Cory’s Clipboard: Week 7 – Statement Wins and Turning Points Across Texas Non-FBS Football
From Abilene Christian’s bounce-back in the UAC to Tyler’s grip on the JUCO race, Week 7 delivered defining wins and shifting playoff paths across every level of Texas football.
Cory’s Clipboard is my weekly reaction column to Texas Non-FBS football. Each weekend, the scores only tell part of the story, and that’s where this column steps in. I’ll break down the biggest results, spotlight standout performances, and share unfiltered thoughts on what those outcomes mean moving forward across Texas football. Find results from every game involving Texas Non-FBS teams in Week 7 here.
Statement Made: ACU Handles Business on the Road at West Georgia
Needing an impressive road win in the United Athletic Conference — especially after a humbling 38–7 loss at UIW in their only previous road game against an FCS foe — Abilene Christian delivered in a big way, rolling past West Georgia 30–13.
The Wildcats’ defense continued to suffocate UAC opponents on third down, holding the Wolves to just 6-of-14 conversions. Even more impressive was ACU’s ability to bottle up a UWG rushing attack that entered averaging more than 200 yards per game. The Wildcats limited the Wolves to only 35 yards on 16 attempts, completely erasing their ground threat.
Offensively, ACU stayed sharp and efficient. Entering the week converting on 48 percent of third downs against conference opponents, the Wildcats improved that number by going 10-for-15. The offensive line was dominant — paving the way for 210 rushing yards and allowing just one sack. Quarterback Stone Earle was poised and precise, completing 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards with no interceptions.
The Wildcats can’t dwell on this one for long. Next up is a long trip west to Southern Utah, where the Thunderbirds will be coming off a bye week. ACU’s only previous visit to Eccles Coliseum in 2023 resulted in a 52–14 loss.
Still, ACU remains undefeated in UAC play and firmly positioned for the stretch run. The Wildcats and Tarleton sit tied atop the conference at 3–0. For the second straight season, their November 1 matchup in Abilene could decide the UAC champion and the league’s automatic berth in the FCS playoffs.
Central Washington Adapts, Adjusts, and Asserts Itself atop the LSC
Once Central Washington head coach Chris Fisk realized his dynamic offense wouldn’t be able to simply outclass one of the best defenses in NCAA Division II, he turned the game into a classic late-November playoff battle. The Wildcats took the air out of the ball, rushing 52 times while attempting only 18 passes in a gritty 27–14 win over UT Permian Basin.
UTPB opened strong with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, and its defense held a CWU offense that had averaged 67 points per game against Lone Star Conference opponents scoreless through its first four drives. The Wildcats finally broke through with a field goal 27 seconds before halftime.
After rushing just six times in the first quarter, CWU committed fully to the ground game, running the ball at least 15 times in each of the final three quarters. The Wildcats finished with 238 rushing yards and took their first lead late in the third quarter. UTPB answered quickly — a 73-yard touchdown strike from Kanon Gibson to Ben Patterson put the Falcons back in front — but the momentum didn’t last.
Behind quarterback Kennedy McGill and a bruising offensive line, CWU scored the game’s final 17 points. The Falcons had two chances to reclaim the lead in the final two minutes before Javonte Walker sealed the win for the Wildcats with a pick-six in the closing seconds.
With the victory, Central Washington seizes control of the LSC race. The Wildcats now turn their attention to a home matchup against Texas A&M–Kingsville before a likely title-deciding showdown with Angelo State on November 1. UTPB remains firmly in at-large contention, but a trip to Western Oregon next week and a home game against West Texas A&M will test the Falcons’ playoff push.
Kingsville Answers the Call, Hands Angelo State a Costly LSC Loss
Texas A&M–Kingsville head coach Scott Parr earned a signature victory in his first season as the Javelinas knocked off reigning Lone Star Conference champion Angelo State 24–13. The teams traded leads through the first half before heading into the locker room tied at 10.
The Javelinas opened the second half with a statement drive, marching 87 yards in 12 plays after their defense forced a three-and-out. Angelo State cut the deficit to four early in the fourth quarter, but TAMUK’s defense stiffened in the red zone, forcing the Rams to settle for a field goal. Running back Edward Chumley then slammed the door with a 27-yard touchdown run to seal the win.
The victory was a needed response for Kingsville after last week’s disappointing road loss at Midwestern State. Parr clearly challenged his team, and they answered against one of the nation’s best. It was the Javelinas’ first win over a top-20 opponent since beating West Georgia in 2023.
For Angelo State, the loss stings. The Rams have now dropped back-to-back conference games for the first time since 2019, and this defeat delivers a major blow to their playoff hopes in the ultra-competitive Super Region Four — home to nine nationally ranked teams this week. With Division II’s expanded eight-team regional format, at least one quality program will be left out, and ASU is dangerously close to that cut line.
While the Rams aren’t eliminated yet, their margin for error is gone. A November trip to Central Washington looms large, and another loss would likely end their postseason hopes.
