2024 Tarleton State Texans football team

2024 Tarleton State Texans football
NCAA Division I Second Round, L 31–42 at South Dakota
Conference	United Athletic Conference
Ranking
STATS	No. 14
FCS Coaches	No. 14
Record	10–4 (6–2 UAC)
Head coach	Todd Whitten (15th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mason Miller (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator	Tyrone Nix (3rd season)
Home stadium	Memorial Stadium
Seasons ←  2023 2025 →

2024 United Athletic Conference standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 15 Abilene Christian $^		7	–	1					9	–	5
No. 14 Tarleton State ^		6	–	2					10	–	4
No. 22 Eastern Kentucky ^		6	–	2					8	–	5
Southern Utah		6	–	2					7	–	5
Central Arkansas		3	–	5					6	–	6
Austin Peay		3	–	5					4	–	8
North Alabama		3	–	5					3	–	9
West Georgia*		1	–	7					4	–	7
Utah Tech		1	–	7					1	–	11
$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Note: West Georgia is ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Tarleton State Texans football team represented Tarleton State University as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Texans were coached by fifteenth-year head coach Todd Whitten and played at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 24	2:30 p.m.	McNeese *	No. 21	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN2	W 26–23	16,125
August 31	6:00 p.m.	at Baylor *	No. 21	McLane Stadium Waco, TX	ESPN+	L 3–45	42,272
September 7	6:00 p.m.	at Houston Christian *	No. 20	Husky Stadium Houston, TX	ESPN+	W 35–18	2,080
September 21	6:00 p.m.	at North Alabama	No. 16	Braly Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+	W 28–14	7,432
September 28	6:00 p.m.	Southeastern Louisiana *	No. 16	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	W 36–33	22,312
October 5	7:00 p.m.	Southern Utah	No. 14	Eccles Coliseum Cedar City, UT	ESPN+	W 38–37 OT	3,562
October 12	6:00 p.m.	Utah Tech	No. 13	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	W 42–0	22,018
October 26	3:00 p.m.	at Austin Peay	No. 8	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	W 27–17	8,219
November 2	6:00 p.m.	Eastern Kentucky	No. 7	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	L 13–17	15,281
November 9	1:00 p.m.	at West Georgia	No. 14	University Stadium Carrollton, GA	ESPN+	W 38–21	2,634
November 16	6:00 p.m.	No. 14 Abilene Christian	No. 13	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	L 31–35	22,348
November 23	2:00 p.m.	Central Arkansas	No. 16	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX	ESPN+	W 39–14	14,800
November 30	2:00 p.m.	Drake *	No. 14	Memorial Stadium Stephenville, TX (NCAA Division I First Round)	ESPN+	W 43–29	3,583
December 7	2:00 p.m.	at No. 4 South Dakota *	No. 14	DakotaDome Vermillion, SD (NCAA Division I Second Round)	ESPN+	L 31–42	6,231
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

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Game summaries

vs. McNeese

See also: 2024 McNeese Cowboys football team

Game One – McNeese Cowboys (0-0) vs No.21 Tarleton State Texans (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	7	0	3	13	23
No. 21 Texans	16	10	0	0	26

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday August 24, 2024
• Game time: 2:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny, 96 °F (36 °C), SE at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
• Game attendance: 16,125
• Referee: Matthew Jones
• TV announcers (ESPN2): Lowell Galindo (play-by-play) and Fozzy Whittaker (analyst)
• ^[6]

Game information

First quarter (11:12) TAR – Michael James 53-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 02:41, Tarleton State 3–0) (08:16) MCN – Jamaal Levi 43-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 02:56, McNeese 7–3) (04:09) TAR – Derrel Kelley III 1-yard run (Michael James kick) (Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 04:01, Tarleton State 10–7) (03:23) TAR – Kasyus Kurns 31-yard fumble recovery (kick failed) (Tarleton State 16–7) Second quarter (07:35) TAR – Keylan Johnson 26-yard pass from Victor Gabalis (Michael James kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 04:34, Tarleton State 23–7) (03:10) TAR – Michael James 34-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 03:05, Tarleton State 26–7) Third quarter (00:46) MCN – Tyler Larco 36-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 05:58, Tarleton State 26–10) Fourth quarter (09:32) MCN – D'Angelo Durham 7-yard run (kick failed) (Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–16) (04:15) MCN – Matthew McCallister 80-yard pass from Clifton McDowell (Tyler Larco kick) (Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 00:11, Tarleton State 26–23)

Statistics	MCN	TAR
First downs	20	19
Total yards	66–445	69–339
Rushing yards	46–200	43–195
Passing yards	245	144
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14—20–1	12–26–0
Time of possession	25:32	34:28

