PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana College football team had itself in position to come out of its first ever Sooner Athletic Conference contest with a victory, but saw it slip away late as Southwestern Assemblies of God University scored a touchdown with five seconds left to drop the Wildcats in the SAC opener 20-13 to the Lions Saturday night at Wildcat Field. 

The name of the game for most of the contest was defense as both teams struggled to get moving offensively. The Wildcats struck first in the second quarter as LC took advantage of an 18-yard punt that set the Wildcats up on SAGU’s side of the field, moving into the red zone before calling on Hunter Martensson from 36 yards out, which he converted to give LC a 3-0 lead. 

But just about five minutes later, a SAGU offense that had been stymied for most of the first half hit on one big play, a 44-yard touchdown pass to take the lead with 8:30 to go before halftime, even as Gerald Burton blocked the point after attempt to keep the score at 6-3, which would be the halftime score. 

Midway through the third quarter, the Wildcats knotted the game back up. Canaan Leon took an handoff on an end around play and ran for 43 yards to set up the Wildcats inside the Lion red zone again. However, the drive would stall and Martensson drilled a field goal attempt from 30 yards to even the score at 6-6. 

With the game tied and now in the final 15 minutes, the Wildcats took the advantage first. After a quick three-and-out by the Lions deep in their own territory, a 29-yard punt set up LC at the SAGU 37. And all it took was one play for Devin Briscoe to get around the right edge, break two tackles, and stroll into the end zone to make it 13-6 LC with 11:42 left in the game. 

But on the Lions first offensive play following the Briscoe score, SAGU connected on a 32-yard pass to begin a seven-play drive that ended with a 22-yard touchdown pass to even the score back up at 13-13 with just more than eight minutes left in regulation. 

Both teams started to struggle moving the ball again as a light rain fell over Wildcat Field. But field position became a big ally to SAGU as a personal foul penalty following a punt backed up the Wildcats deep. A quick three-and-out and a 16-yard punt set up the Lions deep in LC territory with less than a minute left. And SAGU took advantage of the opportunity, going on a three-play drive that ended with a 15-yard touchdown pass with just five seconds left in the game to snatch the victory in the contest. 

Devin Briscoe led LC’s attack on the ground with 16 rush attempts for 107 yards and a score. Canaan Leon had three rushes for 64 yards. The Wildcats as a team rushed for 244 yards in the contest. 

It wasn’t the best of games through the air for the Wildcats as Sal Palermo III went six of 19 for 59 yards and an interception before leaving the game in the third quarter. James Powell, Jr. came in and went two of 12 for 46 yards. Canaan Leon added two receptions for 22 yards to his rushing and special teams totals to finish the night with 87 all-purpose yards. Tayvien Cole had a 42-yard reception to make him the top receiver in terms of yards gained. 

Cole Jones was all over the place for the Wildcats defense, finishing the contest with 13 total tackles, seven solo and six assisted. 2.5 of his tackles happened behind the Lions line of scrimmage for a loss of yards, recovered a fumble, and broke up a pass. D’Mario Weathersby had five tackles, one for loss. Tyren Young forced the fumble that Jones recovered, and Bennie Clark III picked off the Lions QB. 

The Wildcats (0-2, 0-1 SAC) head on the road for the first time in 2021 for their final non-conference contest of the season, a date with NCAA D-I FCS team Abilene Christian. Kickoff between the LC Wildcats and ACU Wildcats (0-1) is set for 6:00 P.M. at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium. 

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PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana College football team had fought back from a 34-7 deficit to take the lead, but after North American University took a late lead the weather dealt a blow to LC’s biggest offensive weapon and the Wildcats dropped its first game as a NAIA member 42-41 to the Stallions Saturday evening at Wildcat Field. 

After the two teams traded turnovers to start the game, Louisiana College jumped out first, taking advantage of good field position near midfield after Cole Jones picked off the NAU QB on fourth down. Four plays later, Sal Palermo III passed out to Devin Briscoe out on the edge who raced 30 yards for the game’s opening score, putting LC up 7-0. 

But that was almost all of the offense the Wildcats could find in the opening half as the Stallions scored 34 straight points, taking a 14-7 lead into the second quarter and then busting that advantage open to 34-7 with just 32 seconds before halftime. 

