Tarleton State secures historic win in inaugural FCS playoff game

On Saturday, Tarleton State made history by winning their first-ever FCS playoff game, defeating Drake 43-29 in a first-round matchup held in Stephenville, Texas. The victory marked a significant milestone for the 13th seed Tarleton State team, which concluded the regular season with a solid record of 10 wins and 3 losses. The Texans showed resilience after falling behind early in the game, with Drake initially jumping to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter thanks to Blake Ellingson's touchdown run and a passing touchdown from Luke Bailey to Taj Hughes. However, Tarleton State responded effectively. In the second quarter, Kayvon Britten scored on a 6-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap. Britten played a crucial role in the victory, later scoring again on a 1-yard run that extended the Texans' lead to 29-14 toward the end of the third quarter. Victor Gabalis, the quarterback for Tarleton State, delivered a standout performance, completing 26 of 36 passes for a total of 337 yards, along with two touchdown passes. Darius Cooper had an impressive outing, contributing with 190 receiving yards and a touchdown from a 49-yard pass thrown by Gabalis. Another key player for the Texans was Kyle Weber, who scored on two short-yardage runs, adding to the team's overall success. On the other side, Drake's Luke Bailey completed 31 out of 49 passes and threw three touchdown passes, but also had two interceptions that proved costly. This inaugural playoff game for Tarleton State is a historic moment for the program, especially as they advance to the second round where they will face the No. 4 seed South Dakota. This upcoming matchup presents another challenge for Tarleton State as they aim to build on their first playoff victory and continue their postseason journey.