McKINNEY, Texas -- Midwestern State begins the Rich Renner picked to finish fifth in the race for the 2024 Lone Star Conference football championship as released Thursday afternoon at the league's annual media day at McKinney ISD Stadium.

The Mustangs return 42 letter winners and 11 starters from last season's squad which finished tied for fifth in the LSC with a 4-6 overall record.

Central Washington was the popular pick to win the league title, claiming 20 of the 30 first-place votes to finish with 286 points. The Wildcats posted a 9-4 record in 2023 and reached the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.

Angelo State is ticketed to finish as runner-up, receiving six first-place votes and a total of 260 points.

The Rams are trailed by defending league champion UT Permian Basin (244 points), MSU (153), West Texas A&M (149), Eastern New Mexico (128), Western Oregon (118), Western New Mexico (68), and Sul Ross State (42).

Central Washington's Tyler Flanagan was picked as the LSC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The junior running back led the league with 1,014 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns.

CWU senior Tanner Volk, who won the Cliff Harris Award as Division II's best defensive player last season, was the obvious choice for LSC Preseason Player of the Year honors. Also a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, Volk led all NCAA divisions with 13 interceptions, while also topping the LSC with 124 tackles and 17 passes defended.

MSU PLAYERS TO WATCH | Junior defensive end Kaleb Manning enjoyed a breakout campaign and is the Mustangs' returning tackle leader. The Clute, Texas, native amassed 34 tackles, including 7 1/2 stops for loss in 2023. Junior Devin Cross led the Mustangs with 713 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns, while topping the 100-yard mark in three games last season.

MSU IN PRESEASON POLLS | The Mustangs were preseason favorites in 2012. That's the only time MSU has been favored to win the league despite a remarkable run of success in the Lone Star Conference. MSU has met or exceeded its preseason ranking in 11 of the last 19 seasons.

SEASON TICKETS | Midwestern State season tickets are on sale at MSUMustangs.com/tickets at the cost of $75 for six home games this season.

SEASON OPENER | Midwestern State hosts Missouri Southern in the season opener on Thursday, August 29 at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

WELCOME TO THE PARTY | The Lone Star Conference welcomes Sul Ross State fort he 2024 season. That brings the league's football membership to 10 teams, including associate members Central Washington and Western Oregon. Midwestern State takes on the Lobos on October 12 at Memorial Stadium.

11-GAME SCHEDULE, 11 DIVISION II OPPONENTS | Midwestern State is set to play 11 NCAA Division II opponents in 2024. The Mustangs supplement their nine-game Lone Star Conference schedules with games against Missouri Southern out of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association on August 29, then play Western Colorado out of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on September 7.

WELCOME BACK DINNER | The 17th Annual Midwestern State Athletics Welcome Back Dinner featuring former Dallas Cowboy quarterback and longtime broadcaster Babe Laufenberg is set for Sunday, August 18 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Reserve your seat for $120 online at www.msumustangs.com/welcomeback. A limited number of complete tables accommodating six people with sponsor acknowledgment remain available and can be purchased for $600. Please RSVP by August 14. For more information, contact Sheri Mummert at (940) 397-4779.

2024 Lone Star Conference Preseason Football Poll

Offensive Preseason Player of the Year | Tyler Flanagan (RB), Central Washington
Defensive Preseason Player of the Year | Tanner Volk (S), Central Washington

Place	Team (1st-place votes)	Points
1	Central Washington (20)	286
2	Angelo State (6)	260
3	UT Permian Basin (4)	244
4	Texas A&M-Kingsville	202
5	Midwestern State	153
6	West Texas A&M	149
7	Eastern New Mexico	128
8	Western Oregon	118
9	Western New Mexico	68
10	Sul Ross State	42

  

2024 Lone Star Conference Preseason Awards

Preseason Offensive Players to Watch

Student-Athlete	School	Class	Position	Major	Hometown (Previous School)
Zorhan Rideaux	Angelo State	Sr.	WR	Kinesiology	Houston, Texas/North Shore HS
Tyler Flanagan	Central Washington	Jr.	RB	Sport Management	Woodland, Wash./Woodland HS
Mario Sanchez	Eastern New Mexico	Jr.	QB	Business Administration	Denver City, Texas/Denver City HS
Devin Cross	Midwestern State	Jr.	RB	Physical Education	Pflugerville, Texas/Weiss HS
Vicente Luevano	Sul Ross State	Sr.	WR	Criminal Justice	San Diego, Texas/San Diego HS
Kevaughnte McGowan	Texas A&M-Kingsville	Sr.	OT	Biology	Arlington, Texas/(Northwestern Oklahoma State)
Jeremiah Cooley	UT Permian Basin	Sr.	WR	Management	Big Spring, Texas/(Gardner-Webb)
Tre'jon Henderson	West Texas A&M	Sr.	RB	Business	Fort Worth, Texas/(Central Washington)
Kiu Teu	Western New Mexico	Sr.	OL	Intermediate Studies	Hayward, Calif./(Luther College)
Damon Hickock	Western Oregon	Sr.	WR	Community Health	Portland, Ore./Grant HS

Preseason Defensive Players to Watch

Student-Athlete	School	Class	Position	Major	Hometown (Previous School)
Eric Rascoe	Angelo State	Sr.	LB	Business Administration	San Antonio, Texas/Warren HS
Tanner Volk	Central Washington	Sr.	S	Business Administration	Portland, Ore./Aloha HS
Micah Lewis	Eastern New Mexico	So.	DB	Communication	Amarillo, Texas/Tascosa HS
Kaleb Manning	Midwestern State	Jr.	DE	General Business	Clute, Texas/Brazoswood HS
Quincy Blair	Sul Ross State	Sr.	DB	History	Missouri City, Texas/Fort Bend Marshall HS
Xavier Henderson	Texas A&M-Kingsville	Sr.	DT	Adult Education	Houston, Texas/Aldine Davis HS
Jalon Rocquemore	UT Permian Basin	Sr.	LB	Marketing	McKinney, Texas/McKinney HS
J.T. Cavender	West Texas A&M	Sr.	LB	Mechanical Engineering	Midlothian, Texas/Midlothian HS
Cole Lalama	Western New Mexico	So.	LB	Forestry	Queen Creek, Ariz./Queen Creek HS
Malcolm Liufau	Western Oregon	So.	LB	Exercise Science	Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou HS