(08-10-2026 09:11 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(08-09-2026 10:08 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  https://tarletonsports.com/sports/football/roster

And Tarleton posts our roster almost three weeks in advance of our first game. HC Todd Whitten is now on X.

What in the wide world of sports is happening?

I was looking at the roster and noticed #15 Collier QB at 150lbs at 5'10" is stick skinny. My thinking was if this guy gets on the field and takes one massive hit from an Edge rusher he AIN'T getting up.

Seriously this kid needs to fill out or he will have serious skeletal issues playing football and his resume looks great.

Kid was kinda a badass at Alvarado. He got hit plenty. But he’s not a D1 quarterback. They’ll find a spot for him.

(08-10-2026 08:22 PM)DodgeHouse Wrote:  

(08-10-2026 09:11 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(08-09-2026 10:08 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  https://tarletonsports.com/sports/football/roster

And Tarleton posts our roster almost three weeks in advance of our first game. HC Todd Whitten is now on X.

What in the wide world of sports is happening?

I was looking at the roster and noticed #15 Collier QB at 150lbs at 5'10" is stick skinny. My thinking was if this guy gets on the field and takes one massive hit from an Edge rusher he AIN'T getting up.

Seriously this kid needs to fill out or he will have serious skeletal issues playing football and his resume looks great.

Kid was kinda a badass at Alvarado. He got hit plenty. But he’s not a D1 quarterback. They’ll find a spot for him.

Taking hits in 4A High School is nothing compared to FCS. There is not the size or speed in 4A HS like FCS.

Redshirt the kid if you gave him scholarship $$$ and see if weights and a high protein diet can put some weight on him otherwise his health is at risk on every down he plays.

This isn’t baseball where weight doesn’t matter.

(08-11-2026 11:32 PM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(08-10-2026 08:22 PM)DodgeHouse Wrote:  

(08-10-2026 09:11 AM)BlueDragon Wrote:  

(08-09-2026 10:08 AM)TexanFan Wrote:  https://tarletonsports.com/sports/football/roster

And Tarleton posts our roster almost three weeks in advance of our first game. HC Todd Whitten is now on X.

What in the wide world of sports is happening?

I was looking at the roster and noticed #15 Collier QB at 150lbs at 5'10" is stick skinny. My thinking was if this guy gets on the field and takes one massive hit from an Edge rusher he AIN'T getting up.

Seriously this kid needs to fill out or he will have serious skeletal issues playing football and his resume looks great.

Kid was kinda a badass at Alvarado. He got hit plenty. But he’s not a D1 quarterback. They’ll find a spot for him.

Taking hits in 4A High School is nothing compared to FCS. There is not the size or speed in 4A HS like FCS.

Redshirt the kid if you gave him scholarship $$$ and see if weights and a high protein diet can put some weight on him otherwise his health is at risk on every down he plays.

This isn’t baseball where weight doesn’t matter.

I would agree with both of you. If he can put on some weight , and muscle/speed, they will find a spot for him. I think my qualifier would be is if his football IQ is truly DI level.

Just released:

2026 Tarleton State Football Preview: Are The Texans Ready To Take The Next Step?

https://www.si.com/college/fcs/uac/2026-...-next-step

(08-13-2026 03:33 PM)unalions Wrote:  Just released:

2026 Tarleton State Football Preview: Are The Texans Ready To Take The Next Step?

https://www.si.com/college/fcs/uac/2026-...-next-step

This Tarleton team is more talented and deeper in every position than last year. Does this translate into a better team? I don’t know but this is why you pay your coaches. In two weeks and two days we start to find out if the talent lives up to the expectations.

(08-13-2026 10:19 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-13-2026 03:33 PM)unalions Wrote:  Just released:

2026 Tarleton State Football Preview: Are The Texans Ready To Take The Next Step?

https://www.si.com/college/fcs/uac/2026-...-next-step

This Tarleton team is more talented and deeper in every position than last year. Does this translate into a better team? I don’t know but this is why you pay your coaches. In two weeks and two days we start to find out if the talent lives up to the expectations.

I wonder how much Tarleton sticks to the offensive scheme they ran last year? With both a new QB and such a new OL, can they effectively learn it that quickly? Either way, there is a ton of talent and you are right about translation. That seems to be the name of the game every year for most everyone now though.

