It was a night-and-day difference with how UTPB began Saturday’s game against Midwestern State compared to the week before.
Over a week ago, the Falcons fell behind 17-0 to the Javelinas in the first half as UTPB went on to suffer a 20-14 loss.
On Saturday, UTPB was able to set the tone early against Midwestern State, taking a 17-0 second quarter lead and not looking back in the Falcons’ 27-3 win.
“That’s Falcon football since I’ve been the head coach here,” UTPB head coach Kris McCullough said. “That’s what we strive to do. We want to pound the rock. We want to take shots and you saw that in the first half when our offense dominated. We were able to take care of business. We were able to make a team one-dimensional.”
Every game at this point in is do-or-die for the UTPB football team.
The Falcons passed a big test this past week in their 24-point win in Wichita Falls.
Now, they have a bigger challenge in front of them as they face Angelo State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland.
This week’s game could go a long way in determining the fate of the Lone Star Conference winner this season.
Last week’s game was a crucial recovery for the Falcons (3-2 overall, 2-1 in conference) who have no room for error if they want to repeat as Lone Star Conference champions and make the NCAA Division II playoffs.
>> BATTLE OF CONFERENCE GIANTS: UTPB and Angelo State have won the last two Lone Star Conference titles.
In addition, Angelo State has made the playoffs twice in the last three years.
The Rams (3-1, 2-0) currently sit in a tie for first place with three other teams in the conference.
Angelo State began the season 0-2 after losing consecutive games to MIAA teams Fort Hays State and Emporia State.
Since then, the Rams have recovered, defeating Eastern New Mexico 26-20 and Western New Mexico 21-0.
The Rams are coming off a bye week.
“Have we played our best yet? No, there’s still room for improvement,” McCullough said. “Coming up, we have a huge opponent this week.”
McCullough has plenty of respect for Angelo State head coach Jeff Girsch.
“Their head coach is one of the best dudes that I have met in this profession,” McCullough said. “His record there is remarkable. He just doesn’t lose many games. He does a phenomenal job of coaching.”
>> REFLECTING BACK: There were still plenty of reasons for the Falcons to be excited after Saturday’s win against the Mustangs (2-2, 1-1).
UTPB finished with 442 total yards of offense against Midwestern State while the Mustangs only had 253.
UTPB quarterback Dylan Graham went 23-of-45 for 241 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.
Running back Kory Harris had 22 carries for 148 yards.
UTPB kicker Rafael Vargas was named to this week’s Lone Star Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
The senior averaged 44 yards on punts, made a 31-yard field goal and handled kickoff duties.
Vargas pinned one of his punts inside the 20-yard line.
His field goal was the only score in the fourth quarter and he added an extra-point in the third quarter.
“I thought all three phases played well,” McCullough said. “I thought our offense and defense played lights out. The defense played lights out. We had two huge interceptions that really dictated the flow of the game. I thought our offense jumped out quickly. We were able to get back to our winning ways and running the ball. I thought Dylan Graham had a good game. I thought Kory Harris had a phenomenal game. We had the Special Teams Player of the Week. I thought all three phases of the game were good.”
>> AROUND THE CONFERENCE: Central Washington also remains in first after defeat Western New Mexico 36-0 this past week.
Western Oregon (2-2, 2-0) made life even more miserable for West Texas A&M in a 24-16 win, dropping the Buffaloes to 1-4, 1-3 and possibly putting more pressure on WTAMU head coach Josh Lynn.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-1, 2-0) defeated Sul Ross State 56-21 to remain in a tie for first place.
The Lobos (1-4, 0-3) are still adjusting to life in the Lone Star Conference.
