The Teams: No. 13 Tarleton State Texans (10-3, 6-2 UAC) at No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (9-2, 7-1 MVFC)
Where: Vermillion, South Dakota
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (9,100)
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (Ted Emrich, Barrett Brooks)
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network on 90.5 FM (Byron Anderson, Kyle Masters, Keltin Wiens, Ty Walker)
 
TEXAN FOOTBALL GAME DAY
The Texans will take their upset bid to Vermillion, South Dakota, to take on a top-five ranked team in the nation, No. 4 South Dakota, in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
 
Tarleton's game, set for 2 p.m. CT, will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Ted Emrich and Barrett Brooks on the call. The game can be heard on Tarleton Sports Network at 90.5 FM in Stephenville and surrounding areas, with Byron Anderson, Kyle Masters, Keltin Wiens and Ty Walker leading the broadcast.
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the first all-time meeting, and Tarleton's first game against a team from South Dakota.
• USD clinched a share of the MVFC title for the first time in program history. Key games include a 29-28 W vs. NDSU, a 42-13 W vs. Southern Illinois, a 42-3 W vs. Drake, and a 20-17 OT loss at SDSU.
• Bob Nielson was named MVFC COY, and Mi'Quise Grace DPOY.
• USD is an undefeated 6-0 at home this year, its last loss at the The DakotaDome in last year's FCS Playoffs quarterfinals to NDSU 45-17.
• Nationally, USD is No. 2 in scoring defense (14.9 PPG), No. 4 in scoring offense (37.0 PPG), and No. 6 in rushing offense (224.3 YPG).

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans are the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990.
• Among the active 129 FCS programs, Tarleton is one of 38 to win its FCS Playoff debut.
• Saturday marks Game No. 14 for the Texans on Dec. 7. The 14th game will set a new program record for games played in a season for Tarleton State, and will be the latest game Tarleton has ever played in a calendar year.
• Tarleton has played in 21 postseason games, sitting at 10-11 overall (8-9 in playoffs, 2-2 in bowl games).
• Tarleton just won its 10th game of the season, the sixth time in program history the Texans have reached double-digit wins. Todd Whitten has been the head coach for four of those seasons.
• Tarleton is one of 16 teams remaining in the playoffs, and one of two UAC teams (Abilene Christian). The Texans last advanced to a playoff quarterfinal in 2018, where they lost at No. 1 Minnesota State-Mankato 13-10.
• Kayvon Britten just became the fifth player in program history to reach 3,000 career rushing yards at Tarleton. He's only 104 yards rushing short of 2,000 on the season, a milestone no FCS player has reached since 2015.

 
A HISTORIC SEASON
The longest regular season in program history has turned into the longest season overall for Tarleton State Football as the Texans completed the near impossible this past weekend – win their FCS Playoff debut in their first season eligible. The Texans became the fifth team in the history of the FCS Playoffs (Division I-AA Playoffs), which goes back 46 years, to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II. Two of those five teams comprised of the four-team playoff field in that initial round of the FCS Playoffs – Florida A&M and UMass, in 1978. The other two programs are currently in the FBS; Troy in 1993 and UCF in 1990.
 
The Texans earned the No. 13 seed in the FCS Playoffs among the 24-team field across 129 FCS programs this season in just their first year of championship eligibility after a nearly unprecedented run during reclassification. They had become just the first team fresh off of reclassification to make the playoffs since 2009 (South Dakota State), and they got to host Drake at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville this past Saturday. The Texans dispatched the Bulldogs 43-29 to win their playoff debut, improving to 10-3 overall this season.
 
Among the 129 active FCS programs, Tarleton State is already one of just 69 to earn an FCS Playoff victory. Of those 69, Tarleton is one of just 38 to win their playoff debut. And of the 38, Tarleton is the only team outside of the FCS Playoffs' inaugural season in 1978 to win their FCS Playoff debut in their first year eligible after reclassifying up (Florida A&M). Colgate and Indiana State also won their playoff debut in their first year at the FCS level, moving from FBS in 1982.
 