(08-14-2026 07:37 AM)Outsider Wrote:  

(08-13-2026 10:19 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-13-2026 03:33 PM)unalions Wrote:  Just released:

2026 Tarleton State Football Preview: Are The Texans Ready To Take The Next Step?

https://www.si.com/college/fcs/uac/2026-...-next-step

This Tarleton team is more talented and deeper in every position than last year. Does this translate into a better team? I don’t know but this is why you pay your coaches. In two weeks and two days we start to find out if the talent lives up to the expectations.

I wonder how much Tarleton sticks to the offensive scheme they ran last year? With both a new QB and such a new OL, can they effectively learn it that quickly? Either way, there is a ton of talent and you are right about translation. That seems to be the name of the game every year for most everyone now though.

Based on multiple comments from Whitten, our offense will be diversified this year. He has said there will be more pre snap motions and additional receiver routes. The slow mesh we do between the QB and the RB will remain.

Hope you all had good scrimmages on Saturday, and actually got to see them. They aren't quite full game scenarios but at least they give ideas on how things are progressing. I would say I see a lot of grit, depth and speed for us. Both sides came away with great plays and they played 3 deep rotations. I saw really good things on each level and some things to work on for each level. What I can't see from a scrimmage is the consistency that I have been craving. That will show itself with time.

(08-15-2026 12:51 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  

(08-14-2026 07:37 AM)Outsider Wrote:  

(08-13-2026 10:19 PM)TexanFan Wrote:  [quote='unalions' pid='20727276' dateline='1786653183']
Just released:

2026 Tarleton State Football Preview: Are The Texans Ready To Take The Next Step?

https://www.si.com/college/fcs/uac/2026-...-next-step

This Tarleton team is more talented and deeper in every position than last year. Does this translate into a better team? I don’t know but this is why you pay your coaches. In two weeks and two days we start to find out if the talent lives up to the expectations.

I wonder how much Tarleton sticks to the offensive scheme they ran last year? With both a new QB and such a new OL, can they effectively learn it that quickly? Either way, there is a ton of talent and you are right about translation. That seems to be the name of the game every year for most everyone now though.

Based on multiple comments from Whitten, our offense will be diversified this year. He has said there will be more pre snap motions and additional receiver routes. The slow mesh we do between the QB and the RB will remain.
[/quote
3 Offensive Coordinators. Same Offense. Make no mistake who is calling and designing plays. And the SFA guy will leave after this season. W’ell bog down at the end of the season, and struggle in the post season. Hire a new Coordinator. Rinse and repeat.

With the 2026 season about to start, and the ACU v TSU long-term rivalry, I thought it would be fun to go back and research our complete histories. I would love to see more of the UAC team's histories, especially those who have been rivals in the past, in different conferences and current. Please correct me on anything below.

Abilene Christian - since 1919
Total: 549-464-14 (Including the vacated 2007 season: 559-464-14)
Conference Championships (15): TCAC: '39, '40, '46, '50, '51, '52, '53; GCC: '55; LSC: '73, '77, '08, '10; WAC: '22; UAC: '24, '25
Playoffs: NAIA: 2 appearances/2 National Championships; DII: 6 appearances/3-6 record; DI: 2 appearances/2-2 record

Tarleton State - since 1904
Total: 348-327-3
Conference Championships(12): TIAA: '77, '78, '86, '87, '88, '90; LSC: '01, '09, '13, '18, '19: UAC: '25
Playoffs: NAIA: 4 appearances/3-4 record; DII: 5 appearances/4-5 record; DI: 2 appearances 2-2 record

UTA, then known as Arlington State College, became a four-year institution in 1959. Since them, UTA is 6-7 versus ACU and 2-0 versus Tarleton State. The Rebels/Mavericks have played no other games against members of the UAC.

Good stuff Outsider.
According to media guide info, ACU leads the all-time series, 24-13-4. I remember some great games between these two teams over the last 20 years. Last-minute victories. Great players.
....but I miss the most important part of games in Stephenville... Dublin Dr Pepper!!!!!!!!

Can I get an AMEN!?!

(08-21-2026 02:16 PM)Texas48 Wrote:  Good stuff Outsider.
According to media guide info, ACU leads the all-time series, 24-13-4. I remember some great games between these two teams over the last 20 years. Last-minute victories. Great players.
....but I miss the most important part of games in Stephenville... Dublin Dr Pepper!!!!!!!!

Can I get an AMEN!?!

Amen, love stopping in Dublin...

