Wow!

I don't really know what else to say.

This was not a pretty game, not at all. But one play was, and last night, that was all that had mattered.

Scott Grantham, on perhaps his worst performance in purple and white, connected with wide receiver Eric Foreman on a 64-yard pass (the reception caught on camera by Nathan Burel and pictured on the right).

I am not sure what yardline on which Foreman caught the ball, but he ran it into the endzone for the go-ahead score. Sixty-four yards was the complete scoring play, but it was worth much more than six points.

It was worth this thing called VICTORY.

The Texan defense played great, especially since it was on the field 39:26. The defense kept the Texans in the game, but the whole team's desire to not give up until the last buzzer was impressive.

The whole team, and myself included, was jumping around running down to the other end of the field like little kids. We forgot about the final 13 seconds, but the Texan defense went out and stopped the last-second efforts by the Bulldogs and Tarleton improved to 5-0 on the season.

There were only a few pretty plays in the game, including the winning touchdown catch and a 54-yard touchdown run by Roderick Smith. But the prettiest part of the game was when time expired, the No. 16 Texans led 24-21.

And in the end, that's all that really matters, right?

Congratulations Texans on the win! Now, it's time to focus on the LSC South Division.

It only gets harder from here.

Sitting in the parking lot in Ardmore, Okla....

Last night brought back memories…

I was about five years old when my family went on vacation to San Antonio. We hit all the tourist spots including the Alamo, the Riverwalk and of course one of my favorite Mexican food places, Casa del Rio.

One night, we went to the Riverwalk and got on the riverboat. I was sitting in the front seat by myself, and right after we passed the outdoor theater, a big wave came over the front of the boat. I was thinking, “Cool!”, then I found out otherwise. Our boat… are you ready for this… SUNK! Yes, your read it right, sunk.

It took about an hour or hour and a half for them to send another boat around to pick us up and take us on the rest of the trip. By then, most of the people that were on the boat at the beginning had walked off. We got on and finished the tour. Overall, it was an interesting experience that we laugh about today, but at the time… not so much.

Fast forward to last night, Friday, Sept. 26.

We had just eaten supper at the Sirloin Stockade in Ardmore, Okla. And much like the riverboat when it passed through the live theater, we were watching a movie. And though there wasn’t a wave coming over the front of the bus, there might as well have been. Longer story shortened, that new bus (which was on its first trip) decided to sink out of commission. That’s right… we pulled off into a shopping center parking lot and we waited.

Finally, a few of the coaches took the starters and the rest of the two-deep on to Oklahoma City as about 10 other student-athletes and the rest of the coaches, support staff, radio guys and myself sat in the parking lot waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Four hours after we first stopped, the replacement bus arrived from Oklahoma City and we finally head to OKC. We arrived at the hotel around 1 a.m., five hours after we were supposed to get to the Crowne Plaza.

We finished the movie we had started when we got back on the bus from supper, and they watched another, too.

Overall, though, the morale in the parking lot was good. A few of the trainers there, along with a few of the players, decided to take up a game of throw the empty Powerade bottle. I think it may have turned into a soccer bottle one time.

“I don’t like this, but there is nothing we can do about it,” said head coach Sam McElroy. “I am a routine-oriented guy, and last night didn’t go like we wanted it to go. But men, that is now behind us. Today, we focus on Southwestern Oklahoma, and if history repeats itself, it will be an all-out war.”

Talking to all the coaches, and Dr. Ron Newsome who has been on 1,000s of road trips, nobody has ever had this situation happen before.

How will the team respond this evening? I don’t think it will make a difference. I’m just glad it wasn’t on the way to Southwestern (now crossing my fingers!).

When we got of the bus early this morning at the hotel, Lucas Vance, the color commentator for the Tarleton Athletics Radio Network, said, “This will be a road trip I never forget. Remind me to never go to Ardmore, Okla. again.”

I am not sure we can hold it against Ardmore, or the bus company. I am glad we didn’t have anyone walk away while we were waiting for the bus like the people did it at the riverwalk.

I do know the boat finally arrived, and the tour, and the whole trip, turned out to be a wonderful experience.

