The 2023 UT Permian Basin Falcons football team represented the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in the 2023 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC). They were led by first-year head coach Kris McCullough. The Falcons finished the regular season 10–1, going 8–0 in LSC play to win the conference title for the first time in program history. The Falcons received a bid for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in program history, being selected as the third seed in Super Region 4.
The Falcons played most of their home games at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland, Texas while Ratliff Stadium in Odessa, Texas only hosted one home game.
Offseason Coaching changes On November 28, 2022, head coach Justin Carrigan announced that he would be stepping down as the program's head coach. The following day it was announced he would be stepping into an administrative role, being named the university's deputy athletic director.
Preseason LSC media poll The LSC media preseason poll was released on July 27, 2023. The Falcons were predicted to finish seventh.
Season summary The Falcons opened the season on September 2, hosting NAIA from the Sooner Athletic Conference. In McCullough's debut, UTPB won 96–0, breaking the program record for most points scored in a single game. Two weeks later, against of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Falcons defeated the Bearcats 86–7, the second-most points scored in a single game in program history. On September 30, the Falcons defeated no. 16 , 29–17, for the program's first win over a ranked opponent.
On October 14, the Falcons defeated , 52–29, improving to 6–1 overall, breaking the program record for most wins in a single season. In the D2 Football poll released the following Monday, October 16, the Falcons were ranked no. 25, marking the first time in program history that the Falcons were ranked in a national poll. In the next game, on October 21, the Falcons defeated no. 19 to improve to 5–0 in LSC play, breaking the program record for most conference wins in a season. The Falcons would be ranked in the AFCA poll released the following Monday, on October 23, at no. 22, marking the first time in program history that the Falcons were ranked in the AFCA poll. In the regular season finale the Falcons hosted the no. 23 with both teams entering the game with a 7–0 record in LSC play, meaning the winner of the game would win the conference title. UTPB won the game 42–14 to win the LSC title for the first time in program history. Head coach Kris McCullough was named LSC Coach of the Year while quarterback Kenny Hrncir was named LSC Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Jeremiah Cooley won Receiver of the Year, Dominique Varela won Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Hayden Kelly won Linebacker of the Year.
UT Permian Basin was selected for the Division II playoffs, marking the program's first appearance in the playoffs. The Falcons faced Bemidji State from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in the first round of the playoffs.
Schedule
Schedule source:
Rankings
Personnel
Game summaries Texas College
Statistics TCTPB First downs 18 31 Total yards 2 564 Rushing yards -36 254 Passing yards 38 310 Turnovers 4 1 Time of possession 27:45 32:15 Team Category Player StatisticsTexas College Passing Isiah Saddler 8/28, 38 yards, 3 INT Rushing Tamauge Sloan 12 rushes, 18 yards Receiving Terrell Hookfin 2 receptions, 19 yardsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 19/25, 284 yards, 6 TD Rushing Kory Harris 8 rushes, 75 yards, TD Receiving Brock Johnson 2 receptions, 70 yards 2 TD
At Western Colorado
Statistics UTPWCU First downs 24 15 Total yards 472 175 Rushing yards 178 112 Passing yards 294 63 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 35:33 24:27 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 20/52, 294 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Kenny Hrncir 12 rushes, 105 yards Receiving Ben Patterson 3 receptions, 70 yards, TDWestern Colorado Passing Drew Nash 14/27, 63 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Deyvon Butler 15 rushes, 81 yards Receiving Andrew Montez 4 receptions, 30 yards, TD
At Southwest Baptist
Statistics TPBSBU First downs 27 8 Total yards 574 197 Rushing yards 219 21 Passing yards 355 176 Turnovers 1 5 Time of possession 31:58 28:02 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 15/20, 291 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Kory Harris 18 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD Receiving Deon Cook 2 receptions, 116 yardsSouthwest Baptist Passing Collin Sutton 10/21, 139 yards, INT Rushing Abel Carter 10 rushes, 25 yards Receiving Kylan Herrera 1 reception, 67 yards
West Texas A&M
Statistics WTTPB First downs 20 25 Total yards 380 498 Rushing yards 183 179 Passing yards 197 319 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 33:40 26:20 Team Category Player StatisticsWest Texas A&M Passing Kanon Gibson 23/26, 197 yards, 3 TD Rushing Kanon Gibson 14 rushes, 123 yards, TD Receiving Isai Smallwood 5 receptions, 64 yards, TDUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 19/40, 319 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Kenny Hrncir 20 rushes, 105 yards, 2 TD Receiving Jeremiah Cooley 5 receptions, 120 yards, TD
The Falcons trailed 10–24 entering the 4th quarter but outscored the Buffaloes 24–10 in the final quarter of regulation to tie the game 34–34 and force overtime. UTPB's final drive started with Rafael Vargas recovering his own onside kick. The Falcons converted twice on fourth down, converting a 4-and-1 and a 4-and-10, capping the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kenny Hrncir. UTPB received the ball first in overtime. Facing a 4th-and-4 at the West Texas A&M 19-yard line, the Falcons went for it, gaining 18 yards, then scored a touchdown to go up 41–34. The Buffaloes would respond with a touchdown on the ensuing drive and opted to try a two-point conversion to win the game. Kanon Gibson attempted a pass on the conversion but the ball was batted out of the end zone, securing the 41–40 win for the Falcons.
