Texan Football kicks off Sept. 1

By: Sydnie Grossnickle

Multimedia Journalist

Texan football returns on Sept. 1 with a non-conference match-up against the Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) Delta Devils. It will be the first meeting between programs. 

Tarleton State University football returns this season with head coach Todd Whitten.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member went 4-7 last season and finished fifth in the east division. Vincent Dancy leads the Delta Devils again this season. 

“They [MVSU] are certainly a quality opponent,” Whitten said. 

The 2022 Preseason All-SWAC poll picked MVSU to finish last in the East division. The Delta Devils had two players selected for the Preseason All-SWAC first team. 

“Well, they are very aggressive on the defensive side of the ball,” Whitten said. “A year ago they had really good team speed and quickness.”

The 2022 Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) poll picked Tarleton to finish third in the conference. Although, they did receive a first-place vote. Five Texans received preseason honors. 

Upon preparing for the season, Tarleton has made some notable changes, including the defensive coordinator. 

“Coach Tyrone Nix is our new defensive coordinator. And so he brought a lot of new ideas from that standpoint,” Whitten said. 

Texan football has goals for this coming season.

“I think one of our real focuses is trying to be more explosive and make more big plays,” Whitten said.  

The program has a lot of new faces, including starting quarterback Beau Allen. Allen comes to Stephenville from the University of Kentucky, a Power Five Conference member. 

The Lexington, Kentucky, native played five games over two seasons with the Wildcats. 

Coach Whitten suggests Tarleton football fans watch out for third-year sophomore wide receiver Darius Cooper, Montana State transfer Jaden Smith and cornerback Jalen Carr. 

“We have the nucleus, I think, to have a good football team,” Whitten said. 

Follow the Texans to Fort Worth on Sept. 10 for a historic match-up with Texas Christian University. They return home to host Eastern New Mexico for Family Weekend on Sept. 17.

Both games will be available on ESPN+. 

To learn more about Tarleton State’s football program or for tickets, check out tarletonsports.com/sports/football. 

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