Here’s hoping the same will be said when we get home early in the morning.

Luker goes from QB to rocker to QB on Sports Illustrated's website

Do you know this man to the right?

Tarleton's junior transfer quarterback Kelan Luker is a product of Stephenville who returned to his roots following a career with a rock and roll band, Submersed.Today, his story is featured on SI.com, written by Andy Staples. For the actual story link, click here.

Tomorrow, Luker and his teammates take on Southwestern Oklahoma in Weatherford, Okla. at 6 p.m.

Listen to the game online and read the preview the game here.

Texans stay at No. 16

The Texans are still the No. 16 team in the country, according to the American Football Coaches Assocation poll.

However, in the national statistics, the Texans are No. 1 in tackles for loss per game, No. 2 in rushing defense, No. 13 in passing defense, No. 5 in scoring defense, No. 3 in total defense, No. 33 in total offense, No. 7 in rushing offense and No. 11 in scoring offense.

The Texans' Jamaal Steamer and Josh Douglas are tied for No. 7 individually in tackles for loss per game (2.13).

Roderick Smith is No. 3in scoring with 15.0 points per game.

So, if stats are worth anything, I would say we were better than No. 16, but I am not a member of the AFCA and can't vote.

What are your thoughts? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

Don't forget, the Texans kickoff Saturday in Weatherford, Okla. at 6 p.m. against Southwestern Oklahoma.

LIVE game blog vs. UCO

STEPHENVILLE - The Texans are set to kickoff against UCO for Family Weekend. We'll keep you updated LIVE on the blog.

Add your comments below about the game:


The Bronchos scored first as they drove 80 yards on nine plays to score. The PAT put the visitors ahead early at the 11:25-mark, 7-0.

The Texans took the ensuing drive 70 yards on eight plays before Roderick Smith punched it in from five yards away. Garrett Lindholm's kick made it a tie game, 7-7.

UCO then took the ball 76 yards on 17 plays during a 6:36-drive. The extra point made it 14-7 Bronchos with 57 seconds left in the first quarter.

Tarleton then went 73 yards on eight plays and 4:03 to tie the game on another Smith touchdown. Both Tarleton touchowns have been scored with 11:51 on the clock, and Lindholm's kick made it 14-14.

The Texan defense held the Broncho for the first time of the night, then drove 69 yards on five plays and scored when Devin Guinn caught a 28-yard pass from Scott Grantham to score. Lindholm's kick gave the Texans their first lead of the contest, 21-14.

UCO got an interception with the Texans driving and took six plays to eat up 27 yards and score on a 37-yard field goal by Chad Susman to make it 21-17.

On the ensuing kickoff, Smith returned a 93-yard kickoff return to put the Texans ahead 28-17 at the break thanks to Lindholm's kick.

Neither team scored until late in the third quarter when UCO was driving and quarterback Brandon Noohi fumbled the ball on the Tarleton end of the field. Tarleton's Marcus Phillips recovered the fumble and tried to scoop and score, but he was pushed out of bounds at the UCO 25-yardline. Three plays later, Grantham found Smith on a left side screen pass, and the running back scored from 22 yards out. Lindholm's kick made it 35-17 Texans.

The Texans drove within the UCO five, but the Broncho defense stopped Tarleton on four straight running plays. However, Alex Gibson, UCO's quarterback, was picked off at the UCO eight-yardline by Sheldon Monsegue who picked six. Lindholm added the point after attempt to make it 42-17 Texans.

Texans win in front of a crowd of 5,318, 42-17.

Meanwhile... back at the stadium...

Tonight the Texans take on the Bronchos (yes, that is the correct spelling). Unfortunately, due to rule violations by Central Oklahoma, no football games can be broadcast via TV or the internet, so fans will only be able to listen to the game if you can't make it. Or of course, you could listen while at the game.

As usual, we will provide a live blog here on Tarleton Tales, so tell your friends, interact, and of course, root for the undefeated, No. 16 Tarleton Texans tonight with kickoff starting at 7 p.m.

