SLC Week 4 Review:
UCABEAR (AnyGivenSaturday.com), SLC Contributor | September 28, 2015
Saturday’s scores:
Abilene Christian 35, Stephen F. Austin 32
Central Arkansas 49, Northwestern State 21
Sam Houston State 63, Houston Baptist 14
McNeese State 37, Mississippi College 0
Texas- El Paso 27, UIW 17
Colorado 48, Nicholls 0
Abilene Christian 35
SFA 32
It took a fourth quarter rally and some impressive running by ACU running back De’Andre Brown (132 yards and 3 TDs) for ACU to top SFA at home Saturday. SFA was very effective on offense racking up 577 yards of offense. ACU also amassed 425 yards of offense. ACU went 2 for 3 on fourth down conversions showing the Wildcats weren’t afraid to gamble. A blocked kick by the Wildcats in the first quarter proved to be the difference in the score and in the end the game.
SFA plays Sam Houston in the annual Battle of the Piney Woods on Saturday at 3 p.m.
ACU travels to UCA to take on the Bears at 6 p.m. in Conway.
UCA 49
NWST 21
For the fourth week in a row and its third road game without a home game UCA traveled to Natchitoches, LA to take on the Demons of Northwestern State. UCA is 2-2 at Turpin stadium since joining the Southland. UCA racked up 521 yards of offense and didn’t punt until 6 minutes left in the second quarter but even that was muffed and UCA recovered it. The game proved to be one sided throughout as UCA coach Campbell gave second team players game time early in the second quarter. The Demons were led by wide receiver Ed Eagan (108 yards 2 touchdowns) who caught a great pass at the UCA 6 yard line, faked right and cruised left to the end zone leaving the Bear defender falling backwards. The Demons racked up 346 yards of offense with 275 coming in the air.
UCA finally gets a home game on Saturday at 6 p.m. as the ACU Wildcats come to Estes Stadium.
NWST travels to UIW to take on the Cardinals at 2 p.m.
Sam Houston 63
HBU 14
This game was close until the half (28-14) when starting the third quarter the Bearkats of SHSU scored 4 quick touchdowns aided by 3 picks from their defense to put the game away. They also assaulted the record book with 727 yards of total offense, went 5-5 in the red zone, threw for 472 yards passing, completed 15.2 yards per pass and amassed 32 first downs. HBU’s offense got 296 yards net with 208 rushing and 88 passing. SHSU also got 21 points off turnovers.
Sam Houston plays SFA in the Battle of the Piney Woods on Saturday at 3 p.m.
HBU hosts College of Faith on Saturday at home in Houston at 7 p.m.
McNeese 37
Mississippi College 0
It was a game of defense for the Cowboys of McNeese as they held the visiting team from Mississippi to just 114 yards overall. McNeese amassed 506 yards of offense and fumbled the ball 6 times and lost it four times. Even with those mistakes the Cowboys easily handled Mississippi College by half 20-0. Mississippi College played the run game to keep the ball out of the Cowboys hands but the defense was too much as McNeese went on to win 37-0.
McNeese travels to Nicholls State to take on the Colonels at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
UTEP 27
UIW 17
Three turnovers were the main difference in this game as the Cardinals of UIW played a strong game against their FBS opponent UTEP. The game was back and forth with the Miners finally coming out on top in the fourth quarter. UIW amassed 414 yards of offense with 285 passing yards. UIW QB Brittain threw 18 of 38 passes and ran for another 73 yards giving him 358 yard of offense. The defense also got 7 tackles for loss but it was UTEPs defense that made critical stops to hold off the Cardinals.
UIW hosts Northwestern State Saturday at 2 p.m.
Colorado 48
Nicholls 0
The Buffaloes of Colorado were just too much for the Colonels as this game was never in doubt. Colorado scored on its first 3 possessions to take a 21-0 lead and never looked back. Nicholls QB Figaro threw for just 40 yards and the team ran for 126 yards. The Colonels fall to 0-3 and will hope to rebound this week at home.
Nicholls hosts McNeese State this week for homecoming.
The Good: UIW proved it could hang with an FBS team showing the rest of the SLC they are a team to watch out for this year.
The Bad: Undefeated conference team ACU will not be eligible for a conference championship or post season play… reminds me of what happened to UCA in 2008.
The Ugly: Both NWST an SFA are 0-4 this year and have to win out to possibly make the post season consideration list.
