United Athletic Conference

Sam Houston's Noah Smith, Dixie State's Tyrell Grayson and Stephen F. Austin's Chris Campos have been named TicketSmarter Western Athletic Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for October 4 through October 10.

 

Smith, a sophomore running back from Cypress, Texas, posted his first career 100-yard rushing game in the Bearkats' 41-7 win over Lamar on Saturday afternoon. His biggest run came midway through the third quarter, taking the ball 49 yards for a score to put the 'Kats up 26-7. In addition to his 14 rushes, Smith also caught one pass for five yards to give him 124 all-purpose yards in the winning effort.

 

Grayson, a redshirt freshman defensive back from Fresno, Calif., helped the Trailblazer defense stay tight with sixth-ranked Montana. His first-quarter strip sack helped Dixie State keep the Griz off the scoreboard for most of the first half, heading into the break down 3-0. On the day, he finished with 14 tackles to go with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He recorded double-digit tackles for the third time in five starts this season. 

 

Campos, a redshirt freshman kicker from Nacogdoches, Texas, did his best to keep the 'Jacks in Saturday's bout at Jacksonville State, finishing with a 30-yard field goal and three extra-points made in a 28-24 loss. On the season, he is a perfect 23-for-23 on extra points and an impressive 12-of-15 on field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards. His 59 points scored is nearly double anyone in the WAC this season.

 

Other offensive nominees: Stephen F. Austin's Trae Self posted his second 300-yard passing game of the season in a close 28-24 loss at Jacksonville State, going 26-for-47 for 305 yards with two touchdowns against the nationally-ranked Gamecocks. 

 

Other defensive nominees: Sam Houston's Markel Perry helped hold Lamar to just 23 yards rushing in the first half, finishing with five tackles and three tackles for loss, including a sack, in the 'Kats 41-7 win … Stephen F. Austin's Rayshad Nichols posted six tackles and had 1.5 sacks in a 28-24 loss at nationally-ranked Jacksonville State.

 

Other special teams nominees: Abilene Christian's Logan Burke punted the ball five times, averaging 48.6 yards per kick with a long of 56 yards … Lamar's Bailey Giffen averaged 42.4 yards per punt on seven attempts, placing two within the 20 and forcing two fair catches.

 

It's a light week with just two games on the schedule but both games will count in the WAC standings as Lamar travels to Abilene Christian for a 3 p.m. CT kick while Tarleton travels to Dixie State for a 7 p.m. MT kick. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.

 

As a team, Sam Houston leads the WAC in scoring offense (40.2), scoring defense (18.4), total offense (465.2), rushing offense (222.2), rushing defense (70.2), passing touchdowns (15), field goal percentage (100.0), opponent first downs (15.6) and are tied with Abilene Christian for touchdowns scored (27). Stephen F. Austin is tops in total defense (280.0), pass defense efficiency (100.6), passing offense (283.7), passing defense (165.0), field goals made (12), punting average (40.3), punt return average (18.8), punt return TDs (3), kickoff return aveage (42.8), interceptions (9), first downs (121), first downs passing (72), opponents third-down conversion (28.92), fourth-down conversions (47.37), opponents fourth-down conversion (23.08), sacks by (19) and time of possession (31:28). Abilene Christian is the leader in rushing TDs (11), pass efficiency (147.3), yards per rush (5.88), pass completion percentage (.653), PAT kicks made (24) and third down conversions (46.48). Lamar has thrown the least number of interceptions (4) while Tarleton has the only kick return for a touchdown this season.

 

Individually, SHSU's Ramon Jefferson is the leader in rushing (94.40) while his quarterback Eric Schmid leads the WAC in total offense (270.50) and is tied with SFA's Trae Self for the lead in passing average (240.0). SFA kicker Chris Campos has the lead in scoring (9.83) and field goals (12) while 'Jacks punter Max Quick is the leader in yards per punt (49.05). ACU's Stone Earle has the top pass efficiency rating (152.90) and Dixie State's Jalen Powell is the leader in receptions per game (7.50). SFA's Xavier Gipson is the leader in both receiving yards per game (104.20) and all purpose yards (127.0). 

 

Defensively, DSU's Tyrell Grayson leads the league in tackles per game (11.80) while SFA duo Edward Bobino and BJ Scarlett share the lead for sacks per game (1.00). SHSU's Markel Perry is the leader in tackles for loss per game (2.40). SFA's BJ Thompson is the leader in fumbles forces (2) while TAR's Devin Hafford, ACU's Jordan Paup and SFA's Myles Heard are tied for the lead in fumbles recovered (2). SHSU's Jaylen Thomas, TAR's Hafford and SFA's Myles Brooks share the lead in interceptions with three each.

 

Following a crazy week around the FCS, Sam Houston not only remained the top team in the Stats Perform Top 25 and AFCA Coaches' Top 25 but the 'Kats also moved up to the top spot in the Athlon Sports Top 25. SHSU is also second in the College Sports Madness FCS Top 25. Stephen F. Austin is also among those teams receiving votes in the Stats Perform Top 25 and AFCA Coaches' Top 25.

