College Sports

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

Texas College will try and gain a handle on a rocky season today against the last team it beat -- Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The Central States Football League foes meet up at 2 p.m. at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

TC hopes Panhandle State, a provisional CSFL member, proves to be just the team to help redeem a disappointing season so far.

"We view them as a conference team," Texas College head coach Jay Brown said of Panhandle State. "We consider this as a conference game. They play all our conference opponents."

The winless Steers (0-4) rested last week after losing for the third time in four games to an NCAA Division I school from the SWAC conference.

TC played arguably its best game, but fell to Texas Southern nonetheless, 28-13. Before the TSU game, TC lost a heartbreaker to Howard Payne (20-13).

The Steers stayed within a touchdown against TSU until a muffed punt led to a 4-yard Tiger scoring drive late. TC QB X'Zavier Bloodsaw (6-1, 210, Jr., Houston) passed for a season-high 215 yards while RB Fred Dixon (5-9, 215, Sr., Houston) rushed for 86 yards and LB Martelius Epps (5-9, 215, Sr., Daingerfield) notched two sacks and recovered a fumble to lead the Steer defense.

"I saw improvements on all phases," Texas College head coach Jay Brown said. "The special teams turnover hurt, but I was glad with the effort. We have to cut down on (turnovers) at inopportune times."

The level of competition changes, but the challenge remains the same for the Steers.

"We're not taking anybody lightly," he said. "We still feel we have to play as hard as we did against the SWAC schools to give us a chance to win. Our guys understand we hadn't won any games."

Panhandle State deserves to be taken more seriously, having won two games already after going 0-10 last year, including a 34-8 loss to TC in Tyler. Panhandle State (2-3) owns a win over annual CSFL contender Southern Nazarene (34-26), and won last week against Tabor, Kan. (31-15).

QB Vinny Gay (6-0, 225, Jr., Overland Park, Kan.) tossed two TDs and passed for 221 yards last week, RB Darryl Brister (5-9, 195, Fr., New Orleans) scored three times and LB J.C. Ramirez (6-0, 220, Jr., Alvin) recorded 13 tackles and an interception, and forced a fumble for the Aggies.

"I think those guys got a little older and they're much-improved," Brown said. "At this level what you have to try to do is keep guys around. This is some of those guys' third year in same system and they're doing a good job."

The 26-point win versus Panhandle State marked TC's last win, and the Steers have lost six straight since.

"Our expectations are to win football games," Brown said. "Having not done that it's a sense of urgency among staff, players (and fans). We're not running from that. The thing we have to do is understand we have to get ready every week against a good opponent and hopefully good things will happen.

"We're looking forward to getting back out there. Our guys feel like they let one slip away (against TSU) and they're eager to redeem themselves against someone."