The 2014 football season for the Tarleton State University football team got off to a different beat when Head Coach Carey Fowler opted to hold training camp at Fort Hood, as a means to solidify bonds shared by his players. Regardless of age or class, the Texan head coach made it paramount to instill a sense of not only camaraderie, but also family. 

The Texans’ season would begin in Canyon, Texas against the Buffalos of West Texas A&M University. The Texans came out strong, scoring the game’s first touchdown. Colin Strahan and Cody Burtscher’s contributions on the ground resulted in 298 total rushing yards, and paved the way to the Texans getting their second win in a row against their Lone Star Conference rivals. 

Consecutives wins against an opponent like the Buffalos not only generated memorable moments for fans, but posed as some of the most memorable moments of their collegiate careers. 

As the first win of the season now sat in the “rear-view”, Tarleton would then face the Panthers of the Florida Institute of Technology, in which the Texans narrowly lost by a margin of six points at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Despite just falling short, the characteristic high-flying offense witnessed this year was all but diminishing in potency. 

The Texans would eclipse the 500 total yard mark the following week against bitter rival Midwestern State University; however, the Texans encountered their second straight loss, falling to the Mustangs 23-27.

Oct. 4th, 2014 would prove an early test for a then unknown rematch against the Lions of Texas A&M University-Commerce.  The Texans found themselves outgained in total yardage for the first time of the 2014 season (348 yards compared to the Lions’ 369 yards) that culminated into a third consecutive loss. 

Arguably the highlight (fanatical perspective) performance of the season came against the Javelinas of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The stands were packed for Tarleton’s 2014 Homecoming, as the Javelinas produced no answer to an all-out offensive assault. Texan quarterback Collin Strahan threw for 349 yards, and one rushing touchdown. The defense led by Marc Martinez allowed 42 points that came after the Texans had established what ultimately became a milestone win. 

As spirits remained high, records were broken. Senior receiver Clifton Rhodes III hauled in his 189th career reception (previous 40 year TSU record-188 yards) in Black Water Draw, New Mexico against the Greyhounds of East New Mexico University. Aside from records being set, Collin Strahan utilized his platform to throw for 486 passing yards (four passing touchdowns), in addition to his 157 on the ground (two rushing touchdowns).

The defense and offense displayed another simultaneous star performance as they beat McMurry University 64-7 on the road in Abeline. To gain clarity as to how a score broaches such degree of lopsidedness, consider that the Texans outrushed McMurry with 322 yards to McMurry’s 97 yards. 

As the Texans stood at 4-3 they entered their home final against Angelo State University, which had been predicted to be the Lone Star Conference match-up of the season. Despite a prolific effort after losing quarterback Collin Strahan on his first play, Zed Woerner led an assault that nearly won the game in the final seconds. Ultimately, the Texans would fall just short, losing by a slim margin of three points (34-31) after the Rams were the last to reach the endzone with 31 seconds remaining in the game. 

At 4-4, the Texans did all but repeat their performance against the Lions of Commerce. Woerner would throw for 476 yards (four passing touchdowns), only to yet again come up just short. Henshaw’s last second attempt for a redeeming score fell just one yard short outside the end zone.   

The Texans faced a rematch against Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on Nov. 15. Check out jtacnews.com for the results.