Among all FCS Playoff teams across the 46-year history, Tarleton is one of 94 programs ever to earn a playoff win. Of those 94, Tarleton is one of just 54 to win their playoff debut. And of those 54, Tarleton is one of just five to win their first playoff game at the FCS level in their first year eligible after reclassifying from NCAA Division II, and the first since Troy in 1993. Louisiana Tech also won their FCS Playoff debut in its first year eligible, but moved from FBS to FCS.
Tarleton State Football now faces No. 4 South Dakota in the second round of the FCS Playoffs on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT. Since at least 1975 when dates started being recorded by Tarleton, Dec. 7 marks the latest game the Texans will have ever played a game. The game will also be No. 14 on the season for Tarleton State, the most the Texans will have ever played in a single-season.
 
PLAYOFFS!
The Texans made their return to the playoffs this past Saturday, and after a slow start, cruised late to a victory over Drake 43-29. This was Tarleton's first playoff victory since 2018, as they're making their first playoff appearance since 2019. At the end of their D2 days, Tarleton played in the postseason three straight years (playoffs in 2019 and 2018, bowl game in 2017). The Texans are now 3-2 over their past five playoff games, advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 2018. Since the last time the Texans were in the playoffs, just one player remains -- tight end Kyle Weber, who was on the practice squad as a true freshman. Several members of the coaching staff remain, however, including head coach Todd Whitten, co-offensive coordinator Scott Carey, special teams coordinator Michael Walton and wide receivers coach Tate Whitten.
 
This is the sixth time head coach Todd Whitten has led the Texans to the postseason. Whitten is 4-4 in the playoffs at Tarleton, 4-5 in postseason play (a bowl loss), with a 3-1 home playoff record at Memorial Stadium.
 
Saturday's game marks the closest Tarleton has played to South Dakota location wise since 2001, when the Texans made their NCAA playoff debut at Chadron State and upset the team from northern Nebraska 28-24 in the D2 playoffs. The following week, Tarleton traveled west to face UC Davis, where they lost 42-25. This year, the other two teams in the same region are No. 5 UC Davis and No. 12 Illinois State, meaning with a Texan win, there is a good chance they'd travel to face UC Davis next week. Whitten was the head coach of that 2001 team, as well.
 
Besides 2001, Tarleton also has recent history in the playoffs up north, falling 13-10 at No. 1 Minnesota State-Mankato on Dec. 1, 2018. That was a snow game.
 
IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Several Tarleton players have either set records this season, or can this Saturday...
Kayvon Britten:
- At 19, is three touchdowns away from the most non-passing TD's scored in a single-season in program history (22 three times, last by Zimari Manning in 2019). Britten is also four touchdowns shy of the most career non-passing touchdowns scored in program history (40 by Roderick Smith, 2007-10).
- Became the fifth player in program history to reach 3,000 career rushing yards this past Saturday, now at 3,046. He's 26 yards behind fourth place (Derrick Ross, 2004-05), 137 behind third (Roderick Smith, 2006-09), 170 behind second (Daniel McCants with 3,216 in 2015-18), and 343 behind first (Ricky Bush with 3,389 in 1979-82).
- Has set a new single-season program rushing record, now at 1,896 rushing yards, surpassing Derrick Ross' 1,560 in 2004. With 104 yards rushing on Saturday, he will become the first FCS player since 2015 (Lamar's Kade Harrington) to reach the 2,000-yard rushing milestone.
- Has set a new single-season rushing attempt program record, now at 316 rushing attempts, surpassing Derrick Ross' 254 in 2004.
- Set a single-game rushing yard program record on Sept. 21 at North Alabama with 273, surpassing Derrick Ross' 269 rushing yards vs. Western New Mexico on Sept. 10, 2005.
- Tied a single-game touchdown scoring program record on Sept. 21 at North Alabama with four.
- Has set a new program record for 100+ yard rushing games in a Texan player's career at 15, surpassing Roderick Smith's 14 across 2006-09.
- Is one of three in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons (Derrick Ross, Daniel McCants).
 
Darius Cooper:
- Just set a new program playoff record in single-game receiving yards with 190, surpassing Jahmeel Hobson's 188 vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville on Nov. 14, 2009.
- Has set a new program record in career receiving yards, now at 3,024 career receiving yards, surpassing Clifton Rhodes III's 2,757 from 2011-14.
- Has become the second player in program history to have multiple seasons with 1,000 receiving yards (Devin Guinn, 2007 and 2009).
- Has set new program record for 100+ yard receiving games in a Texan player's career at 13, surpassing Zimari Manning's 12 in 2018-19.
- At 26 career receiving touchdowns, Cooper is tied-third with Devin Guinn (2006-09); in second is Le'Nard Meyers (2012-15) at 27, and in first is Zimari Manning (2018-19) at 34.
 