However, one play seemed to turn the game on its head as Palermo found Zion Williams down the left sideline for a 60-yard gain to the one yard line. On the very next play, Devin Briscoe busted through the line to give LC some momentum heading into the half, even while trailing 34-14. 

The momentum started at the end of the first half propelled LC into a big third quarter that completely changed the game. After a quick NAU three-and-out and a shanked punt set up LC in Stallion territory, the Wildcats needed just four plays to traverse 72 yards with Palermo finding Micah Dunn for the final eight of them to cut the deficit down to 34-21. 

LC’s momentum grew further on NAU’s next offensive possession as the Wildcat D stuffed the Stallion quarterback on a fourth and one run attempt to turn the ball over on downs at the LC 34. On the very next play, Palermo found Dunn streaking behind the NAU D for a 66 yard pass and catch to make it a one-score game. 

The Wildcats were set up with great field position again as a bad snap on a punt following a three-and-out allowing LC to start at the NAU 19. This time, though, a penalty hurt the flow and LC was held to a 32-yard Hunter Martensson field goal that made it 34-31 NAU. 

After another Stallion punt, LC moved more methodically down the field, using 11 plays and four minutes to go 56 yards, including a pair of third and long conversions to Dunn and Canaan Leon. This drive ended with LC getting out the big hole that had been dug and when Briscoe powered in for his second two-yard touchdown of the game, LC was back on top at 38-34. 

LC even extended the lead to start the fourth quarter. After another fourth down stop by the defense, the Wildcats again went methodical, using ten plays and taking up nearly four more minutes off the clock before a holding penalty slowed the operation and Martensson had to place through a 27-yard field goal to make the score 41-34 Wildcats. 

But after getting a second chance thanks to a penalty that extended the drive following a failed third and long play, the Stallions for the rhythm that would push NAU back on top. The Stallions took the new life and marched down the field, and a 34-yard touchdown pass combined with a successful two-point conversion put NAU up 42-41. 

And that’s the point where an outer band of Hurricane Ida showed up, dumping rain on the Wildcats just as the passing offense that had gotten so prolific since right before halftime took the field. And the rain played a role on several key misses on pass plays during the last eight minutes of the contest, including several incompletions, an interception on an underthrown ball, and the play that locked up the result, a muffed punt with 30 seconds remaining in the contest. 

With the running game struggling, Sal Palermo III took on the mantle to get the team back in the game. He went 24 of 47 for 402 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His favorite target was Micah Dunn, who had five catches for 121 yards and two scores, including on the 66-yard play. Zion Williams had three catches for 109 yards, including the 60-yard catch and run that turned the game right before halftime. While only gaining 17 yards on the ground, Devin Briscoe had 51 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air as well. 

Defensively, the Wildcats were led by Cole Jones & D’Mario Weathersby, who each had seven tackles in the contest while Jones also had the interception. 

The Wildcats (0-1, 0-0 SAC) hope going into Sooner Athletic Conference play for the first time will lead to their first win of the season when Southwestern Assemblies of God comes in on Saturday for the conference opener for both teams. Kickoff against the SAGU Lions (0-0, 0-0 SAC) is set for 6:00 P.M. at Wildcat Field. 

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PINEVILLE, La. – With the start of the 2021 Louisiana College football season, its first in the NAIA and Sooner Athletic Conference, just less than two months away, the Louisiana College football team announced its 2021 schedule and season ticket pricing plans, which go on sale immediately. 

“To say Coach Mason and I are excited about this next chapter in the history of Louisiana College athletics would be an understatement,” said Louisiana College President, Dr. Rick Brewer. “Returning to the NAIA brings with it athletic scholarship, familiar opponents, an enhanced student and fan experience, and opportunities for competing for national championships in all sports. I am confident we will field a competitive football team this year under the leadership of Coach Drew Maddox. Claws Up!” 

“I am really ready to see how much more we have grown as a program,” said Louisiana College Head Football Coach Drew Maddox. “Going into a new conference has its pros and cons, but we are really just ready to see if we can be more consistent and get better everyday.” 

LC’s first season in the NAIA begins on August 28 with a pair of home games to open a six-game slate at Wildcat Field, the first being a non-conference contest against a team that could become a more familiar opponent, North American University out of Houston, Texas. 

