Full Breakdown
Tarleton State Football Achieves Historic 5-0 Start with Victory Over Chattanooga
9/21/2025, 12:49:17 PM
Dominant Performance in Front of Record Crowd
On September 20, 2025, Tarleton State Football secured its position as the only undefeated team in college football with a commanding 52-24 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville, Texas. This win marked Tarleton's first 5-0 start as a Division I member and was celebrated in front of a record crowd of 23,732 during Family Weekend.
The Texans showcased a powerful offensive performance, amassing a total of 576 yards, including 404 passing yards. Senior wide receiver Peyton Kramer was a standout player, celebrating his birthday with three touchdowns and 190 receiving yards. He became the first Texan to record three receiving touchdowns in 2025, a feat last achieved by current Philadelphia Eagles player Darius Cooper. Quarterback Daniel Greek contributed significantly with two touchdown passes and 214 passing yards.
Game Progression and Key Plays
Chattanooga initially took the lead in the first quarter with a 27-yard touchdown run by Justus Durant, followed by a 22-yard run from Ryan Ingram, putting the Mocs ahead 14-10. However, Tarleton State responded with a series of explosive plays, scoring 20 unanswered points in the second quarter. Key moments included a 48-yard touchdown run by Tre Page III and a 39-yard touchdown reception by Kramer from Greek.
The Texans maintained their momentum into the second half, with Kramer catching another touchdown pass and Ty Rawls returning an interception for a touchdown. The Mocs managed to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to close the gap.
Official Statements & Responses
Head coach Todd Whitten expressed pride in his team's performance, acknowledging the challenges of winning in college football and emphasizing the need for continued improvement. He stated, "We're 5-0 and that's a really good thing. I'm proud of our team."
Chattanooga's head coach noted the team's effort but recognized the difficulty of competing against a ranked opponent, stating, "Winning a college football game is hard. We still have a lot of work to do."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the Texans' success, the Mocs' performance highlighted areas for improvement. Chattanooga's rushing attack was notable, amassing 292 yards, which was a season high against Tarleton State. However, their inability to maintain early leads and convert on critical third downs (1-9) ultimately hindered their chances of victory.
What's Next
Following this victory, Tarleton State will take a bye week before returning to action on October 4, 2025, against Southern Utah. Meanwhile, Chattanooga will prepare to open Southern Conference play against The Citadel at home.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Chattanooga has a good program and they have some good players over there. Winning a college football game is hard. We still have a lot of work to do.” — Todd Whitten, Head Coach, Tarleton State
- “We're 5-0 and that's a really good thing. I'm proud of our team.” — Todd Whitten, Head Coach, Tarleton State
- “All nine combined touchdowns in the game came from at least 22 yards out…” — Game Summary
This victory not only solidifies Tarleton State's position in the FCS rankings but also sets the stage for a promising season ahead.
