2023 Texas–Permian Basin Falcons football team

The 2023 Texas–Permian Basin Falcons football team represented the University of Texas of the 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.

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.

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.

Texas–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:

West Texas A&M
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.

Eastern New Mexico
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.

No. 23 Central Washington
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.

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)