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Tarleton State University Athletics

GabalisKramerNorthAlabamaRecap
0
North Ala. UNA 2-9 , 1-6
61
Winner Tarleton St. TAR 10-1 , 6-1
North Ala. UNA
2-9 , 1-6
0
Final
61
Tarleton St. TAR
10-1 , 6-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UNA North Ala. 0 0 0 0 0
TAR Tarleton St. 21 19 7 14 61

Game Recap: Football | | Grant Cohen

Tarleton State Football dominates North Alabama in shutout win for 10th victory of season

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State Football won its 10th game in dominating fashion, collecting its second shutout of the season with a 61-0 win against North Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. 

The 61-0 victory marked the largest shutout win in the Division I era. It was the largest margin of victory in a shutout for the Texans since 2002 (62-0 vs. SW Assemblies of God). 

The Texans maintained their perfect home record with its fifth win in Stephenville. Tarleton State has now won 10 games two years in a row and has won at least 10 games for the fourth time in the last decade. 

Senior quarterback Victor Gabalis completed 12-of-16 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns while senior wide receiver Peyton Kramer led the Texans in receiving with 128 yards off three receptions and a touchdown. Junior running back Tylan Hines scored his first two touchdowns in the Purple and White while leading the run game with 80 yards. The defense came up with four interceptions and a safety in the shutout win. 

"Tonight was a really good win for our program. I'm really proud of our coaches and players with their preparation for this one coming off of the ACU loss," head coach Todd Whitten said. "We had a lot of big plays and we were explosive, something we always try to do. This is a good team win. To be at 10 wins is a big deal for our program and I'm proud of our guys. 

As they have all season, the Texans quickly got to work to take the lead early. Gabalis connected with Kramer for a 78 yard pass on the Texans' second offensive play of the game that allowed Tarleton State to strike first. A muffed punt recovered by sophomore linebacker Markell Johnson put the Texans in prime position for another score. Gabalis helped the Texans find the end zone again, turning a fourth-down conversion into a touchdown capped off by tight end Danny Joiner. 

The passing game kept cooking in the opening quarter, with wide receiver Marquis Willis coming down with a 64-yard reception to put the Texans in the red zone. Hines completed the Texans' final offensive drive of the first quarter with an 18-yard run for a 21-0 Tarleton State lead. 

North Alabama briefly toned down the Texans' offense in the second quarter, but Gabalis and his receivers helped pick the offense up. Gabalis connected with senior wide receiver Trevon West for a 22-yard touchdown with just under five minutes left in the half. He later found junior wide receiver Cody Jackson for a 2-yard completion to the end zone that extended the lead to 35 points. 

After the offense shined, it was the defense's turn at the spotlight. Senior linebacker AJ Owens collected a six yard sack that allowed the defense to collect a safety and give the ball back to the offense. Senior kicker Brad Larson capped off the first half by drilling a 34-yard field goal to give the Texans a 40-0 lead at halftime. 

The defense displayed its dominance once again in the second half, collecting three interceptions in the third quarter alone. Senior defensive back Ja'Voni Melidor spoiled North Alabama's hopes of a fresh set of downs on a 4th and 10, intercepting the pass to swing the momentum. Tarleton State's defense continued to punish the Lions on their next drive, with senior linebacker Omar Emmons picking off North Alabama's pass. 

Interceptions kept coming for the Texans in the third quarter, with the Texans taking advantage of defensive back Avian Rice's interception by scoring a 26-yard touchdown. Senior quarterback Daniel Greek connected with sophomore wide receiver Bryce Parker to give the Texans a 47-0 advantage entering the fourth quarter. 

The Texans' scoring spree continued in the fourth quarter thanks to Hines' second touchdown of the night and a 1-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore running back James Paige. North Alabama was forced into 150 yards of total offense, allowing the Texans to obtain their 10th win of the season with ease. 

Tarleton State will play its final regular season game of the season next Saturday against Austin Peay at Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. 
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