ODESSA, Texas (November 13, 2026) – The University of Texas Permian Basin football team (6-4 overall, 5-3 LSC) will conclude the regular season this weekend against Texas A&M University-Kingsville (5-5, 5-3) in a battle between the two teams tied for third place in the Lone Star Conference standings. Senior Day for UTPB will begin at 1:30 p.m., followed by kickoff at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, inside Astound Broadband Stadium.

A win during the final game Head Coach Chris Sofltey's first season would give the Falcons their fourth straight season with at least seven wins overall and at least six conference wins, and fourth straight season with a third-place finish or better in the LSC.

FALCONS' LAST TIME OUT
No. 24 Midwestern State used a big third quarter to run to a 49-34 win over UT Permian Basin at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. MSU, which finished 6-0 at home, scored 28 points in the third to take a 42-20 lead heading into the fourth. Kaden Brown passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more for the Mustangs. He had 212 passing yards (19-for-27) and 94 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Daniel Scarabino had a 12-yard fumble recovery for a TD in the third quarter. Kohen Maroney made all seven extra-point attempts. UTPB's Braxton Baker threw for 318 yards and two TDs – one to Tre Brown, who had 13 catches for 129 yards. The Falcons' Nicholas Elko had the game's first score on a 30-yard interception return. McKyle So'oto had 10 tackles – 1.5 for loss.

SCOUTING UTPB
UT Permian Basin opened the season with a 44-0 loss at (FCS) UT Rio Grande Valley. The Falcons responded with a 69-14 home victory over Western New Mexico before defeating Sul Ross State 66-7 and Eastern New Mexico 56-10 both on the road. After starting 3-0 in Lone Star Conference play, the Falcons turned their attention to their final nonconference game of the season and upset No. T-21 Northeastern State University 38-27. UTPB then returned to LSC action and had to scrap until the very end to pull out a 24-17 victory at West Texas A&M University. It was a perfect 4-0 road trip and a 4-0 start in the LSC for UTPB before falling for the first time in conference play in its return to Midland, Texas, the following week. UTPB fell 38-19 at home vs. Western Oregon and then dropped a 42-13 score on the road at No. 13 Central Washington before getting back into the win column by earning its first-ever home win over Angelo State, 20-10. Last week, the Falcons fell for the third time in their last four games with a 49-34 defeat at second-place and No. 24-ranked Midwestern State University.

With the defeat last week, UTPB falls from first to third in the Lone Star Conference in scoring defense (25.8 ppg) and total defense (373.8). The Falcons are averaging 118.9 yards per game (9th in the LSC) and 249.4 passing yards per game (6th in the LSC), and are ninth in the conference in total offense (368.3 ypg) and fifth in scoring offense (33.9 ppg). Their defense continues to lead the league in interceptions (20), and is also tied for first in fumbles recovered (9), second in forced fumbles (12), and tied for second in sacks (25).

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• UTPB is third in the LSC in scoring defense (25.8 ppg), total defense (373.8 ypg) and rushing defense (134.7 ypg).
• UTPB ranks first in all of NCAA Division II in total interceptions (20) and turnovers gained (29 – 20 INT, 9 FUM REC).
• The Falcons also rank first nationally in interceptions return yards (440) and interceptions returned for a touchdown (5).
• The UTPB defense has recorded at least one interception and one sack in nine straight games. Earlier this season, the Falcons had recorded at least two interceptions, two sacks and one forced fumble in five straight games during their winning streak.