Deangelo Rosemond:
- Is third in program career kick return yards ranks at 1,222. In second sits Daniel McCants at 1,593 (2015-19).
 
WALTER PAYTON AWARD FINALIST
Tarleton State running back Kayvon Britten has had an elite season for the Texans in 2024, so special that he finished eighth in the voting for the national offensive player of the year award. He was one of 35 finalists for the 2024 Walter Payton Award, one of 15 running backs among the finalists, with an additional 16 quarterbacks, three wide receivers and one offensive lineman.
 
Britten has recorded one of the best seasons in Tarleton State Football history. Across 13 games, Britten has rushed for 1,896 yards and 18 touchdowns on 316 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per rush and 145.8 yards per game. He also has a touchdown and 127 yards on 11 receptions, finishing with 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. Britten set a new single-season program rushing record, surpassing Derrick Ross' mark that had stood for 20 years (1,560 in 2004). He has rushed for over 100 yards in 11 different games, and now with 15 in his Tarleton State career, he has the most ever by a Texan. Britten is one of three players in program history with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
 
Nationally, Britten is second in total rush yards, second in rush yards per game, tied-third in rushing touchdowns, fourth in all-purpose yards per game (155.6), and tied-fourth in total touchdowns.
 
Britten was named the FCS Offensive National Player of the Week and UAC Offensive Player of the Week against North Alabama on Sept. 21 after 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging 13.0 yards per carry. Britten set a new program record for single-game rushing yards, surpassing Ross' 269 yards rushing vs. Western New Mexico on Sept. 10, 2005. Britten's 273 rushing yards are the most in a single-game across FCS and second most across all of NCAA Division I this season, with the FBS leader at 278 (Auburn's Jarquez Hunter). Britten's four rushing touchdowns are the tied-third most in a game at the FCS level this season. Britten tied the program record in scoring with his four touchdowns, joining six others. Before Britten, the most recent to score four times in a game was Xavier Turner on Oct. 20, 2018. In the second quarter at North Alabama, Britten scored his first touchdown on a 96-yard run, which marked the longest run in program history. It's the third longest rushing play across D1 this year, a yard short of UIW's Dekalon Taylor (Sept. 21) and Saint Francis' DeMarcus McElroy (Sept. 14).
 
On Oct. 5 at Southern Utah, Britten crossed the 1,000-yard mark in the sixth game of the year. Only five FCS players have reached 1,000 yards in fewer games; South Dakota State's Zach Zenner in 2012, Portland State's Charles Dunn in 2000, Sacramento State's Charles Roberts in 1999, Siena's Reggie Greene in 1997, and Butler's Arnold Mickens in 1994.
 
Career-wise, Britten has over 4,000 rushing yards between Arkansas Pine-Bluff (1,294 in 19 games) and Tarleton (3,046 in 24 games). Since Derrel Kelley III has 2,000 rushing yards with the Texans, Britten and Kelley are the third FCS duo with 2,000 yards for the same program (UCA's ShunDerrick Powell/Darius Hale, and William & Mary's Bronson Yoder/Malachi Imoh.
 
 
BEST IN TEXAS
Since the start of the 2018 season, Tarleton has been one of the best scholarship football programs in the entire state of Texas. The Texans enter Saturday's game with a .731 winning percentage since the start of 2018, the highest mark across all of the NCAA Division I and II programs in the state. Tarleton is the only Texas D1 or D2 institution with all six winning seasons since 2018. They have 57 wins since the start of 2018, the third most wins in the state by an NCAA Division I or II programs. The list of the top scholarship programs in Texas over that span are as follows:
 

#	School	Conf.	Win Pct.
1.	Tarleton State	UAC	.734
2.	Angelo State	LSC	.724
3.	Incarnate Word	SLC	.696
4.	Texas	SEC	.693
5.	SMU	AAC	.686
6.	Sam Houston	C-USA	.654
7.	Texas A&M	SEC	.635
8.	UTSA	C-USA	.584
9.	TCU	Big 12	.570
10.	Baylor	Big 12	.570

