Southland Football Week 1 Roundup: Historic Firsts and Streak-Busting Wins

The opening weekend of Southland Conference football delivered fireworks, history, and redemption. UTRGV celebrated its first-ever program win in a dominant debut, while Northwestern State finally ended its 20-game losing streak. Elsewhere, McNeese, UIW, and HCU flexed their strength in statement wins.

UTRGV 66, Sul Ross State 0

• QB Eddie Lee Marburger: 18-of-19, 365 yards, 5 TDs

• Defense forced four straight three-and-outs to start the game.

No. 4/5 UIW 31, Eastern Washington 21

• QB Richard Torres: 332 yards, 1 TD

• WR Jameson Garcia: 6 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD

• RB Harlan Dixon: 75 yards, 2 TDs

McNeese 54, Louisiana Christian 9

• QB Jake Strong: 22-of-28, 329 yards, 3 TDs

• Team set school record with 664 total yards

• Head coach Matt Viator earned his 79th career win at McNeese

Northwestern State 20, Alcorn State 10

• WR Ty Moore: 1 receiving TD, 1 fumble recovery TD

• DB Kaden Mackey: one-handed interception in end zone

• Defense forced three turnovers in first half

HCU 69, Arkansas Baptist 0

• RB Xai’Shaun Edwards: 17 carries, 177 yards, 4 TDs

• RB Darryle Evans: 18 carries, 88 yards, 3 TDs

• Team rushed for 401 yards

Troy 38, Nicholls 20

• RB Miequle Brock Jr.: 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 catch)

• K Gabriel Showalter: 2 FGs

#16 SMU 42, East Texas A&M 13

• QB Eric Rodriguez: 1-yard rushing TD

• K Ozlo Rigby: 2-for-3 FGs, including 32-yarder

Houston 27, Stephen F. Austin 0

• LB Jaydon Southard: 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL

Louisiana Tech 24, Southeastern 0

• LB KK Reno: 10 tackles

• Defense tallied 3 sacks

Southland Weekly Honors

• Co-Teams of the Week:

  • UTRGV Vaqueros – First program win, 66–0 statement in debut

  • Northwestern State Demons – Snapped 20-game losing streak in front of home fans

• Offensive Player of the Week: Eddie Lee Marburger, UTRGV QB – 365 yards, 5 TDs

• Defensive Player of the Week: Kaden Mackey, Northwestern State DB – game-changing interception and lockdown coverage

• Special Teams Player of the Week: Ty Moore, Northwestern State WR – scored on fumble recovery and a receiving TD

Southland Week 1 Stat Leaders

Passing:

• Richard Torres (UIW) – 27 completions, 332 yards, 1 TD

• Jake Strong (McNeese) – 22 completions, 329 yards, 3 TDs

• Eddie Lee Marburger (UTRGV) – 18 completions, 365 yards, 5 TDs

Rushing:

• Xai’Shaun Edwards (HCU) – 17 carries, 177 yards, 4 TDs

• Darryle Evans (HCU) – 18 carries, 88 yards, 3 TDs

• Harlan Dixon (UIW) – 14 carries, 75 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving:

• Jameson Garcia (UIW) – 6 receptions, 146 yards, 1 TD

• Ty Moore (NSU) – 1 reception TD + 1 fumble recovery TD

• Xayvion Noland (UTRGV) – 50-yard TD reception

Defense:

• Kaden Mackey (NSU) – 1 interception in end zone

• Jaydon Southard (SFA) – 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL

• KK Reno (SLU) – 10 tackles

Special Teams:

• Ty Moore (NSU) – 1 fumble recovery TD

• Ozlo Rigby (ETAM) – 2 field goals, including 32-yarder

Week 2 Southland Schedule

• East Texas A&M at Florida State – 11:00 A.M. (ACCN)

• Northwestern State at Minnesota – 11:00 A.M. (B1G Network)

• HCU at Eastern Kentucky – 5:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• South Dakota at Lamar – 6:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• West Georgia at Nicholls – 6:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• Southeastern at Murray State – 6:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• UTRGV at Prairie View A&M – 6:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• SFA at Abilene Christian – 7:00 P.M. (ESPN+)

• McNeese at Louisiana – 7:00 P.M. (ESPN+)