majority of the first two quarters taking a 24-10 advantage into the half. LC made some adjustments on defense and scored 17 consecutive points to take the lead away from the Pirates on a field goal early in the fourth quarter. A key defensive stop after taking the lead gave LC the ball back, but an interception on the first play of the drive put the ball back in the Pirates hands for a game tying field goal. A fumble on the ensuing kickoff and a touchdown pass one play later, and SU was back on top. While LC was able to tie the game on a long touchdown pass later in the quarter, they left just enough time on the clock for SU to take the ball down the field for a game-winning field goal with 42 seconds left on the clock.

The Wildcats had their best game to date on offense, going over 500 yards of total offense for the first time this year, but the run based attack of Southwestern, who held the ball for over 40 minutes of the game, put added pressure on the LC defense, who allowed more than 600 yards to their opponents for the second consecutive game. The Wildcats currently rank fifth in the ASC in total offense and third in scoring, averaging 424.3 yards and 34.3 points per game, but last in the conference in total defense, giving up 561.7 yards per game to their opponents.

Last week Sul Ross had an easy go of it as they cruised to a 35-7 victory over McMurry University. The Lobos' quarterback James Davis was 10-of-18 passing for 109 yards and a touchdown and added another 131 yards on the ground on 14 carries. The offense raked up almost 500 yards against the War Hawks while the defense held them to just 136 total yards in the game. SRSU is averaging 29.7 points per game, and ranks eighth in the conference in total offense at 367.0 yards per game. The strength of the team this year has been their defense, ranking third in the ASC allowing just 290.0 yards per game, one of just three teams in the conference allowing less than 300 yards of offense to their opponents, along with national ranked Hardin-Simmons (201.0) and Mary Hardin-Baylor (156.3).

This will be the 18th meeting between the two schools on the football field, with LC holding a 14-3 overall record against the Lobos. The Wildcats 12-game winning streak over Sul Ross was ended in last year's matchup in Alpine, as the Lobos edged LC 21-14. The only other losses the Wildcats have suffered at the Lobos hands came in their first ever meeting in 2000, the same year LC relaunched their football program, a 42-11 Lobo win, and four years later at 48-41.

The parking lot between the stadium and Cottingham Hall is reserved for season ticket holders, LC Board of Visitor members, and LC trustees. General parking is available throughout campus on a first come, first serve basis. Gates open one hour before kickoff and general admission tickets are available for $10 or $8 for non-LC students, children 12 and under get in for free. Reserved chair back seats are also available for purchase at the gate for $25.

Saturday's game will be live streamed under the supervision of Mr. Jeff Young by students in the Louisiana College Convergence Media Department. The game can also be heard live on 104.3 FM "The Bridge" with the voice of the Wildcats Rich Dupree, along with Doug Gann and Al Quartemont. Pregame coverage begins at 6:30 pm.

QUOTES FROM COACH JUSTIN CHARLES

ON SUL ROSS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OVER RECENT YEARS: Last year was the first year that Sul Ross had beaten us in quite a while, but it was coming. Those guys have been well prepared, their coaching staff is great, I know those guys personally and they do a great job of preparing them day in and day out. Right now they're playing with a lot of confidence, and that makes for a tough opponent. When you're playing against confidence, momentum, and preparation, which their staff does daily, their a great football team.

ON SUL ROSS OFFENSE/DEFENSE: They're big and physical, but we feel we match up pretty well with them as far as their style offense. They're a pro style offense and their defense is very physical , they're a violent type defense that are going to be physical with you with their hands and their bodies and they're going to hit you hard.

ON DEALING WITH DUAL THREAT QB: Those are the hardest guys to prepare for because you try to stop what they do best and the next thing you know they can do something even better. James is a great quarterback, he's been in this conference for several years now, he's well versed on what he needs to get done and doesn't try to force things. He does exactly what he's coached to do, makes the simple throw and he has a really good receiver by the name of Byron Jones who's a burner, very quick, he's made a lot of great catches and he may be one of the best receivers in the conference if not the best. We're going to be prepared for these guys, we know what they have but the quarterback can definitely do some things with his arm and everything in between.

AROUND THE ASC

THIS WEEK'S GAMES
Texas Lutheran at McMurry - Abilene, TX - 1pm
#1 Mary Hardin-Baylor at Southwestern - Georgetown, TX - 6pm
Sul Ross State at Louisiana College - Pineville, LA - 7pm
Howard Payne at Belhaven - Jackson, MS - 7pm
#6 Hardin-Simmons at East Texas Baptist - Marshall, TX - 7pm

WEEK 3 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Hunter McEachern, QB, So., Belhaven
Belhaven sophomore quarterback Hunter McEachern (Keller, Texas / UTEP) tied his own school record with six touchdown passes. He was 33-for-51 passing for 495 yards and completed passes to 13 different receivers in the Blazers' 79-40 loss to East Texas Baptist.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Zack Roberson, DL, Sr., Sul Ross State
Sul Ross State senior defensive lineman Zack Roberson (Houston, Texas / Cypress Ridge HS) posted a team-high 12 tackles – 10 solo – in the Lobos' 35-7 victory against McMurry. He also recorded a sack for a yard loss and four tackles for a loss of seven.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Luke Fierst, K, So., Southwestern
Southwestern sophomore kicker Luke Fierst (Kerrville, Texas / Tivy HS) hit the game-winning field goal of 36 yards with 42 seconds to play in the Pirates' 37-34 win at Louisiana College. He went 3-for-4 on field goal attempts, connecting for 20 yards and 19 yards as well, and was 4-for-4 on PATs.

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