RECORD BOOK WATCH

• With a team-high 43 receptions this season, senior wide receiver Traylen Suel, from College Station, Texas, is the Falcons' new career leader for receptions (133). He surpassed the previous record of 116 receptions set by MJ Link (2020-22) during UTPB's contest vs. Western Oregon (Oct. 17).
• Sophomore safety Nicholas Butler, from Dallas, Texas, recorded his new school-record fifth interception of the season vs. Angelo State (Oct. 31). He surpasses D'Ondrea Robinson (Spring 2021) and Jacques Tyler (2021).
• Earlier this season, the Falcons set program single-game records for sacks (8 at Eastern New Mexico) and interceptions (5 at Northeastern State) in back-to-back games.
• With 20 interceptions on the season, the Falcons have officially passed the program's previous single-season record of 16 interceptions sets in 2021.
• Junior wide receiver Heston Kelly, from, Rusk, Texas, has totaled 12 punt returns for 100 yards this season and has 32 total punt returns for 215 yards in his three-year career at UTPB. He is tied with Gunnar Abseck (2021-24) for the most punt returns in program history, is 24 yards shy of tying the single-season record for punt return yards, and is 21 yards shy of tying the career record for punt return yards.
• Senior safety Layne Horak, from Rockwall, Texas, made his mark in the UTPB record book earlier this season with an interception in three straight games vs. Western New Mexico University (Sept. 12), at Sul Ross State University (Sept. 19) and at Eastern New Mexico University (Sept 26), including back-to-back games to open conference play with an interception returned for a touchdown against the Mustangs and the Lobos. He was the second player in program history to record an interception in three consecutive games, was the first with back-to-back pick-sixes, and had already set a school record with 135 interception return yards on the season.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET
No. 11 UT Permian Basin breaks away from Texas A&M-Kingsville, 43-30: No. 11 UT Permian Basin broke open a tie game with three, fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat Texas A&M-Kingsville 43-30 in conference action at Javelina Stadium. With a 23-23 tie with 13:32 remaining, UTPB got a 20-yard run from Kannon Gibson. The Falcons then used a pair of TD passes from Kanon Gibson (one for 70 yards to Jaylon Tillman and another for 34 yards to TJ McKenzie) to extend their lead with 8:10 to play. The game was also tied at 16-16 early in the third quarter. Gibson finished 18 of 26 for 316 yards and three TDs passing and also ran for 95 yards and two scores. UTPB's Tristan Exline had a game-high 10 tackles and McKyle So'oto had eight tackles, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. For TAMUK, Jack Turner threw for 270 yards and two TDs and Jakari Kandry had nine tackles – two for loss.

THE SERIES (UTPB VS. TAMUK)
The Falcons and Javelinas meet for the 11th time on the gridiron this Saturday with TAMUK holding the 6-4 advantage in the series. Saturday marks the sixth trip by the Javelinas to the Permian Basin, but it will be just the second game played between the two teams in Midland with the first four taking place in Odessa. UTPB is 2-3 at home vs. TAMUK after their meeting two years ago in which the Javelinas were able to shut down the Falcons' comeback bid. In that matchup, TAMUK staved off a comeback attempt from UTPB and took down the reigning LSC champions, 20-14, at Astound Broadband Stadium. Khalen Leonard's fourth-quarter interception on third down and seven from the TAMUK seven-yard line sealed the win. The TAMUK defense allowed just 46 rushing yards, while Roger Hagan ran for over 100 yards for the second straight week.

JAVELINAS UNDER THE LENS
Under the direction of second-year Head Coach Scott Parr, the Javelinas were looking to build upon its 5-6 record last season (2005) that featured a win over No. 12 Angelo State and multiple broken offensive records by the offense under Parr's coaching.

Texas A&M-Kingsville has a new quarterback in command of the offense this season in Mills Dawson, who transferred to the Javelinas by way of Western Illinois before the 2025 season. Dawson joins preseason player to watch Christian Kretz, who finished last season top ten in the conference in receptions and receiving yards. Kretz has already broken TAMUK's single-season records in receptions and receiving yards this season. In all, he has totaled 74 receptions for 1,353 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Javelinas returned fourth fifths of their starting offensive line from last season, including second-team all-conference selection Miguel Carrizales. The unsung hero for the Javelina offense has been the play of the offensive line, who have allowed the third-fewest sacks (14) in the conference this season.

Texas A&M-Kingsville also returned freshman phenom Edward Chumley, who was named as a second-team all-conference running back in his debut season with the Javelinas. Chumley has reached at least 100 rushing yards in five games this season, has scored 11 rushing touchdowns, and is the first Javelinas to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season since 2011.

