The Wild West | A West Texas Outlaws Dynasty

[St. Francisco]

 

[St. Francisco]

2014 TEAM ROSTER

 

[St. Francisco]

2014 PRESEASON PREVIEW

TOP PROGRAMS

TOP PLAYERS

 

[St. Francisco]

In the interest of achieving my goal of getting at least five years in with the Outlaws, I will be doing a quick simulation of this season since we're one of the worst teams in the country. I'll give short summaries of each game, as well as news from around the league.

 

[fanaddict]

Read the first half of the title, this isn't about that Will Smith movie, haha.

 

[Rylo]

Haha hell yeah man I was close. I have not been here in a while, but it is still looking good my man.

 

[St. Francisco]

WEEK ONE
BYE WEEK

WEEK TWO
TEXAS TECH 23, WEST TEXAS 20 (OT)​

The Outlaws may have lost the majority of their star power to graduation, but they aren't ready to accept their role as a Sun Belt bottom-feeder just yet. In their fourth annual season-opening rivalry game against Texas Tech, WTU came fractions away from upsetting their BCS foes for the first time in school history, taking the Red Raiders all the way to overtime. But while the Outlaws were forced to settle for a field goal on their first OT possession, Texas Tech ended things with their third touchdown of the day. In his first collegiate action, freshman quarterback Brandon Preston completed just 9 of 24 passes for 152 yards before leaving the game with a mild concussion that won't keep him out past a few days. He was replaced by senior Charles Dickson, who completed 7 of 17 passes for 44 yards and a game-tying touchdown that sent the match into overtime. Second-year freshman Reggie Robinson made quite the impression in his first game, racking up 93 yards on four receptions, while Cam Beach had a team-leading seven catches for 46 yards. Groundwise, runningbacks Eddie Rucker and Tyree Melton combined for 144 yards and a touchdown off 34 carries. Defensively, the team recorded two sacks and forced two turnovers, but also allowed 461 yards of total offense in the loss.

WEEK THREE
WEST TEXAS 30, NEW MEXICO ST. 21​

The offense racked up over 400 total offensive yards, and the defense recorded three turnovers as the Outlaws' earned their first mark in the win column by besting New Mexico State 30-21 for the second straight year. Freshman quarterback Brandon Preston only completed 40% of his passes, but he did throw for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, showing flashes of brilliance in the victory. Reggie Robinson continued his surprising play early in the season, catching four balls for a team-leading 84 yards, while sophomore tight end Van Ricks had six catches for 60 yards and a score. But the offense's main catalyst was freshman runningback Eddie Rucker, who rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown off 24 carries for an average of 4.9 yards per touch. Defensively, the team was led by true sophomore Nate Williams (CB), who recorded three tackles and two game-changing interceptions to put the offense in a position to win the game.

WEEK FOUR
BYE WEEK

WEEK FIVE
BAYLOR 35, WEST TEXAS 7​

Up against their second Big XII opponent of the year, the Outlaws floundered, managing just over 250 yards of total offense and one trip to the endzone in a 35-7 loss to Baylor (2-2, 0-1). The Bears were led by junior backup runningback B.J. Allen, who in his relief role for injured starter Jacob Bennett rushed for an incredible 257 yards and three touchdowns off 38 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per touch. In addition, senior quarterback Bryce Petty completed 13 of 19 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns as Baylor had little problems imposing their will on a below-average WTU defense. On the other side of the ball, Brandon Preston had a decent game, completing 13 of 24 passes for 102 yards, while Eddie Rucker and Tyree Melton combined for 162 yards and the team's only touchdown off 29 carries. Defensively, the Outlaws failed to record a single sack, forced just one turnover, allowed 468 total offensive yards, and gave up five touchdowns in six redzone trips.

WEEK SIX
VILLANOVA 34, WEST TEXAS 19​

West Texas' out-of-conference schedule is mercifully over after a 34-19 loss to Villanova (3-1, 1-0). While the defense did record three sacks and force four turnovers, they also allowed nearly 500 yards of total offense in the loss. Meanwhile, their own offense racked up 355 yards, but struggled to sustain drives, converting just three of sixteen 3rd down attempts...and even when they did manage to get within striking distance, they were forced to settle for three points instead of seven, kicking field goals in three of their four redzone trips. Brandon Preston's accuracy issues continued as the freshman quarterback completed just 32% of his 34 passes for 234 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His go-to man was tight end Van Ricks, who led the offense with six catches for 139 yards and the team's only touchdown, while Cam Beach caught four balls for 86 yards. Meanwhile, Eddie Rucker was limited to 90 yards off 18 carries on the ground. With three losses in their first four games, the Outlaws will look to turn things around next week when they open up their Sun Belt schedule with a home game against the UAB Blazers (3-2, 2-1).

 

[Senser81]

Kind of an inconsistent start, giving up only 23 points to Texas Tech but then getting stomped by Villanova. Hard to predict how you will do in the Sun Belt. I thought you were selling your team short at the start of the year when you claimed you had a bad team, but you apparently know your team better than I do.

