ODESSA, Texas (November 14, 2025) – The University of Texas Permian Basin football team (8-2 overall, 6-2 LSC) will wrap up the regular season with Senior Day at home against Sul Ross State University (0-10, 0-8) during "Week 11". Kickoff between the Falcons and Lobos will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, from Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland, Texas.

WHAT'S ON THE LINE
UT Permian Basin is fighting for its postseason life. The Falcons were ranked eighth out of 10 teams from Super Region Four in the latest round of regional rankings that will eventually determine the playoff field. This will be the final round of rankings to be released prior to the announcement of the tournament field on Sunday, November 16.

The top eight teams from each region will earn playoff invitations.

Both UTPB and Western Oregon University (8-2, 7-1) surpassed Western Colorado University (8-3, 6-2), which started the season 8-0 before dropping its last two games vs. CSU Pueblo (L, 24-21) and at Chadron State (L, 27-24 OT).

The 2025 NCAA DII football championship begins with a selection show on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. The 32-team field consists of 16 automatic qualifiers and eight at-large bids per super region.

FALCONS IN THE POLLS
The UTPB football team has moved up three spots from No. 16 to No. 13in the D2Football.com Media Poll and two spots from No. 17 to No. 15 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches' Poll.

NO. 1 DEFENSE IN THE LSC
UTPB has the Lone Star Conference's top-rated defense, allowing just 297.1 yards per game.

UTPB is also second the league in total offense at 452.4 yards per game, and is the least penalized team in the league, averaging just 45.3 yards per game.

FALCONS' LAST TIME OUT
No. 17 UTPB holds off Eastern New Mexico, 47-34: No. 17 UTPB got off to a strong start and held off Eastern New Mexico for a 47-34 win at Astound Broadband Stadium. It was the third straight victory for the Falcons, who improved to 6-2 in league play. UTPB, which totaled 572 yards of total offense, built up a 40-7 lead at halftime thanks to two touchdown passes and a touchdown run by Kanon Gibson. Kory Harris, Adrian Cormier and Camden Tyler also added rushing touchdown in the first half. Gibson finished 26 of 42 for 321 yards and Harris (83 yards on 12 carries) ran for two scores. Ben Patterson caught four passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. UTPB's Tristan Exline had 20 tackles – eight solo and six for a loss of 38 yards – two forced fumbles and a sack. ENMU's Nora Robert ran for 165 yards on 11 carries and Gerry Gomez caught four passes for 143 yards. Jarrion Patton and Tamarr Fairman had interceptions for the Greyhounds, and Ryan Travis averaged 42.5 yards on four punts.

EXLINE NAMED D2FOOTBALL.COM NATIONAL DPOW FOR SECOND TIME THIS SEASON
For the second time this season, UTPB junior linebacker Tristan Exline has been named D2Football.com's National Defensive Player of the Week.

Exline had 20 tackles – eight solo and six for a loss of 38 yards – two forced fumbles and one sack to lead the No. 17-ranked Falcons to a 47-34 win over Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 8. His six tackles for loss are the most in the LSC this season. He also had a 23-yard reception on a fake punt to set up UTPB's second touchdown of the game.

Exline, who also won the Lone Star Conference's top weekly defensive award for the second time this season, had 11 tackles in the first quarter alone. His second forced fumble came late in the second quarter and led to a TD to make it 40-7 at halftime.

Exline leads the LSC in tackles for loss (17.5) and is third in total tackles (94).

Exline is the fifth D2Football.com national player of the week honoree this season. He was awarded after the first week of the season, Central Washington sophomore kick returner Beau Phillips (Week 4) and Midwestern State freshman punt returner Cedonyae Lott (Week 6) earned the title of National Special Teams Player of the Week and Eastern New Mexico junior quarterback Jarius Stewart won National Offensive Player for Week honors for Week 8.

MILESTONE VICTORIES
Below are the milestone victories achieved with UTPB's latest win:

25: UTPB Head Football Coach Kris McCullough earned his 25th win as the head coach of the Falcons, tying the program record for head coaching wins. He will have a chance to break the record and become the all-time wins leader at UTPB this weekend vs. Sul Ross.

20: The last win was Coach McCullough's 20th conference win as head coach of the Falcons in just three seasons.

50: The win last week was UTPB's 50th win in program history.

8: With eight wins this season, the Falcons have secured the second-winningest season in program history.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET
UT Permian Basin cruises past Sul Ross State 75-7: In its final regular season game, UT Permian Basin got five passing touchdowns from freshman quarterback Issac Mooring combined with four rushing touchdowns from Kory Harris in a 75-7 victory at Sul Ross State. In addition, the Falcons averaged nine yards per play and finished with 711 total yards of offense, which was good for a new program record. UTPB scored a touchdown on all seven of its drives in the first half and had 472 yards of offense at the break for a 48-0 lead. Mooring finished 26 of 28 for 353 yards and no interceptions. Harris totaled 201 yards on the ground – the most in the conference this season. Deon Cook and Jeremiah Cooley had each caught two touchdowns in the first half. Defensively, Yemi Oyesanya had 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss for the Falcons. Sione Teuhema and Jamarion Ravenell each had an interception. Quincy Blair had 16 tackles for SRSU.

