WEEK 13 SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 21
Southeastern at Nicholls 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 23
#6/6 UIW at East Texas A&M 1 p.m.
Abilene Christian at SFA 2 p.m.
Northwestern State at HCU 2 p.m.
Lamar at McNeese 7 p.m
All Times Central
THE OPENING DRIVE
UIW Claims Southland Title and Automatic Qualifier
For the third time in the last four seasons, the UIW Cardinals have won the Southland Title and earned the Conference’s automatic qualifier (AQ). The Cardinals will return to the FCS Playoffs after shockingly being left out a season ago. It marks the third appearance for UIW in the last four seasons. The focus all season was controlling what they could control in their quest to return to the playoffs, and part of that was winning the conference title. Mission Accomplished. UIW looks to lock in a Top 8 seed in their season finale at East Texas A&M.
What Next for At Large Contenders
Going into the final weekend of play, Southeastern and SFA continue to make their case for potential at large bids. The Lions will have their annual River Bell Battle with Nicholls in Thibodaux with a chance to finsih the season 7-5 with only three FCS losses, all coming to nationally-ranked opponents likely to make the playoffs in No. 3 South Dakota State, No. 6 UIW, and No. 15 Tarleton. Meanwhile, SFA has the longest of long shots, but could get a boost if they could knock off nationally-ranked and UAC Champion Abilene Christian in their season finale in Nacogdoches.
High Stakes Battle of the Border
Though playoffs may not be on the line, this year’s Battle of the Border features two programs who have gotten back on track in the last few years in McNeese and Lamar, both sitting at 6-5 on the season. McNeese has rebounded from an 0-10 season a year ago and can close the year with an impressive 7-5 mark, while Lamar looks for the same record to continue their trajectory for two years straight. The two meet in Lake Charles on Saturday night to close the season.
Beast Texas A&M
A refresh can go a long way, just ask the newly named East Texas A&M Lions. The Lions have now won two straight games, both in thrilling fashion, and look to close their three game home stand on high note with No. 6 UIW. Ron Peace has been especially good, throwing for 400 yards for the second time this season and 712 passing yards and six touchdowns in his last two outings.
2024 SOUTHLAND PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
RON PEACE, EAST TEXAS A&M • QB • R-JR • MALAKOFF, TEXAS
• Ron Peace went 40 of 65 for 400 yards and four touchdowns in a wild win over HCU. Peace led the Lions back in an East Texas shootout, erasing a 40-28 deficit in the scond half to give East Texas A&M their second straight win. Peace connected with Christian Jourdain for three of his touchdowns and threw the game-winning touchdown to Sean Sallis with 36 seconds to play in the game.
Other nominees:
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
DARIUS SANDERS, UIW • LB • SR • AMARILLO, TEXAS
• Darius Sanders had two interceptions against SFA, including a game-clinching pick in the final seconds to secure the 27-20 victory over the Lumberjacks, the Southland Conference title, and the AQ for the Cardinals. His first interception came early in the second half to help push the UIW lead to 20-9. He also added eight total tackles and one tackle for loss for three yards.
Other nominees:
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
KYNDON FUSELIER, LAMAR • WR/PR • JR • NEDERLAND, TEXAS
• Kyndon Fuselier got the scoring started for the Cardinals by returning a first-quarter punt 40 yards for a touchdown. He returned two punts on the day including the house call for Big Red in their 24-7 win over Nicholls. It is the first punt return for a touchdown of Fuselier’s career.
