70 All-A mericans | Four Academic All-A mericans | Five-Time LSC Division Cha mpionships | LSC Cha mpions 2001, 2009, 2013
NCAA PLAYOFF TEAMS (2001)
54
#17 TARLETON STATE
28
#3 CHADRON STATE
24
1ST ROUND • NOVEMBER 17, 2001
BEEBE, ELLIOTT FIELD • CHADRON, NEB. (5,400)
TEXANS DOWN NO. 3-RANKED CHADRON STATE 28-24 FOR
SCHOOL’S FIRST-EVER NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFF VICTORY
CHADRON, Neb. - Tarleton State’s defense limited a high-powered
Chadron State offense to just three points in the second half as the
Texans rallied past the Eagles 28-24 in first-round action of the NCAA
Division II football playoffs.
The Texans trailed 21-7 late in the first half after quarterback Steve
Kelly fumbled and Chadron’s Aric Lopez returned it five yards for a
touchdown. That play seemingly gave the Eagles all the momentum
heading to halftime.
Kelly and Texans came right back and managed to cut their deficit
to 21-14 with a quick 11-play drive that culminated with a 3-yard
touchdown catch by tight end Kyle Masters, slicing the Chadron lead to
seven points with 30 seconds left in the half.
Chadron upped its lead to 24-14 with Ryan Larson’s 24-yard field
goal on the Eagles’ first second-half possession, but the Texans’ defense
would dominate from there, allowing Chadron to only 77 yards in their
final four drives.
The Texans limited Chadron to 0-for-4 on 3rd-down conversions and
0-for-2 on 4th-down tries in the final quarter. Tarleton squelched the
Eagles’ fake punt attempt on 4th-and-1 at the Tarleton 44-yard line with
6:20 left, and the Texans stopped Chadron on a 4th-and-3 at the CSC 26
with