No. 16 Texas A&M–Kingsville
Statistics TAKTPB First downs 14 16 Total yards 241 342 Rushing yards 97 222 Passing yards 144 120 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 23:25 36:35 Team Category Player StatisticsTexas A&M–Kingsville Passing Kannon Williams 10/16, 130 yards, INT Rushing Christian Anderson 16 rushes, 59 yards, TD Receiving Jason Gaines 2 receptions, 71 yardsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 10/24, 120 yards, INT Rushing Kory Harris 19 rushes, 104 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Cooley 3 receptions, 61 yards
At Midwestern State
Statistics TPBMSU First downs 19 19 Total yards 381 334 Rushing yards 149 249 Passing yards 232 85 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 26:15 33:45 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 14/27, 232 yards Rushing Nemier Herod 14 rushes, 81 yards, 2 TD Receiving Ben Patterson 4 receptions, 100 yardsMidwestern State Passing James Cooper Jr. 7/11, 47 yards Rushing Devin Cross 19 rushes, 131 yards Receiving Jalen Austin 2 receptions, 17 yards
Eastern New Mexico
Statistics ENMTPB First downs 14 29 Total yards 345 677 Rushing yards 181 458 Passing yards 164 219 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 26:45 33:15 Team Category Player StatisticsEastern New Mexico Passing Mario Sanchez 7/16, 164 yards, 3 TD Rushing Ja'Calvin Newsom 3 rushes, 62 yards Receiving Andre Jones 3 receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 13/21, 194 yards, 2 TD Rushing Kory Harris 13 rushes, 159 yards, TD Receiving Matt Zubiate 2 receptions, 86 yards, TD
With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–1 overall, breaking the record for most wins in a single season, and improved to 4–0 in LSC play, tying the record for most conference wins in a single season.
At No. 19 Angelo State
Statistics TPBASU First downs 21 16 Total yards 366 280 Rushing yards 163 158 Passing yards 203 122 Turnovers 0 2 Time of possession 35:39 24:21 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 21/27, 203 yards, 4 TD Rushing Kory Harris 9 rushes, 79 yards Receiving Deon Cook 5 receptions, 65 yards, TDAngelo State Passing Gerald Gardner 17/29, 122 yards, 2 INT Rushing Brayden Wilcox 10 rushes, 80 yards Receiving Kel Williams 4 receptions, 46 yards
Western Oregon
Statistics WOUTPB First downs 17 24 Total yards 328 487 Rushing yards 113 108 Passing yards 215 379 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 29:46 30:14 Team Category Player StatisticsWestern Oregon Passing Gannon Winkler 15/28, 204 yards, TD, INT Rushing Austin Bacher 17 rushes, 99 yards, TD Receiving Brenden Hodge 7 receptions, 139 yards, TDUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 23/37, 379 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Kenny Hrncir 11 rushes, 46 yards, TD Receiving Ben Patterson 6 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TD
At Western New Mexico
Statistics TPBWNM First downs 31 8 Total yards 631 93 Rushing yards 407 16 Passing yards 224 77 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 31:11 28:49 Team Category Player StatisticsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 14/21, 219 yards, 5 TD Rushing Nemier Herod 10 rushes, 121 yards, TD Receiving Gunnar Abseck 4 receptions, 53 yards, TDWestern New Mexico Passing Hunter Davis 12/21, 77 yards, 2 INT Rushing Marcus Higgs 7 rushes, 22 yards Receiving Deuce Zimmerman 2 receptions, 35 yards
No. 23 Central Washington
Statistics CWUTPB First downs 16 23 Total yards 321 502 Rushing yards 140 329 Passing yards 181 173 Turnovers 4 2 Time of possession 27:32 32:28 Team Category Player StatisticsCentral Washington Passing Kennedy McGill 9/16, 148 yards, TD Rushing Kennedy McGill 13 rushes, 64 yards Receiving Zach Matlock 3 receptions, 62 yardsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 10/20, 173 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Kory Harris 16 rushes, 116 yards, TD Receiving Jeremiah Cooley 2 receptions, 94 yards, 2 TD
With the win, the Falcons finished the regular season going a perfect 8–0 in conference play to win the LSC title for the first time in program history.
No. 21 Bemidji State (NCAA Division II First Round)
Statistics BSUTPB First downs 15 17 Total yards 220 264 Rushing yards 69 111 Passing yards 151 153 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 28:18 31:42 Team Category Player StatisticsBemidji State Passing Brandon Alt 19/24, 151 yards, TD, INT Rushing Ali Mohamed 19 rushes, 38 yards Receiving Dhel Duncan-Busby 3 receptions, 43 yardsUT Permian Basin Passing Kenny Hrncir 15/37, 153 yards, 2 INT Rushing Kenny Hrncir 24 rushes, 72 yards Receiving Jeremiah Cooley 3 receptions, 38 yards
Statistics
Scoring Scores against non-conference opponents
Scores against the Lone Star Conference
Scores against all opponents
Weekly awards LSC Offensive Player of the Week Kenny Hrncir (week 4 vs. West Texas A&M) Nemier Herod (week 7 vs. Eastern New Mexico) Kenny Hrncir (week 8 vs. Angelo State) Kenny Hrncir (week 9 vs. Western Oregon) Kenny Hrncir (week 11 vs. Central Washington)
LSC Defensive Player of the Week Hayden Kelly (week 6 vs. Midwestern State) Hayden Kelly (week 11 vs. Central Washington)
LSC Special Teams Player of the Week Sergio Landeros (week 5 vs. Texas A&M–Kingsville)
References