 

After helping lead Sam Houston to a 21-20 rivalry win over Stephen F. Austin in the Battle of the Piney Woods, senior defensive end Jahari Kay was been named Stats Perform FCS Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with eight tackles (six solos), including 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble late in the game and had two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.  

 

In a rivalry dating back to 1923, the Battle of the Piney Woods lived up to expectations, with top-ranked Sam Houston eeking past Stephen F. Austin, 21-20, to stretch their BOTPW win streak to 10. 

 

Lamar's 17-10 win over Northern Colorado was the WAC's first overtime game of the FCS era and the 59th in the conference's history since college overtime was introduced in 1996. 

 

It's a new era as football returns for the WAC for the first time since 2012, this time at the Football Championship Subdivision. Led by defending FCS national champion Sam Houston, the new incarnation of WAC football will also include Abilene Christian, Dixie State, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton. In 50 years at the FBS level, the WAC was home to the consensus 1984 national champion (Brigham Young), the winner of the 1990 Heisman Trophy (Ty Detmer, QB, Brigham Young) and the first pick of the 2002 NFL Draft (David Carr, QB, Fresno State). 

 

Fresh off winning the tophy, Sam Houston had a pair of players pick up Preseason All-America honors, earning a spot on the Athlon Preseason All-America team. Defensive lineman Jahari Kay and teammate Jequez Ezzard (punt returner) earned the recognition.

 

Seven WAC football players were recognized on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Kay, Ezzard and Sam Houston defensive back Zyon McCollum earned first team honors. Sam Houston Quarterback Eric Schmid was joined by teammate Joseph Wallace and SFA receiver Xavier Gipson on the second team. SHSU offensive lineman Colby Thomas was a third team selection.

 

Sam Houston quarterback Eric Schmid and wide receiver/returner Jequez Ezzard are among 35 players named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List, which is presented to the top offensive player nationally in collegie football's Division I championship subdivision.

 

On the other side of the ball, SHSU's Jahari Kay and Zyon McCollum are on the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player nationally in FCS.

 

Not looking to shy away from anyone, Dixie State has one of the toughest schedules in FCS, taking on four non-conference opponents that played in last spring's FCS tournament, in addition to traveling to WAC-foe Sam Houston. The four members of the AQ7 will also take on Jacksonville State, who represented the Ohio Valley Conference in the FCS playoffs.

 

Non-Conference Games Against 2020 FCS Playoff Teams

Sep. 11 - Weber State at Dixie State

Oct. 2 - Dixie State at South Dakota State

Oct. 9 - Stephen F. Austin at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Oct. 23 - Jacksonville State at Sam Houston (AQ7)

Oct. 30 - Dixie State at Delaware

Nov. 6 - Abilene Christian at Jacksonville State (AQ7)

Nov. 13 - Jacksonville State at Lamar (AQ7)

Nov. 20 - Missouri State at Dixie State

 

As part of an expanded multi-year, multi-platform media rights agreement announced on Aug. 24, all home football games in the WAC for the next four years will reside on ESPN platforms. In addition, all home men's and women's basketball, as well as other select events, will be housed on ESPN digital platforms.

 

 With college football returning to the Western Athletic Conference for the first time since 2012, defending national champion Sam Houston is the favorite to win the 2021 WAC title while Bearkats quarterback Eric Schmid and defensive lineman Jahari Kay were selected WAC Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively, in a vote of the league's six head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

 

Schmid led the Preseason All-WAC Offense and is joined by teammates Ramon Jefferson, Jequez Ezzard, Isaac Schley, Eleasah Anderson, Prince Pines and Colby Thomas. Stephen F. Austin was represented by Xavier Gipson and Zach Ingram while Tarleton earned honors from Tariq Bitson and Zachary Perry. Dixie State running back Quali Conley earned the final offensive spot.

 

On defense, Kay was joined by teammates Trace Mascorro, Joseph Wallace, Quentin Brown, Trevor Williams, Zyon McCollum and Jaylen Thomas. SFA's Brandon Thompson Jr. and Brevin Randle were recognized, as was Tarleton duo Ronnell Wilson and Devin Hafford. Lamar's Anthony Ruffin represented the Cardinals in the preseason awards.

 

On special teams, Sam Houston kicker Seth Morgan and punter Matt McRobert were recognized and Ezzard earned the spot reserved for kick returner.

 

Sam Houston earned all five possible first place votes to earn 20 points. Stephen F. Austin earned the final first place votes and 16 points to earn second place. Tarleton is picked third with 11 points, followed by Lamar and Abilene Christian. Dixie State, who will be eligible for all individual awards, will not be playing a full WAC schedule due to previous non-conference game contracts.

 

After lifting the NCAA FCS National Championship trophy in May, the Sam Houston Bearkats are expected to return to the postseason as AQ7 champions as voted on by the seven head coaches of the alliance, which made up on four institutions from the Western Athletic Conference and three from the Atlantic Sun Conference.

 

The Bearkats earned all seven first place votes to score a perfect 49 points. Central Arkansas was picked second with 40 points, followed closely by Jacksonville State in third with 37 points. Stephen F. Austin is fourth with 27 points, followed by Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Lamar.

 

The WAC will expand yet again on July 1, 2022 as Southern Utah University joins the party. The Thunderbirds are currently members of the Big Sky Conference and will make the switch in all sports.