Week 5 Southland Rundown: Statement Wins and Strong Openers

Southeastern and Stephen F. Austin opened Southland play with big victories, while UIW and Lamar wrapped up non-conference action in dominant fashion. Here’s a look back at the weekend:

RV Southeastern 45, RV UTRGV 31
Southeastern Louisiana racked up a season-high 540 yards in a 45-31 win over UTRGV at Strawberry Stadium. The Lions found balance on offense, rushing for 288 yards and throwing for 252 with quarterbacks Carson Camp (130 yards, 2 TDs) and Kyle Lowe (122 yards, 1 TD) splitting reps. Deantre Jackson led the ground game with 121 yards and a score, while Lowe added 92 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jaylon Domingeaux became SLU’s first 100-yard receiver this season with 107 yards and a touchdown. For UTRGV, Eddie Lee Marburger passed for 218 yards and three scores while rushing for 57 yards.

RV/RV SFA 34, McNeese 17
Turnovers proved costly for McNeese as Stephen F. Austin turned three mistakes into points in a 34-17 win before more than 10,000 at Homer Bryce Stadium. QB Sam Vidlak threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns, hitting Blaine Green once and Kylon Harris twice. Jerrell Wimbley carried the load with 171 rushing yards, including 110 and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The win snapped SFA’s four-game skid against McNeese and was its first home victory over the Cowboys since 2011.

No. RV/24 UIW 38, No. 12/13 Abilene Christian 7
Incarnate Word delivered a statement, rolling past No. 12/13 Abilene Christian 38-7 to extend its home win streak to nine. The Cardinals pounded out 301 rushing yards, led by Lontrell Turner (118 yards) and QB EJ Colson (103 yards, plus 122 passing and three total TDs). Jalen Walthall added a touchdown reception, while linebacker Declan Williams fueled the defense with an interception, a sack, and two tackles for loss. UIW has now won 25 of its last 26 home games since 2021.

No. 22/RV Lamar 35, Central Arkansas 32
Lamar outlasted Central Arkansas 35-32 in Beaumont, earning just its second-ever win over the Bears—and its first at home. Xavier Coleman led the ground game with 98 yards on 15 carries, while Damien Moore added 29 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, senior Kristian Pugh paced the Cardinals with nine tackles and an interception, while Kevin Thomas added another pick.

RV NC Central 50, East Texas A&M 42
In a shootout that produced nearly 950 yards of offense, East Texas A&M fell 50-42 to North Carolina Central in its home opener. QB Ron Peace returned from injury with 356 passing yards and two TDs, while Erik Rodriguez added 100 yards and two scores. Three receivers—Christian Jourdain (119), Tanner Harrison (107), and Devin Matthews (103)—topped the 100-yard mark. On defense, Lavon Williams (17 tackles), Kyree Anderson (15), and Koby-Sebasyen King (14) stood out despite the loss.

Eastern Kentucky 27, Nicholls 7
Nicholls managed only an opening-drive touchdown in a 27-7 loss at Eastern Kentucky. QB Deuce Hogan threw for 213 yards, while Miequle Brock totaled 124 yards (67 receiving, 57 rushing). Shane Lee added a career-high 65 rushing yards, but the Colonels’ offense couldn’t break through after the first quarter.

Week 6 Conference Matchups

• Nicholls at Lamar – 3:00 p.m., Beaumont, Texas (ESPN+)

• Southeastern at McNeese – 6:00 p.m., Lake Charles, La. (ESPN+)

• East Texas A&M at Northwestern State – 6:00 p.m., Natchitoches, La. (ESPN+)

• SFA at UIW – 6:00 p.m., San Antonio, Texas (ESPN+)

• HCU at UTRGV – 7:00 p.m., Edinburg, Texas (ESPN+)