 

#	School	Conf.	Wins
1.	Texas	SEC	61
2.	SMU	AAC	59
3.	Tarleton State	UAC	58
4.	Incarnate Word	SLC	55
	Angelo State	LSC	55
6.	Texas A&M	SEC	54
7.	UTSA	AAC	52
8.	Sam Houston	C-USA	51
9.	TCU	Big 12	49
	Baylor	Big 12	49

 
NEAR THE TOP
Tarleton is shining on the national stage, near the top of the nation as a team by placing...
- T-2nd in Turnover Margin (+1.23 per)
- 3rd in Turnovers Gained (29)
- 3rd in Kick Return Defense (14.9 yds allowed per)
- 4th in Punt Return Defense (2.8 per)
- Tied-5th in Interceptions (18)
- 6th in Red Zone Offense (.930)
- Tied-6th in Fumbles Lost (3)
- 8th in Pass Yards per Completion (14.3)
- Tied-8th in Fumbles Recovered (11)
- 11th in Net Punting (40.8 yds per)
- 17th in Rushing Offense (198.2 rush yards per game)
- 22nd in Sacks Allowed (1.23 per)
- 25th in Turnovers Lost (13)
- 27th in Total Offense (411.1 YPG)
- 28th in Scoring Offense (30.7 PPG)
 
Individually, Tarleton has top-25 student athletes at...
- 2nd in Rushing Yards (Kayvon Britten) at 1,896
- 2nd in Receiving Yards (Darius Cooper) at 1,289
- 2nd in Rush Yards Per Game (Kayvon Britten) at 145.8
- T-3rd in Rushing TD's (Kayvon Britten) at 18
- 4th in Yards Per Completion (Victor Gabalis) at 14.7
- 4th in All-Purpose Yards (Kayvon Britten) at 155.6 per
- T-4th in Total TD's (Kayvon Britten) at 19
- T-4th in Fumble Recoveries (Kasyus Kurns) at three
- 7th in Receiving TD's (Darius Cooper) at 11
- 9th in Yards Per Pass Attempt (Victor Gabalis) at 9.0
- 9th in Yards Per Reception (Darius Cooper) at 19.2
- 9th in Receiving Yards Per (Darius Cooper) at 99.2
- 11th in Scoring (Kayvon Britten) at 8.8 Points Per
- 20th in Tackles for Loss Per (Brandon Tolvert) at 1.3
- 21st in Passing Yards (Victor Gabalis) at 2,504
- 22nd in Pass Yards Per Game (Victor Gabalis) at 227.6
- 22nd in Rush Yards Per Carry (Kayvon Britten) at 6.00
- 24th in Passing TD's (Victor Gabalis) at 19
 
UAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Tarleton has garnered six UAC Player of the Week awards this season.
 
In Week 0, Texan running back Kayvon Britten and punter Adrian Guzman were named the UAC Offensive and Special Teams players of the week, respectively, while defensive back Kasyus Kurns was named the UAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Britten rushed for the second most yards across all of college football, finishing with 164 yards on 25 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. He was three yards short of the highest rushing total in the nation. Kurns had one of the best defensive games a player can have in Week 0, scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery, recovering two fumbles in total, forcing one fumble, adding a tackle for loss and six total tackles. His scoop and score marked the first fumble return touchdown by a Texan since March 6, 2021, vs. Mississippi College (both Zech Hopkins and Benjie Franklin). He also became the first Tarleton State player since 2014 to come up with two takeaways and a touchdown in the same game (Devin Figures vs. McMurry on Oct. 25). Kurns added an interception in Week 1 and now has the most takeaways across the FCS with three. Guzman had a solid day punting in Week 0, averaging 46.3 yards across his six boots, launching two 50+ yards and two inside the 20.
 
In Week 4, Britten earned his second weekly honor of the season after he set the program's single game rushing record with 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He broke a nearly 20-year-old program rushing record set by Derrick Ross on Sept. 10, 2005. Britten's four touchdowns were tied for the most by an FCS running back this season and his 273 rushing yards were just four yards shy of his career-high set during his time at Arkansas Pine-Bluff.
 