That’s followed the next week by the Wildcats’ first foray into the Sooner Athletic Conference as the Lions of Southwestern Assemblies of God University comes to Wildcat Field for a night contest. 

The next week starts the first of two long road trips as well as the final non-conference game of the season and the only game against the NCAA Division I opponent as LC heads to Abilene, Texas for a Wildcat battle against Abilene Christian on September 11. Following the game at ACU, the schedule fills out with the rest of the SAC schedule. 

“Let the NAIA era begin,” said Louisiana College Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Reni Mason. “I have full confidence in Coach Maddox and his staff. They have shown the ability to be diligent and consistent in their approach to recruiting, player development, and game preparation. The future is very bright for the Wildcats.” 

The longest road trip of the season comes on September 18 as the Wildcats head to Glendale, Arizona to take on the defending SAC Champion, Arizona Christian. 

Following two long road trips, LC comes home for two straight games, the first against Ottawa of Arizona on September 25 and then the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State come to Wildcat Field on October 2. 

After the lone bye week of the season, the Wildcats return to action on the road at Wayland Baptist in Plainview, Texas on October 16. That’s followed by another road game in Fort Worth, Texas against the Texas Wesleyan Rams. 

A brief home respite sees the Langston Lions come to Wildcat Field on October 30 to close out the spooky month. That’s followed by a road trip to Arkansas for a battle with the Lyon Scots. The regular season ends on November 13 at home as LC welcomes the Texas College Steers to Wildcat Field. 

The 66^th Annual NAIA Championship Series starts the following week, on November 20, with a national champion decided. On December 18 at a site still to be announced. 

Season tickets are on sale now. All season ticket seats are in the chairback seat section of Wildcat Field. With cash or check, the cost is $100 for two tickets to all six home games with checks made payable to Louisiana College Athletics. Credit card customers can pay by visiting the ticket pricing page on the athletics website where the price is $115 for a pair of season tickets. At the gate, the price for admission to a game is one flat rate of $15. 

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PINEVILLE, La. – For the first time since the transition to NAIA became official, the Louisiana College men’s soccer team will host an ID camp to help players develop their skills while giving coaches a chance to see who could be in the next set of Wildcat players. 

The ID camp will take place on July 31^st at Wildcat Field and will run from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. with check-in starting 30 minutes prior to the start of the camp. 

The camp is open to boys from the 8^th to 12^th grades and will have numerous drills designed to help improve player skills. At the end of the camp, lunch will be provided, and the athletes will get a chance to tour the Louisiana College campus. 

Players are asked to bring their own personal equipment; including cleats, shin guards, water bottles, and all other gear needed to play. The event is being held on artificial turf, so turf safe cleats are required. 

Pre-registration can be done online at the link below for $80, or you can register at the field on the day of the camp for $100. 

Link to pre-register: https://www.lcwildcats.net/registrations/#!/camp/1 

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PINEVILLE, La. – A shortened season in the spring could not stop two members of the Louisiana College football team of making their name on the national stage as Devin Briscoe was named a Second Team All-American while Micah Latin was named Second Team All-Region by D3Football. 

Briscoe, a junior running back from Cecilia, La., impressed in his first season in the orange and blue, adding the D3Football Second Team All-American honor to his First Team All-American Southwest Conference honor. Briscoe rushed 96 times for 648 yards and four touchdowns during the 5-game spring 2021 season. He twice rushed for more than 200 yards in a contest, going for 202 yards and two scores against D3 power Mary Hardin-Baylor and followed that up a week later with a 231-yard one touchdown day against McMurry in the season finale. 

Latin, a junior defensive lineman from Gloster, La., grew into a stabilizing force along the end of the defensive line as he was named Second Team All-Region by D3Football, adding that award to his Defensive Lineman of the Year Award from the American Southwest Conference as well as First Team All-Conference. He had 29 total tackles during the five-game spring 2021 season, including seven tackles for loss and four sacks. 

The Wildcats completed their spring 2021 pandemic season with a 2-3 overall record and a 2-2 record in conference. LC will be in the NAIA and the Sooner Athletic Conference for the regularly scheduled fall 2021 season. Opening day of the 2021 season is set for August 28^th against North American University. Kickoff against the Stallions is set for 5:00 P.M. at Wildcat Field. 

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