Defensively, it is a brand-new defense for the Javelinas with new defensive coordinator Cortez Carter in command. Carter had a good amount of returning talent to play with, namely defensive preseason player to watch Jeremiah Conaway and linebacker Max Alvarez, who both came into the season looking to be key contributors for the Javelina defense this season.

Coming off an eight-sack performance last time out vs. Sul Ross State, the Javelinas lead the LSC with 33 sacks and have now made it 21 consecutive games where they have registered at least one sack dating back to the beginning of the 2025 season.

Junior linebacker Travis Bielefeld ranks third in the LSC in TFL's this season with 11.5.

Texas A&M-Kingsville began its 2026 season 4-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2022 season. The Javelinas have scored 50 or more points four times this season and seven times overall in two seasons under the direction of Coach Parr. After beginning conference play with a perfect 4-0 record and sitting atop the conference following a big 58-51 road win at Western Oregon (Oct. 10), the Javelinas fell 52-49 in another high-scoring contest vs. No. 12 Central Washington (Oct. 17). That was the first of three straight losses that saw TAMUK slide down to fourth place in the LSC standings before a 63-17 win on Senior Night over Sul Ross State last week (Nov. 7) to draw into a tie with UTPB for third place.

JAVELINAS SLOTTED SIXTH IN LSC PRESEASON POLL
Texas A&M-Kingsville football was placed sixth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll for the 2026 season.

Texas A&M-Kingsville is coming off its first season under Head Coach Scott Parr, finishing with a 5-6 record during the 2025 season. The Javelinas set new offensive highs under coach Parr, breaking program records for passing yards (Jack Turner 3,420 yards), total yards (Turner 3,585 yards) and receptions (King Phillips 68 receptions).

A pair of Javelinas were named to the preseason player of the year watchlist as well. Wide receiver Christian Kretz and defensive back Jeremiah Conaway were selected to the LSC player of the year watchlist for the Javelinas. Kretz finished last season ninth in receptions (49) and seventh in receiving yards (695) in the LSC while scoring five touchdowns. Conaway racked up 40 total tackles with an interception and three pass breakups last season. Both were named all-conference honorable mentions while Conaway was selected to the LSC all-academic team.

KRETZ NAMED LSC CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AFTER BREAKING SINGLE-GAME RECEIVING RECORD
Senior Wide Receiver Christian Kretz was named Lone Star Conference co-offensive player of the week after a record-breaking performance against Western New Mexico (Sept. 26).

Kretz, a native of Temecula, California, logged a program-record 16 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns to help power the Javelinas to their second straight conference win over the Mustangs. Kretz's yardage is the most in NCAA Division II this season and ranks fourth all-time in the LSC. His receptions are the second most in Division II this year and are tied for second most in league history.

All three of Kretz's touchdowns came in a row - all from quarterback Mills Dawson - over the second and third quarter to help the Javelinas build a 29-7 lead and secure the win over the Mustangs. Kretz broke the receptions record that was previously broken last season by Kevin Holmes and the receiving record from Jordan Thomas back in 2017.

CHRISTIAN KRETZ TABBED D2FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Wide receiver Christian Kretz was named the D2Football.com National Player of the week after a historic outing against Western Oregon (Oct. 10).

Kretz, a native of Temecula California, logged 16 catches for 291 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Javelinas won their fourth straight conference game and currently sit in a tie for first place in the Lone Star Conference. Kretz becomes the first Javelina since 2011 to be selected as the D2Football player of the week.

Kretz's performance ranks him second all-time in single game receptions and receiving yards, records he previously broke earlier this season against Western New Mexico, and is the third most receptions and receiving yards in a single game in LSC history. Kretz now sits atop all of DII with 849 receiving yards and leads the conference in reception, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. He was also named LSC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

JACARI HOWARD NAMED LSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior defensive lineman Jacari Howard was named the Lone Star Conference defensive player of the week after a stellar outing against Sul Ross State on Saturday.