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
McNeese	Passing	Clifton McDowell	13/19, 242 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Clifton McDowell	20 carries, 67 yards
	Receiving	Matthew McCallister	1 reception, 80 yards, TD
Tarleton State	Passing	Victor Gabelis	11/18, 140 yards, TD
	Rushing	Kayvon Britten	25 carries, 164 yards
	Receiving	Darius Cooper	6 receptions, 85 yards

at Baylor (FBS)

See also: 2024 Baylor Bears football team

Game Two – No. 21 Tarleton State Texans (1–0) vs Baylor Bears (FBS) (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 21 Texans	0	0	3	0	3
Bears (FBS)	21	7	7	10	45

at McLane Stadium • Waco, TX

• Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 89 °F (32 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Pete Souza (play-by-play) and Brad Hopkins (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	BAY
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Baylor	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Houston Christian

See also: 2024 Houston Christian Huskies football team

Game Three – No. 20 Tarleton State Texans (1–1) vs Houston Christian Huskies (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 20 Texans	0	0	0	0	0
Huskies	0	0	0	0	0

at Husky Stadium • Houston, TX

• Date: Saturday September 7, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	HCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Houston Christian	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at North Alabama

See also: 2024 North Alabama Lions football team

Game Four – No. 16 Tarleton State Texans (2–1) vs North Alabama Lions (0–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 16 Texans	0	7	14	7	28
Lions	3	3	8	0	14

at Braly Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM CST
• Game weather: SE at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy • Temp: 89 °F (32 °C)
• Game attendance: 7,432
• Referee: Gabriel Tomlin
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray (play-by-play) and Bryan Neece (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (7:57) UNA – Scott Payne 20-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 72 yards, 7:03; UNA 3-0) Second quarter (9:05) TAR – Kayvon Britten 96-yard rush (Adrian Guzman kick) (Drive: 1 play, 96 yards, 0:11; TAR 7-3) (0:14) UNA – Scott Payne 22-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:28; TAR 7-6) Third quarter (10:10) TAR – Kayvon Britten 2-yard rush (Adrian Guzman kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:48; TAR 14-6) (6:42) UNA – Jayvian Allen 10-yard rush (Ben Harris pass to Kaleb Heatherly) (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:28; Tie 14-14) (5:57) TAR – Kayvon Britten 65-yard rush (Adrian Guzman kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 71 yards, 0:39; TAR 21-14) Fourth quarter (3:22) TAR – Kayvon Britten 9-yard rush (Adrian Guzman kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:51; TAR 28-14)

Statistics	TAR	UNA
First downs	10	24
Total yards	334	385
Rushing yards	284	189
Passing yards	50	196
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	6-13	20-35-1
Time of possession	22:08	37:52

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing	Victor Gabalis	6/13, 50 yards
	Rushing	Kayvon Britten	21 carries, 273 yards, 4 TD
	Receiving	Darius Cooper	2 receptions, 33 yards
North Alabama	Passing	Ben Harris	7/12, 100 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	TJ Smith	14 carries, 72 yards
	Receiving	Dakota Warfield	6 receptions, 91 yards

vs. Southeastern Louisiana

See also: 2024 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team

Game Five – Southeastern Louisiana Lions (1–3) vs No. 16 Tarleton State Texans (3–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	16	10	7	33
No. 16 Texans	0	14	15	7	36

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 6:03 p.m.
• Game weather: Wind: NW 8 mph • Weather: Clear • Temperature: 86
• Game attendance: 22,312
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SELA	TAR
First downs	22	24
Total yards	73–396	67–416
Rushing yards	44–236	41–213
Passing yards	160	203
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	18–29–1	15–26–1
Time of possession	31:12	28:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southeastern Louisiana	Passing	Eli Sawyer	17/27, 155 yards, 1 INT
	Rushing	Antonio Martin, Jr.	32 carries, 206 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Jaylon Domingeaux	4 receptions, 59 yards
Tarleton State	Passing	Victor Gabalis	15/26, 203 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kayvon Britten	28 carries, 174 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Darius Cooper	8 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TD

vs. Southern Utah

See also: 2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

Game Six – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (2–3) vs No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (4–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Thunderbirds	0	0	0	0	0
No. 14 Texans	0	0	0	0	0

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SUU	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Utah	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Utah Tech

See also: 2024 Utah Tech Trailblazers football team

Game Seven – Utah Tech Trailblazers (0–6) vs No. 13 Tarleton State Texans (5–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Trailblazers	0	0	0	0	0
No. 13 Texans	0	0	0	0	0

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
• Game time: 5:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UTU	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Utah Tech	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Austin Peay

See also: 2024 Austin Peay Governors football team

Game Eight – No. 8 Tarleton State Texans (6–1) vs Austin Peay Governors (3–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Texans	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Eastern Kentucky