In Week 5, linebacker Ty Rawls was named the UAC Defensive Player of the Week, his first conference weekly award since joining the Texans. Rawls had a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and six total tackles in Tarleton State's 36-33 home win vs. Southeastern Louisiana. His forced and recovered fumble marked a crucial part of the game, key to Tarleton's 15-point swing from trailing by five to leading by 10. When the Texans were down 19-14, they scored to go up 22-19, and three plays later, Rawls forced the takeaway. On the very next play, the Texans scored again to lead 29-19. Rawls' fumble recovery was the second of his career, and it marked his first career forced fumble.
 
In Week 12, Tarleton pulled off a rarity -- having a unit win a conference's individual player of the week award. Tarleton's "Special Teams Group" was named the UAC Special Teams Player of the Week in Tarleton's 39-14 win against Central Arkansas. The Texans had back-to-back takeaways on their own kickoffs, the first on a designed lob "onside" kick that was recovered by Omar Emmons at the Central Arkansas 19-yard line. After Tarleton scored a field goal, the Texans got it right back again on another kickoff, this time as Jaylen Jackson laid the hit stick to force a fumble, recovered by Rodrick Weaver Jr. Also on special teams, Benjamin Omayebu covered 61 yards on three punt returns, including a long of 33 yards, punter Adrian Guzman placed three of his four punts inside the 20-yard line, and kicker Corbin Poston went 1-for-1 on field goals.
 
RECLASSIFICATION SUCCESS
There's no way around it, the Texans had one of the most impressive reclassification periods in NCAA history. The Texans posted a winning season in every year of reclassification, just the third team since 2004 to do so. The Texans also posted the third highest winning percentage in a reclassification period since 2004 at .610:
1. North Dakota State: .750 (33-11, 2005-08)
2. Central Arkansas: .630 (29-17, 2006-09)
3. Tarleton: .610 (25-16, 2020-23)
 
NATIONAL LEADER
Across the country, only nine NCAA Division I teams (six FBS, three FCS) have a better win percentage than Tarleton since 2018 (Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, North Dakota State, James Madison, South Dakota State, Florida A&M). So among some other elite programs, Tarleton has a higher W% than the likes of Michigan, Oklahoma, Michigan State, Oregon, Iowa, USC, LSU, etc.
 

#	School	Conf.	Win Pct.
1.	Georgia	SEC	.883
2.	Ohio State	Big 10	.874
	Alabama	SEC	.874
4.	North Dakota State	MVFC	.867
5.	Clemson	ACC	.839
6.	Notre Dame	Ind.	.831
7.	South Dakota State	MVFC	.817
8.	James Madison	SBC	.802
9.	Florida A&M	SWAC	.743
10.	Tarleton State	UAC	.734

 
12: Tarleton State just reached double-digit wins on the season, the most in its D1 era. The Texans are one of 12 FCS teams to reach 10+ wins on the season, and one of 10 with exactly 10 wins. Only two have more (Montana State has 12, Rhode Island has 11).  
 
0: Over the past four games, QB Victor Gabalis has had zero turnovers. Over his last four, he's completed 76-of-105 (.724) for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. Over his last three games, Gabalis has completed 56-of-77 (.727) for 886 yards and nine touchdowns.
 
0: Over the past three games, QB Victor Gabalis has had zero turnovers. Over his last three games, he has completed 50-of-69 (.725) for 790 yards and nine touchdowns. Over his last two games, Gabalis has completed 30-of-41 (.732) for 549 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
17:T he Texans are now 17-5 (.773) across the past two seasons when Victor Gabalis starts at quarterback.
 
10: Offensive lineman Kariem Al Soufi brings a unique background to Tarleton coming from Germany. Al Soufi is one of just 10 players in FCS who is from Germany, and he is one of three international football players in the United Athletic Conference. He is the only UAC player from Germany, and he is just one of three German FCS players playing for a Texas School (two from Stephen F. Austin).
 
1: Whitten is the only coach at any NCAA level actively coaching in his third stint at his current school. He is just one of 37 coaches at any NCAA level to have three non-consecutive tenures at one school and he is the second coach in with three stints at Tarleton State (W.J. Wisdom, 1920-22, 1924-28, 1930-35).
 
UP NEXT
The winner of Saturday's game will advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, and will face either No. 5 UC Davis or No. 12 Illinois State on either Friday, Dec. 13, or Saturday, Dec. 14.