Howard, a native of San Antonio Texas, racked up 3.5 sacks on five tackles as the Javelinas blasted the Lobos 63-17. Howard's 3.5 sacks were the most by any player this season in the LSC and helped the Javelinas secure eight total sacks as a team. Texas A&M-Kingsville now holds the most sacks in the LSC and the sixth most sacks in all of DII

Howard becomes the first Javelinas since 2024 to win LSC defensive player of the week and the second Javelina to win any player of the week award this season (Christian Kretz Weeks five and seven). Howard now has 4.5 sacks on the season tying him for second on the team this season.

JAVELINAS' LAST TIME OUT
Javelinas crush Sul Ross on senior night: Edward Chumley ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries and Texas A&M-Kingsville rolled to a 63-17 win over Sul Ross State at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville, Texas. Christian Kretz caught seven passes for 169 yards and Mills Dawson passed for 200 yards and two TDs to also fuel TAMUK's offense that totaled 524 yards. The Javelinas built a 32-3 lead at halftime. Jacari Howard had 3.5 sacks and Travis Bielefeld added two more to lead the TAMUK defense that did not allow a first-half TD. Julian Payne returned an interception 25 yards for a TD in the third quarter. Daniel Gauna made two field goals – from 48 and 38 yards – and all seven of his extra-point attempts. Will Howell threw for 277 yards – 135 to Taribbean Ramirez (eight catches). Emmanuel Osom had six tackles, a sack and an INT for the Lobos.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
No. 9 Central Washington claimed at least a share of its second straight Lone Star Conference football title with a home win over Western New Mexico. The Wildcats (8-2 overall, 8-0 LSC) extended their winning streak to eight games. CWU can claim the outright title with a win in its regular season finale next week at West Texas A&M. No. 24 Midwestern State (8-2, 7-1 LSC) kept its LSC title hopes alive with a home win over UT Permian Basin. The Mustangs, who have won four games in a row, travel to Eastern New Mexico next week. Western Oregon, Angelo State and Texas A&M-Kingsville also won in Week 10.

Week 11 will also feature Angelo State at Western New Mexico, TAMUK at UTPB and WOU at Sul Ross State.

The fourth NCAA Division II NPI Rankings of the season were released on Nov. 8. CWU is No. 13 in the nation and No. 5 in Super Region Four. MSU is No. 8 is the region.

MSU is tops in the league in total offense (530.8 yards per game), while ASU is tops in defense (365.6 yards per game). MSU is scoring a conference-best 44.8 points per game and ASU is allowing a league-low 23.1 points per game. WNMU (51.3 yards per game) is the least penalized team in the LSC.

The LSC has had two players earn national player of the week recognition by D2Football.com this season: UTPB linebacker McKyle So'oto (Defensive) on Oct. 6 and TAMUK wide receiver Christian Kretz (Offensive) on Oct. 13.

CWU was picked to repeat as the LSC champion this season, according to the league's preseason poll. WOU senior quarterback Jordan McCarty and CWU senior linebacker Brycen Indell were predicted to win preseason player of the year honors.

The LSC football all-conference and all-academic teams will be announced online Thursday, Nov. 19.

LIVE COVERAGE
Saturday's contest will be broadcasted on FloCollege. The LSC and FloSports reached a historic agreement in August of 2024 for the largest streaming rights deal in NCAA Division II history. LSC fans will have three subscription plans to choose from: Standard, Student or Family. The Standard Plan is $24.99 per month or $119.88 per year ($9.99/month). The Student Plan is $12.99 per month or $95.88 per year ($7.99/month). Subscribers must have a valid .edu email address from an LSC member institution or affiliate. The Family Plan is $155.88 per year ($12.99/month). FloCollege's newest subscription plan is only available annually. The primary account owner will be able to invite up to two additional individuals to join their account. Each added account will receive its own login with full access to FloCollege and can stream the same or different content from completely different locations.

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.