TEXAN FOOTBALL HISTORY
the second time in the program’s history.
In 2010, head coach Cary Fowler took over a rebuilding program in his
first year at the helm of the Texans. Tarleton struggled through injuries
and inexperience, limping to a 3-8 record, but it gave the younger
players an opportunity to gain valuable experience.
The 2011 season was the most successful under Coach Fowler after
finishing the season on a five-game winning streak. Tarleton got off to a
rough start, but faced very tough competition. In fact, the Texans’ losses
came against ranked opponents, including No. 1 Midwestern State and
No. 2 Abilene Christian. Tarleton rebounded though and finished the
season as the hottest team in the conference. At 6-5 on the year, the
Texans showed they were growing into a force to be reckoned with in
the LSC. It showed a change of pace from the past few years and that
the Texans were on the rise.
The Texans opened the 2012 campaign upsetting nationally ranked
Midwestern State, 20-17, and the team looked poised for greatness.
After downing the No. 4-ranked team in the nation, Tarleton would hit
the road for a neutral contest against Abilene Christian that would be
played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tarleton took a three-point lead into the locker room, but the
Wildcats came back with a stifling defense and defeated the Texans 3431. The team would battle back the next week with a win over Eastern
New Mexico, but Tarleton would not win back-to-back contests until late
October and early November.
The Texans managed to go on the road and upset Gulf South
Conference super-team North Alabama on the second to final week of
the season and then defeat Angelo State in the season finale to earn
wins in its final three games. Quarterback Jake Fenske set a school
record with a 99-yard touchdown toss against UNA and then set the
new school record for yards passing in a game against ASU, collecting
460 yards on the evening.
Tarleton finished the season 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the LSC.
Fowler and the Texans continued their upswing in the 2013 campaign
as Tarleton secured its third Lone Star Conference Championship in
school history with a 7-3 record and 5-1 record in the LSC. The highlight
game of the season came at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 12 when the
Texans entered their home opener with a perfect 4-0 record but fell
behind 27-3 in the opening
half of football. Tarleton fought
back and, on the strength
of several incredible, clutch
catches from Le’Nard Meyers,
pulled off the incredible upset
of the nation’s No. 4 ranked
team with a 31-27 victory to
beat the Buffs for the first time
since 2004.
After nearly 100 years
of Tarleton football action,
including over five decades as
a senior college, the Texans
have never been stronger over
a longer period of time.
Clearly, the best is yet to
come for the Proud Defenders
of the Purple and White. The
2015 campaign will be another
exciting chapter in the annals
J.W. Boren (1999-2002) is Tarleton’s
all-time leading scorer with 313 career
of Tarleton football history.
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