George Becnel

The Southland Conference: Small College Football, Big Dreams George Becnel

Publisher Marketing: Did you know? Four future NFL receivers, Roger Carr, Mike Barber, Pat Tilley, and Billy Ryckman were all on Louisiana Tech's 1973 national championship team. The Independence Bowl was created as a postseason game for the Southland Conference champion. Jacksonville State kicker Ashley Martin kicked three extra points to become the first female to kick an extra point in a NCAA Division I football game in the Gamecocks' 72-10 win over Cumberland in 2001. Future Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor made his first-ever collegiate start as a freshman against Northwestern State in 2008. Future Walter Payton Award winner, quarterback Jeremy Moses of Stephen F. Austin, set a single-game NCAA record by completing 57 of 85 passes for 501 yards in a game against Sam Houston State in 2008. Future NFL defensive backs from Nicholls State, Lardarius Webb and Kareem Moore each returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Northwestern State in 2007. Although Southeastern Louisiana didn't compete in football in the Southland until 2005, the Lions played a "designated" conference game against Louisiana Tech in 1971. Super Bowl quarterback Stan Humphries of the San Diego Chargers played at Northeast Louisiana. Louisiana Tech, which joined the Southland in 1971, didn't allow a conference opponent to score a single point in the third quarter until the 1975 season. Diontae Spencer of McNeese State returned two kickoffs and one punt return for a touchdown to tie a FCS single-game record.