STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton football team will head to Livingston, Ala. Saturday, Sept. 10 to take on the Tigers of West Alabama at 6 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams, who both enter the game with 0-1 records.
LAST WEEK
Tarleton fell to No. 4 Abilene Christian in their season opener last Thursday 27-24 as a last second pass attempt to win the game was intercepted in the end zone, sealing the Texans fate. West Alabama on the other hand fell to in-state foe South Alabama by a score of 20-10 in Mobile, Ala. on Thursday.
TARLETON
WELCOME TO THE AIR RAID
Tarleton unveiled their new offensive scheme last week against Abilene Christian when they introduced the “air raid” offense. Despite the loss, the Texans' new game plan worked as designed with senior quarterback Nick Stephens throwing for 339 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-44 passing. He also distributed the ball well, hooking up with 10 different receivers.
The last time a Tarleton quarterback threw for over 300 yards was Stephens against Angelo State on Oct. 2 last season, when he compiled 392 yards through the air.
The Texans also had their first receiver record a hundred yard game since Oct. 30th last year. Freshman Clifton Rhodes had a breakout game with five catches for 107 yards including two clutch receptions on Tarleton's final drive of the game.
GROUND AND POUND
The running game is supposed to be complementary to the air raid offense, and the Texans did not shy away from it in the first game. Tarleton had 34 rushing attempts from five different backs for a total of 117 yards. Senior Evan Robertson led the way with 14 rushes and 61 yards. Sophomore Brandon Lowery added seven carries and 33 yards, but also rushed for two scores.
GO-TO GUY
Lowery was all-over the field for the Texans, and was effective in a number of ways. The Sasche native rushed for two touchdowns, caught three passes for 40 yards and a touchdown, and had two kick-off returns for 76 yards total. Lowery finished the game with 149 all-purpose yards, the most between the two teams.
PHILLIPS' ISLAND
Sophomore cornerback Dashaun Phillips picked off two passes from Lone Star Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Mitchell Gale in Tarleton's loss to the Wildcats, including one in the red zone. Phillips led the Texans last season with three picks, and now has five in his career.
HOLDING OFF WHITESIDE
The Tarleton offensive line is very young and inexperienced, but they managed to somewhat stifle the LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, Aston Whiteside. Whiteside, a defensive end, was held to just five tackles and one sack, which is minimal for what he is capable of and has done in the past.
WEST ALABAMA
SOUTHERN COOKING
West Alabama fell to South Alabama last weekend, but still managed to rack up decent statistical numbers. The Tigers compiled 167 yards on the ground and 101 yards through the air. Defensively, they held South Alabama to 205 yards on the ground and 151 yards passing, but also recorded three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
THE JOHNSTON EFFECT
Tiger quarterback Gary Johnston rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on 22 careers last Thursday as part of a dual-threat game plan for the junior signal caller. He also racked up 101 yards on 10-of-22 passing through the air. Johnston took part in 64 percent of West Alabama's plays and was responsible for 65 percent of their yards.
TURNOVER MARGIN
The Tigers recorded three interceptions and forced three fumbles (one recovered) last weekend against the Jaguars while only giving up two picks. Otha Foster played a big part in that with two interceptions to go along with six tackles and two pass deflections.
Fans can follow along with the game courtesy of the
live radio feed by KSTV 93.1 FM and
live stats courtesy West Alabama's website.
For post-game reports and more information regarding the 2011 Tarleton football season, check back at TarletonSports.com.