North Alabama — since 1912; current program established in 1949
Total: 488-325-16
Conference Championships (17): Alabama Collegiate Conference: ’60, ’61, ’62, ’63; GSC: ’80, ’83, ’85, ’93, ’94, ’95, ’03, ’06, ’09, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16
Playoffs: DII: 21 appearances/35-18 record/3 National Championships: ’93, ’94, ’95; DI: 0 appearances

All-time record vs. current UAC teams, through 2025:

Opponent W L T Pct. Streak First Meeting
Abilene Christian 2 2 0 .500 Lost 1 2011
Austin Peay 13 9 0 .591 Lost 4 1949
Central Arkansas 15 9 0 .625 Lost 4 1951
Eastern Kentucky 1 3 0 .250 Won 1 2022
Tarleton State 1 5 0 .167 Lost 4 2012
West Florida 1 2 0 .333 Lost 2 2016
West Georgia 23 14 0 .622 Lost 1 1983
TOTAL 56 44 0 .560

Rivalries: UNA and APSU played annually from 1949–62 and again from 1975–78 before renewing their rivalry as ASUN opponents in 2022 following a 44-year hiatus; the series now continues in the UAC, with UNA holding a 13-9 overall advantage. UNA’s history with Central Arkansas dates to 1951, while its rivalry with West Georgia began in 1983. Both developed into familiar Gulf South Conference matchups before eventually continuing in the UAC. UNA and West Florida first met as GSC opponents in 2016 and 2017, then played again during UNA’s first Division I transition season in 2018. UWF leads that series 2-1. UNA also has previous Division II history with Abilene Christian and Tarleton State, with first meetings in 2011 (in Cowboys Stadium) and 2012, respectively.

Nice Lions, I remember always wanting to get to play you guys (as well as a couple of others) in Florence, but we never quite made it there. I remember my biggest disappointment was the playoff game against Chadron in 2007. I was on the road back to Abilene and listening on the radio. We were up 49-20 going into the 4th qtr and end up losing 76-73 in triple OT. It was the first time that the old adage that defense wins championships hit home. It hit again the next year when we beat WTA&M 93-68, only to lose to NWMS the next game (whom we had beaten in the first game of that season).

It's nice seeing the history and depth of the UAC. It's why we know this is going to be a good season for a great conference.

A great interview with coach KP.

https://youtu.be/07i8NQIvpkA?si=0JwHa-2cMECxgb8u

(08-21-2026 09:42 PM)Outsider Wrote:  Nice Lions, I remember always wanting to get to play you guys (as well as a couple of others) in Florence, but we never quite made it there. I remember my biggest disappointment was the playoff game against Chadron in 2007. I was on the road back to Abilene and listening on the radio. We were up 49-20 going into the 4th qtr and end up losing 76-73 in triple OT. It was the first time that the old adage that defense wins championships hit home. It hit again the next year when we beat WTA&M 93-68, only to lose to NWMS the next game (whom we had beaten in the first game of that season).

It's nice seeing the history and depth of the UAC. It's why we know this is going to be a good season for a great conference.

OMG! That’s wild. I certainly understand the disappointments along with the highs. One of UNA’s was getting to the semis in 2005 vs. NW Missouri for a chance to play for another title at home. The Lions fell short 25-24. Of course, a decade ago, UNA and NWMSU met in the 2016 D2 championship game with the Bearkats winning in a blizzard.

One thing ALL of us need to do better this year is play better defense. If anyone argues that the UAC doesn't play defense, I won't defend the UAC. As aggressive, and better, as ACU has gotten on defense, we still haven't played to a level that we should. It's no wonder we haven't sent a team any further into the playoffs. I know there is an issue with the way that Texas teams tend to scheme in general, and it's always skewed towards offense. When you look at defensive stats though, the UAC is clearly behind. Is this one stat the only stat? No, but I also know it's not the only stat where the UAC would fall behind.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rankin...53338.html

(08-27-2026 10:04 AM)Outsider Wrote:  One thing ALL of us need to do better this year is play better defense. If anyone argues that the UAC doesn't play defense, I won't defend the UAC. As aggressive, and better, as ACU has gotten on defense, we still haven't played to a level that we should. It's no wonder we haven't sent a team any further into the playoffs. I know there is an issue with the way that Texas teams tend to scheme in general, and it's always skewed towards offense. When you look at defensive stats though, the UAC is clearly behind. Is this one stat the only stat? No, but I also know it's not the only stat where the UAC would fall behind.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rankin...53338.html

Mike Leach still haunts Texas Football from the other side.

Those malicious beatings Tech gave Nebraska a once proud football dynasty caused Texas HS Football to change forever.

Defense has finally started gaining traction again but it won’t happen overnight. Need some more Buddy Ryan’s without the Buddy Ryan baggage.