What do you think of tonight's game? What are your predictions?

Who's on your shirt?

Sometimes people give me a hard time about graduating from the private university in our conference to the west of us. And, yes, I am proud of the diplomas (two) I have from there.

However, I have never been more proud of our, that would be Tarleton's, volleyball team tonight!

For the first time since I have been here, and for the first time since 2002, the TexAnns downed the Wildcats. And they did it in pretty dominating fashion. They won 25-20, 25-12 and 25-21. And really, the first two games were not that close. They fought hard in the third set and came back to win it and close out the match.

The victory ended a nine-match losing streak to the other purple and white team from the LSC, and that is the best I have ever seen the TexAnns' play from the beginning to the end.

It was very exciting, and I am glad I was there to be a part of it... with my pointer finger in the air and a T on my shirt!

Up three spots...

The Texans have moved up three spots to No. 16 in the national AFCA poll (the official poll for NCAA Division II).

Nine of the Top 25 teams are in our region (Super Region 4), and six of them are in the Top 10... Top 9 actually.

This is a tough region that got tougher when Nebraska-Omaha joined the MIAA and we dropped the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) only to pick up the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). The GNAC, however, doesn't have enough teams to get an earned access bid to the playoffs, so one of their teams has be ranked in the Top 6 in the region to get in no matter what. However, Central Washington is ranked No. 8, and they are members of the GNAC.

Here is the poll release.

What do you think? How is this ranking in line with how you feel Tarleton should be ranked? Let us know in the comment section.

Watching a movie it occured to me...

On the bus on the way home, we watched a movie: 300.

As the Spartans were fighting to save their honor, they would stand their ground and fight no matter what happened. They used tactics to draw in the other side and became victorious on several occasions, but they perhaps get a little too condifent? After all, they all died.

It reminded me, I sometimes fail to mention, as often as I probably should, the stellar defense we have lining up in purple and white.

Under defensive coordinator Cary Fowler, the Texans have held opponents to a toal of 26 points in three games, an average of 8.7 points per game. Opponents have also only gained a total of 489 yards in the three games, an average of 163.0 yards per game.

In that average, the run defense is perhaps better than stellar, holding the other teams to an average of just 45.7 yards per game. In the first half, the defense is allowing an average of 42.67 yards per first quarter and 84.3 yards per first half. Below is the first quarter opponent stats:

Rushing Passing
Game 1 43 35
Game 2 1 5
Game 3 4 40

Overall opponent stats:
Rushing Passing Total
Game 1 46 142 188
Game 2 59 73 132
Game 3 32 137 169

I don't know about you, I am sure glad these guys are wearing purple and white. And in the little time I have known Coach Fowler, and definitely Coach McElroy, this defense shouldn't let up.

And I don't believe they will get too confident. "No retreat and no surrender." Not only are they the words of Leonidas before his final battle, I believe that could be the battle cry of the Texan defense.

And I am good if the number 300 is a part of the 2008 football season. Not in the number of players battling for the Texans, but as the number opponent offenses strive to reach against the Texans. So far, opponent offenses have gone by the way of the Spartans and come up short on the battlefields.

In the end, Leonidas tells one of his soldiers that is was an honor to live by his side, and truly, it is honor to watch this defense fight their battles... can't wait to see what happens next.

Wet, Wet, Wet

Well, I braved the rain for a quarter and a half without any rain gear (what was I thinking?) Now, I came up in hopes to be dry before getting on the bus at the end of the game. I really do love this game!

So far, nothing but Tarleton, and as I am typing this, Roderick Smith just scored his second rushing touchdown, this one from 29 yards away. Garrett Lindholm added his fourth PAT of the game to put the Texans up 31-0 with 5:59 left in the second quarter.

In the first half, the Texans held ECU, who trails 31-0, to just minus-three yards rushing and 68 total yards in the first half.

ECU's Marcus Johnson just threw for a 11-yard touchdown and the ensuing PAT was missed and almost blocked, but the score cut the lead to 31-6.

Smith scored his third touchdown this one from 68 yards away. Tarleton leads 38-6.