 

[St. Francisco]

Kind of an inconsistent start, giving up only 23 points to Texas Tech but then getting stomped by Villanova. Hard to predict how you will do in the Sun Belt. I thought you were selling your team short at the start of the year when you claimed you had a bad team, but you apparently know your team better than I do.

I'd call it a transition year...we just lost so many defensive starters. So long as progression and recruiting goes good, I'd say we'll be ready to dominate the Sun Belt by 2016.

 

[St. Francisco]

AROUND THE LEAGUE
-WEEK SEVEN-

 

[St. Francisco]

#1 Texas vs. #2 Oklahoma next week!

 

[St. Francisco]

WEEK SEVEN
UAB 34, WEST TEXAS 6​

UAB's junior quarterback Mike Miller proved to be too much for WTU's defense to handle in their conference opener as he completed 21 of 39 passes for 300 yards, rushed for another 44 yards, and scored all four of the Blazers' touchdowns on Saturday to lead his team to a 34-6 rout over the Outlaws. A good amount of the credit must also go to the defense, who held West Texas to 255 total offensive yards, and recorded three sacks and two interceptions in the win. On the other side of the ball, freshman quarterback Brandon Preston had one of his worst outings of the season, completing 11 of 29 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns for a QB rating of 49.6. Eddie Rucker racked up 110 yards off 21 carries on the ground for a solid performance, but it wasn't nearly enough to carry the offense, as they failed to reach the endzone for the first time this season.

WEEK EIGHT
BYE WEEK

WEEK NINE
TROY 28, WEST TEXAS 0​

WTU's out-of-conference schedule was a rough road to begin the season, and those woes have continued in the Sun Belt. Just two weeks after suffering a 34-6 loss to UAB, the Outlaws were shut out on their home turf 28-0 by the Trojans for their fourth straight loss. Troy's junior quarterback Ryan Hackett led his team to victory, completing 20 of 34 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, and also rushing for 73 yards and another score on the ground to account for all four of the team's touchdowns on Saturday, and spearhead an offense that racked up 507 total yards. Hackett wasn't the only one who excelled on the ground, as runningbacks Brodie Dingle and Mike Smith combined for 184 yards off 29 carries. Through the air, senior Jaquon Robinson led the receiving corps with ten catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. As for the Outlaws, their offense was limited to a pitiful 189 total yards in their first shutout of the season. The team converted just one of eleven 3rd down attempts, failed to score a single point in two redzone trips, and lost two fumbles. Still, Brandon Preston showed improvement under center, completing 56% of his 25 passes for 132 yards, while Cam Beach had five catches for 57 yards. Defensively, the team recorded four sacks and two interceptions, and managed to hold Troy to a relatively low score given their high amount of offensive yardage.

WEEK TEN
WEST TEXAS 38, UTEP 21​

The Outlaws only managed 307 yards of total offense, but capitalized off three forced turnovers and used a handful of big-time offensive plays to smash UTEP 38-21, and earn their second win of the year. But the victory did not come without a cost, as freshman quarterback Brandon Preston completed 6 of 12 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game shortly before halftime with an injury. Doctors would later diagnose him with a torn hamstring, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Charles Dickson stepped in to finish the game, completing 8 of 21 passes for for 52 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Leading the receiving corps was Cam Beach, who had six catches for 77 yards and a score, while second-year freshman Reggie Robinson caught five balls for 57 yards and two touchdowns. Eddie Rucker led the offensive charge on the ground, rushing for 132 yards and scoring twice off 19 carries for an average of nearly seven yards per touch. Defensively, the Outlaws recorded one sack, one interception, recovered two fumbles, and limited the Miners to just 14 points in four redzone trips.

WEEK ELEVEN
ARKANSAS ST. 38, WEST TEXAS 28​

The Outlaws began the fourth quarter with a 28-16 lead, and looked well on their way to scoring back-to-back victories for the first time this season. But the Red Wolves refused to go away quietly, scoring 22 unanswered points to end the game and walk away with a 38-28 victory against a demoralized West Texas squad who felt the sting of their sixth loss of the season. In his first full game as starter since the injury to starter Brandon Preston, senior quarterback Charles Dickson completed 14 of 27 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His go-to man was senior Cam Beach, who had a career day with six catches for an incredible 154 yards. Groundwise, runningbacks Eddie Rucker and Tyree Melton combined for 131 yards and three touchdowns off 26 carries. As for the defense, third-year sophomore Thomas Bray (CB) recorded two interceptions, but the defense as a whole allowed 442 yards of total offense, a 70% conversion rate on 3rd down, and gave up 31 points in six redzone trips. On the other side of the ball, Arkansas State's junior quarterback Zach Davis completed 18 of 33 passes for 203 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions to lead the offense, and also rushed for another 69 yards, while senior Frankie Jackson rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown off 18 carries.

 

[St. Francisco]

Found this noteworthy. In week 11, #9 Oklahoma beat Texas A&M 63-23. Senior quarterback Blake Bell had an incredible performance, completing 16 of 20 (80%) passes for 263 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception for a QB rating of 295.9. He also carried the ball seven times for 31 yards and another score.

 

[St. Francisco]

AROUND THE LEAGUE
-WEEK TWELVE-

 

[Senser81]

Seems like your premonition for a lackluster season was correct...