See also: 2024 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

Game Nine – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (4–4) vs No. 7 Tarleton State Texans (7–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	0	0	0	0
No. 7 Texans	0	0	0	0	0

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	EKU	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at West Georgia

See also: 2024 West Georgia Wolves football team

Game Ten – No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (7–2) vs West Georgia Wolves (3–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Texans	0	0	0	0	0
Wolves	0	0	0	0	0

at University Stadium • Carrollton, GA

• Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	UWG
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
West Georgia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. No. 14 Abilene Christian

See also: 2024 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

Game Eleven – No. 14 Abilene Christian Wildcats (7–3) vs No. 13 Tarleton State Texans (8–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Wildcats	10	7	3	15	35
No. 13 Texans	14	0	7	10	31

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SE 13 miles per hour (21 km/h)
• Game attendance: 22,348
• Referee: John Kellermeier
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Gould (play-by-play) and Ethan Schmidt (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (10:52) ACU – Nehemiah Martinez I 5-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:08; Abilene Christian 7–0) (8:50) TAR – Cody Jackson 58-yard pass from Victor Gabalis, Corbin Poston kick (Drive: 4 plays, 85 yards, 1:59; Tied 7–7) (0:21) ACU – Ritse Vaes 32-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 60 yards, 8:29; Abilene Christian 10–7) (0:09) TAR – Darius Cooper 75-yard pass from Victor Gabalis, Corbin Poston kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12; Tarleton State 14–10) Second quarter (12:17) ACU – Javon Gipson 29-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:52; Abilene Christian 17–14) Third quarter (13:25) TAR – Darius Cooper 22-yard pass from Victor Gabalis, Corbin Poston kick (Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:35; Tarleton State 21–17) (1:23) ACU – Ritse Vaes 27-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 87 yards, 7:14; Tarleton State 21–20) Fourth quarter (12:27) TAR – Braelon Bridges 1-yard run, Corbin Poston kick (Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 3:51; Tarleton State 28–20) (9:25) ACU – Sam Hicks 12-yard run, Blayne Taylor pass (Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:56; Tied 28–28) (1:48) TAR – Corbin Poston 25-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 58 yards, 7:37; Tarleton State 31–28) (0:19) ACU – Sam Hicks 1-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 1:29; Abilene Christian 35–31)

Statistics	ACU	TAR
First downs	31	20
Total yards	544	486
Rushing yards	153	182
Passing yards	391	304
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	35–55–0	15–20–0
Time of possession	35:54	24:06

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Abilene Christian	Passing	Maverick McIvor	35/55, 391 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Sam Hicks	22 carries, 135 yards, TD
	Receiving	Blayne Taylor	10 receptions, 168 yards
Tarleton State	Passing	Victor Gabalis	15/20, 304 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Kayvon Britten	22 carries, 101 yards
	Receiving	Darius Cooper	6 receptions, 141 yards, 2 TD

vs. Central Arkansas

See also: 2024 Central Arkansas Bears football team

Game Twelve – Central Arkansas Bears (6–5) vs No. 16 Tarleton State Texans (8–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	0	0	0	0
No. 16 Texans	0	0	0	0	0

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UCA	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Arkansas	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Drake (NCAA Division I playoff–first round)

See also: 2024 Drake Bulldogs football team and 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football postseason

Game Thirteen – Drake Bulldogs (8–2) vs No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (9–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	14	0	7	8	29
No. 14 Texans	3	19	7	14	43

at Memorial Stadium • Stephenville, TX

• Date: Saturday November 30, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Peter Sousa (play-by-play) and Dave Steckel (analyst)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	DRKE	TAR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Drake	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 4 South Dakota (NCAA Division I playoff–second round)

See also: 2024 South Dakota Coyotes football team and 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football postseason

Game Fourteen – No. 14 Tarleton State Texans (10–3) vs No. 4 South Dakota Coyotes (9–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Texans	0	0	0	0	0
No. 4 Coyotes	0	0	0	0	0

at DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD

• Date: Saturday December 7, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	SDAK
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
South Dakota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "Tarleton State announces 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. January 29, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
2. "Tarleton State announces full 12-game Texan Football 2024 schedule, 1st year of playoff eligibility". Tarleton State University, Department of Athletics. January 29, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
3. "Tarleton announces full 12-game football schedule". Empire-Tribune. February 2, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
4. "Tarleton State Football schedule altered, 4 changes to Texans' conference slate". Tarleton State University. June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
5. "Tarleton State Texans Schedule 2024". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
6. "McNeese (0-1 , 0-0) -vs- Tarleton St. (1-0 , 0-0)". Tarleton Sports. August 24, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.