Back in Black: Cowboys Crush Crusaders, Take Command of ASC Race
Maybe it’s the black uniforms. Whatever it is, Hardin-Simmons continued its dominance inside Shelton Stadium against Mary Hardin-Baylor with a commanding 34–7 win. Saturday marked the third straight regular-season meeting in Abilene where the Cowboys wore their all-black combo against the Cru — and all three ended the same way: an HSU victory. They wore their traditional home set in last year’s playoff loss.
UMHB was without starting quarterback Kirkland Michaux, who sources indicate didn’t take pregame snaps with the first or second team, likely due to injury. That left Seth Mouser to make his first career start, but the Cru offense never found its rhythm — finishing with just 183 total yards. Their ground game was once again a non-factor, totaling only 45 yards and averaging 1.7 yards per carry.
Don’t let UMHB’s offensive struggles overshadow what Hardin-Simmons did. The Cowboys’ offense controlled the game from the start, scoring on three of its first four drives. The offensive line set the tone, opening lanes for 215 rushing yards in a physical, relentless effort.
The 27-point margin is HSU’s largest win over UMHB since a 49–22 result in 2004 — and tied for the second-largest in the series, behind a 56–9 blowout in the inaugural 1998 matchup. The Cowboys have now taken four of the last five meetings, their best stretch since winning the first four in the rivalry when the Crusaders program was just beginning.
With the win, Hardin-Simmons takes the driver’s seat in the ASC title race and the league’s automatic NCAA Division III playoff bid. The 27-point cushion means UMHB must win the rematch in Belton by at least 21 points on November 8, per ASC tiebreaker rules. The Crusaders now have no margin for error — and no at-large lifeline.
Vikings control the clock, the game, and the road to the SAA crown
Berry took control of its matchup with Trinity and fired the first salvo in the Southern Athletic Association title race with a 29–6 victory. The first half was a showcase of two outstanding defenses. The Vikings struck first and converted a two-point attempt after Trinity jumped offside on the PAT, taking an 8–0 lead. The Tigers answered with two field goals, including a 37-yarder as time expired in the first half, to trail 8–6 at the break.
The second half, however, was all Berry. The Vikings scored touchdowns on their first three possessions — and did it in methodical fashion. Their three scoring drives consumed a staggering 26:08 of game time and included 24 plays combined on their first two drives after halftime. Overall, Berry held the ball for 27:10 in the second half, suffocating any chance of a Trinity comeback.
While the loss doesn’t end Trinity’s SAA title hopes, the Tigers now need help. It also magnifies the importance of their regular-season finale at Maryville on November 15 — a game that could become a must-win for an at-large berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
No Stopping the Stampede: Texas Wesleyan Turns Shootout into Blowout
What began as a shootout quickly turned into a rout, as Texas Wesleyan rolled past Louisiana Christian 61–28. Both teams traded big plays and touchdowns throughout the first quarter, with the Tigers grabbing a 21–14 lead early in the second before the Rams’ defense seized control.
The TxWes offense needed just 11 seconds to tie the game at 21, and the defense followed by shutting down LCU’s next two drives on fourth down. The Rams then forced an interception, and the Rams offense rattled off 24 unanswered points to end the first half with a commanding 38–21 lead.
Quarterback Cole Francis was nearly unstoppable, completing 15 of 22 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns — in the first half alone. He finished the night with 501 passing yards as the Rams offense continued to fire on all cylinders.
Texas Wesleyan remains undefeated in Sooner Athletic Conference play alongside Ottawa (Ariz.), while Louisiana Christian falls to 3–1 and into third place. All signs now point to the Rams’ November 8 showdown with OUAZ in Fort Worth as the de facto SAC title game — and a likely ticket to the NAIA playoffs.
Tyler Takes Command: Apaches Seize Control of SWJCFC Title Race
The Tyler Apaches took control of the race for the Southwest Junior College Football Conference regular season title with a commanding 55–7 win over Blinn. One week after needing a miraculous touchdown catch on the final play to escape New Mexico Military Institute, the Apaches left no doubt against the Buccaneers.
Tyler now sits alone atop the SWJCFC standings after Trinity Valley’s 14–7 victory over Navarro in a physical, defensive battle. The Cardinals’ offense relied on big plays in the passing game to build a lead, while TVCC’s defense held firm to keep a potent Bulldogs attack out of the end zone for all but one score. The Cardinals and Bulldogs remain in comfortable playoff positions, but all three teams at the top have ambitions far greater than just a regular-season crown.
Meanwhile, Cisco improved to 2–2 in conference play and currently holds the fourth and final playoff spot. The Wranglers’ place in the standings, however, is far from secure — they still face Tyler and Navarro to round out October before closing the regular season against a Blinn team clinging to postseason hopes.
The Buccaneers have already faced the league’s top three teams and finish their schedule with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Kilgore, and Cisco. That November 8 matchup between the Wranglers and Buccaneers could determine who grabs the final playoff berth. NMMI is likely out of contention, while Kilgore is hanging on by a thread and facing elimination with another loss.