LOBOS UNDER THE LENS
Sul Ross State was picked 10th with 51 points in the 2025 Lone Star Conference Preseason Football Poll. The Lobos are coached by Lee Hays who is in his first year. The LSC offensive player to watch is junior offensive lineman Travyon Young who started all 10 games he played. On defense, it is senior defensive back Brendon Martin. He had 52 solo tackles with 26 assists for 78 total tackles, broke up two passes and picked off three for 53 yards, returning one for a touchdown. He was an All-LSC second team selection.

The 2025 season is also a milestone for Sul Ross State, as the program enters the final year of its NCAA Division II provisional period. Competing as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC), the Lobos continue to build toward full NCAA DII membership and future postseason eligibility.

LOBOS' LAST TIME OUT
No. 7 Central Washington claims at least share of LSC title with 73-7 win over Sul Ross State: No. 7 Central Washington piled up 591 yards of total offense to roll to a 73-7 road win over Sul Ross State and secure at least a share of its first LSC title. It was also the eighth consecutive victory for the Wildcats (8-0 in conference), who scored at least 14 points each quarter. CWU's Kennedy McGill ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score, Taylor Justice ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and Samaje Featherstone caught four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Tyler King had two sacks for a loss of 12 yards and Mika Roberson and King Williams both had an interception. CWU's David Weber made a 29-yard field goal and was 10-for-10 on extra-point attempts. SRSU's Yamil Oaxaca caught three passes for 106 yards and the Lobos' touchdown and Darryl Minor Jr. had seven tackles – two for loss – and a sack.

SRSU HEAD COACH
Lee Hays was named the head coach of the Sul Ross State football program on February 15, 2025. Hays spent the previous seven seasons as the offensive line coach and assistant offensive coordinator at Lubbock Cooper High School. Hays is no stranger to the Texas Panhandle as he served on the WT staff as offensive line coach in 1999 followed by time as the Offensive Coordinator from 2003-05. His 2005 offense led the country in passing with an average of 363.8 yards per game, garnering 23 All-LSC selections including three individual LSC award winners.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
Only one week in the Lone Star Conference football regular season remains.

No. 7 Central Washington (9-1 overall) has secured at least a share of the conference title with an 8-0 league record. Western Oregon (8-2 overall) remains in the hunt for a share of the crown at 7-1. The two meet up Saturday (Nov. 15) at 3:05 p.m. CT in Monmouth, Ore. CWU has won eight in a row. WOU has won six in a row. You can watch live on FloCollege.

No. 17 UT Permian Basin, Texas A&M-Kingsville and West Texas A&M also prevailed in Week 10.

WT is leading the league in total offense at 474.3 yards per game, followed by UTPB (452.4) and Texas A&M-Kingsville (448.8). CWU is scoring a league-high 47.7 points per game.

UTPB has the conference's top-rated defense, allowing just 297.1 yards per game. CWU (329.4), followed by WOU (343.9). Opponents are scoring just 17.6 points per game against CWU, which leads the league.

UTPB is the least penalized team in the league, averaging just 45.3 yards per game.

The LSC has had four D2Football.com national player of the week selections this season. UTPB junior linebacker Tristan Exline was named National Defensive Player of the Week after the first week of the year. CWU sophomore kick returner Beau Philllips (Sept. 30) and Midwestern State freshman punt returner Cedonyae Lott (Oct. 7) earned the title of National Special Teams Player of the Week. ENMU junior quarterback Jarius Stewart was named National Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 after breaking the LSC's single-game rushing record.

ASU was picked as the favorite to win the LSC title this season, according to the league's preseason poll. Exline and ASU quarterback Braeden Fuller were predicted to win preseason player of the year honors.

LIVE COVERAGE
Saturday night's contest will be broadcasted on FloCollege. The LSC and FloCollege reached a historic agreement in August 2024 for the largest streaming rights deal in NCAA Division II history. Fans have two different subscription options: $19.99 per month or $107.88 per year ($8.99/month).

To follow the action for the Falcons all season long, please check out our Live Events page for all of the video and live stats details: https://utpbfalcons.com/coverage.

In addition, all UTPB home and away football games can be heard live on KQRX 95.1 FM, 95X, a West Texas Radio Group station" with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Monty Montgomery (Play-by-Play) and Chad Kelly (Color Commentary) begin their first season together in the broadcast booth.

2025 DII FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: SELECTION SHOW INFO, BRACKET, SCHEDULE
The 2025 NCAA DII football championship begins with a selection show on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. ET on NCAA.com. The 32-team field consists of 16 automatic qualifiers and 8 at-large bids per super region.

2025 DI football championship schedule
All times listed in ET.
Selection show: 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 on NCAA.com
First round: Saturday, Nov. 22
Second round: Saturday, Nov. 29
Quarterfinals: Saturday, Dec. 6
Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 13 | ESPN+
National championship: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 | ESPNU