End of the third quarter... the Texans still lead 38-6. Total yards thus far - Tarleton: 261, 160 rushing; ECU: 137, 15 rushing.

The Texans had their first turnover of the game when Kelan Luker fumbled with just over six minutes left in the contest.

The game is over, and the Texans held strong on defense despite ECU driving inside the redzone. Tarleton wins, 38-6.

What did you think of the game?

On the way to East Central...

ARDMORE, Okla. - The No. 19 Texans are to play East Central in Ada, Okla. Saturday, and on the way, Tarleton stopped to eat its pregame meal at Budro's... and they welcomed the Texans on the sign (to the right).

The Texans' game has been moved to 4 p.m. and fans can watch the Texans online via the Tarleton Ticket. The Texans are also online at KSTV's web site or on the radio at 93.1 FM.

Gametime changed Saturday to 4 p.m.

The game on Saturday has been changed to 4 p.m. from the original 6 p.m. kickoff time.

More info later.

Catch Scott Grantham... or at least his words

Sophomore quarterback Scott Grantham gives you his point of view at Tarleton Talks.

Still No. 19

The Texans are still ranked No. 19 in the nation, according to the AFCA poll. Here's the official release.

This region has nine teams in the Top 25... only six teams get into the playoffs, and we (the region) picked up two very good teams this year in Nebraska-Omaha and Central Washington.

Is this where the Texans should be rated? Should Tarleton be higher or lower?

Tell us your feelings in the comment section.

Also, be sure to tell your friends about the Tarleton blogs. This is a great place for fans to interact.

FB vs. Northeastern State - LIVE Blog

Kickoff is just a few minutes away, and we will provide live updates from Memorial Stadium.

Gives us your comments on the game here in the comments section, and/or ask questions.

Game Notes:

The Texans got the ball fist and went for it on fourth, but came up short. The defense forced a three-and-out and then Tarleton drove the field, scoring first when last week's LSC Special Teams Player of the Week, Garret Lindholm, nailed a 46-yard field goal to put the home team up 3-0.

At the end of the first quarter, the Texans lead, 3-0. In the first quarter, the RiverHawks had 10 plays for a total of six yards, including nine rushes for one yard.

Tarleton took their first drive of the second quarter 47 yards on six plays and scored the first touchdown of the game when Roderick Smith punched it in from three yards out. Lindholm's PAT made it 10-0 Texans.

With 8:05 on the clock in the second quarter, Smith sprinted 66 yards around the left corner for another Texan score. Lindholm's kick made it 17-0.

Travis Evans just broke a 46-yard rush after spinning out of a pile of RiverHawks, then broke at least two more tackles, including plowing through a defensive player down the sideline. Scott Grantham then found Devin Guinn open in the endzone on a bootleg. Five plays, 64-yards and Lindholm's kick made it 24-0 with 3:24 left in the half.

Texans lead at the half, 24-0.

The shutout was lost when NSU's kicker, Jarrod Homer, nailed a 50-yard fiel goal attempt. But a false start penalty pushed the ball five yards back. Homer then nailed a 55-yard field goal to make it 24-3 Tarleton. The distance set a new school record for NSU.

The Texans are driving at the end of the third quarter, leading 24-3.

Tarleton scored again on a Tyler Maher touchdown catch from Grantham nine yards away to put the Texans up 31-3.

The Texans' Lindholm was set to kick a 48-yard field goal with 3:56 remaining in the game, but a roughing the kicker penalty moved Tarleton to the NSU 16-yardline. A pass from Grantham to Maher to the one before George Murray ran the ball in untouched to make it 38-10 with 3:27 on the clock after Lindholm's PAT.

The game has ended with the Texans improving to 2-0 on the season with a 38-10 victory. Total game recap and stats will be up on the TarletonSports.com website shortly.

Tell us your thoughts on the game in the comments section.

Check out updates here on Saturday

OK... hopefully, we will have the ability to put updates up on the game Saturday as the Texans are prepared to take on the RiverHawks of Northeastern State at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

We invite your comments and questions as well. Just post in the comment section here on the blog.

Let's go Texans!