 

[St. Francisco]

WEEK TWELVE
WEST TEXAS 20, MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST. 10​

With their season all but over, the Outlaws made the decision to place second-year freshman Brett Brown into the starting spot at quarterback to give him some game time experience before what is sure to be a heated competition for the starting job next spring. In his first collegiate action, Brown completed just 10 of 30 passes for 148 yards, but did throw two touchdowns and one interception to lead his team to their third victory of the season. His go-to man was sophomore tight end Van Ricks, who had four catches for 111 yards and two scores. Groundwise, runningbacks Eddie Rucker and Tyree Melton led the offense with 181 yards off 31 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per touch. But the defense played the biggest role in the win, recording two sacks and four interceptions as they held the Blue Raiders to less than 300 total offensive yards and one touchdown. With three games left to play, there is still a glimmer of hope for the team as they could win out and qualify for a bowl.

WEEK THIRTEEN
WEST TEXAS 31, UL LAFAYETTE 24​

For the first time this season, the Outlaws have earned back-to-back wins, forcing three turnovers on their way to beating UL Lafayette 31-24 on the road. Freshman QB Brett Brown showed tremendous improvement in his second career start, completing 15 of 27 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. But the offense's biggest weapon of the day was second-year freshman Eddie Rucker, who rushed for 129 yards and two scores off 26 carries, and also had two catches for 61 yards and another touchdown. A good amount of the credit must also go to a constantly-improving defensive unit, who recorded one sack, one interception, and recovered two fumbles to give their team a +3 turnover differential on the day. After a dreadful 1-5 start to the season, the Outlaws have now won three of their last four games.

WEEK FOURTEEN
UL MONROE 21, WEST TEXAS 14​

Dreams of rallying at the end of the season and becoming bowl eligible were dashed on Saturday in a 21-14 loss to UL Monroe, who put up just enough offense to earn their fifth win of the season. WTU's Brett Brown didn't fare very well under center, completing just 40% of his 32 passes for 195 yards and two interceptions. A bright spot on the day was the play of sophomore tight end Van Ricks, who continued to be Brown's favorite target by catching eight balls for 148 yards, and also scoring on the ground on a trick play. On the ground, Eddie Rucker had a decent outing, rushing for 91 yards and a score off 23 carries. Defensively, the team did everything they could, recording an incredible eight sacks, two interceptions, and limiting the Warhawks to 21 points in five redzone trips, but the ineptitude of their own offense ultimately cost them the game. True freshman Nick Bowers (DE) led the team with ten tackles and three sacks, while sophomore Thomas Bray (CB) recorded his team-leading seventh interception of the year. The team also lost senior Cam Beach (WR) to an abdominal tear that will keep him out of the season finale game. Beach finished his final collegiate year with 44 catches for 572 yards and two touchdowns.

WEEK FIFTEEN
WEST TEXAS 34, TEXAS ST. 31​

A lackluster season has ended on a high note as the Outlaws outlasted their in-state rivals 34-31 to earn their fifth victory of the season in the finale. Brett Brown had a decent outing under center, completing 15 of 35 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His go-to man was tight end Van Ricks, who recorded his third triple-digit game of the season with seven catches for 131 yards. Naturally, it was freshman runningback Eddie Rucker who did most of the heavy lifting, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns off 25 carries for an average of six yards per touch. His backup, Tyree Melton, carried the ball nine times for 53 yards and a score. Defensively, the team recorded two sacks and two interceptions, doing just enough in the end to fend off a feisty Bobcats squad. Sophomore Thomas Bray finished the regular season on a high note, recording his 8th interception of the year, which puts him in a tie for 3rd place in the nation for most picks this season. It also justifies his selection as a 1st team All-American at the beginning of the year, an achievement that no one else in school history has accomplished.

 

[St. Francisco]

2014 FINAL CONFERENCE STANDINGS

 

[Senser81]

Interesting year. The loss to UL Monroe was a downer, but you probably weren't really going to get into a bowl game even with 6 wins. It looked like your QB situation kind of sorted itself out on its own with the injuries. Did you redshirt your best RB this year? I can't recall. W. Texas needs to step up their game and make a move from the Sun Belt to a real conference soon!

Indiana really mopped up the Northeast Conference. Geography aside, that should be West Texas' next move.

 

[St. Francisco]

Interesting year. The loss to UL Monroe was a downer, but you probably weren't really going to get into a bowl game even with 6 wins. It looked like your QB situation kind of sorted itself out on its own with the injuries. Did you redshirt your best RB this year? I can't recall. W. Texas needs to step up their game and make a move from the Sun Belt to a real conference soon!

Indiana really mopped up the Northeast Conference. Geography aside, that should be West Texas' next move.

I did redshirt true freshman Lee Robbins (QB), who will definitely be in the mix for starter next season alongside a healed Brandon Preston and Brett Brown.

I do want to make a move out of the Sun Belt eventually, but I wanna win the conference title first. Which will likely take a while.

 

[St. Francisco]

Heisman voting poll is up:

http://www.virtualsportsnetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?121754-Vote-For-the-2014-Heisman-Winner