Football | 10/27/2016 1:04:00 PM

Thursday, October 27, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — After a two-game home stand, the Eastern New Mexico University football team (5-3) will hit the road for a big Lone Star Conference matchup at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Greyhounds are set to kickoff at Javelina Stadium this Saturday, at 6 p.m. MT.

Last week, Tuisamoa Magalei's nine tackles led a defensive effort which produced Eastern's first home shutout since a 2004 effort against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The ENMU defense limited Bacone to just three first-half first downs and -7 yards in the opening quarter. Quarterback Wyatt Strand tossed two touchdown passes, rushed for two more, and accounted for 178 yards of total offense in the 62-0 win.

How to Follow the Game
The legendary "Voice of the Greyhounds" Dr. Donald Elder will be on hand to broadcast the game on KSEL 105.9 FM, which also will have an audio stream of the game on their website. A video stream and live statistics will be available at JavenlinaAthletics.com.

The Matchup
The Greyhounds are 8-23 against Texas A&M-Kingsville, with a 1-14 record on the road. Eastern has won the last four meetings, which include three games at Blackwater Draw. The last time the Hounds visited Javelina Stadium, they came away with a 31-0 win. The win not only marked ENMU's first road win in the series, but the first time Texas A&M-Kingsville had been shut out at home since the 1983 season.
 
Last season, the Greyhounds took a 14-0 lead on a one-yard plunge from Kamal Cass, followed by a 74-yard interception return from Elliott Peters. The Hounds pushed their lead to 28-10, but the Javelinas pulled within 35-31, before Eastern pulled away for the 56-31 win. The Hounds held a 396-77-yard advantage in the running game and had two interceptions in the second half.
 
Greyhound Head Coach Josh Lynn is in his fifth season at Eastern and has a 25-23 record. In 2013, the Greyhounds finished with a 5-1 mark in Lone Star Conference play to share the league title with Tarleton State. Daren Wilkinson is in his second season at Texas A&M-Kingsville and has a 7-12 overall record with the Javelinas.
 
Around the Lone Star Conference
Lone Star Conference Website
Lone Star Conference Scoreboard
Lone Star Conference Football
Lone Star Conference Schedule
Lone Star Conference Standings
Lone Star Conference Statistics

Midwestern State and Texas A&M-Commerce sit atop the league with identical 6-1 records and 5-1 marks in conference play. Eastern New Mexico, Tarleton State, and West Texas A&M each have 4-2 records and are 1-1 among each other. The Javelinas are right behind, with a 3-3 record and the longest current win streak in the league.
 
Upcoming Games
 

Tarleton State	Oklahoma Panhandle State	1 p.m.	Goodwell, Okla.
Angelo State	Western New Mexico	1 p.m.	Silver City, NM
West Texas A&M	Texas A&M-Commerce	4 p.m.	Commerce, Texas
Eastern New Mexico	Texas A&M-Kingsville	7 p.m.	Kingsville, Texas
UT Permian Basin	Midwestern State	7 p.m.	Wichita Falls, Texas

 
 
On the Run
Eastern New Mexico University Website
ENMU Athletics
ENMU Football
ENMU Roster
ENMU Schedule
ENMU Statistics

After seven games, the Greyhounds rank fourth in the nation in rushing, with 330.2 yards per game. In the NCAA Division II, Eastern trails only Harding (368.6 ypg) and Sioux Falls (341.4 ypg). Kamal Cass is at the forefront of ENMU's running game and ranks 47^th in the nation with 707 yards. ENMU also ranks 26^th in total offense and 27^th in passing efficiency.
 
ENMU leads the LSC in total offense and in time of possession (34:30/game- seventh in the nation). Cass is fourth in the league with 707 yards rushing, while Wyatt Strand, Tayshaun Gary, and Chivasiay Gallagher are 11^th, 12^th, and 17^th respectively. Aaron Johnson trails only Western New Mexico University's Xavier Ayers in receiving yards in the conference and is leads the conference in yards per catch (with at least five receptions).
 
Defensively
Eastern's run defense ranks 15^th in the NCAA Division II and second in the LSC. The Greyhounds are second in the league in total defense. ENMU 's 24 sacks rank third in the conference, while the Hounds' nine interceptions rank fourth.

Brad Hardin is 13^th in the conference with 54 tackles, which includes 28 solo stops. Desmond Blue is 20^th in tackles for a loss.

Special Teams
The Greyhounds are fourth in the LSC in kickoff coverage and in field goals. Bailey Hale is 27-30 on point-after-touchdown kicks and is six-for-nine on field goal attempts with a pair of 47-yard kicks.

Javelina Notes
Texas A&M-Kingsville Website
Javelina Athletics
Javelina Football
Javelina Roster
Javelina Schedule
Javelina Statistics

After starting out 2-3 with losses to Midwestern State, Texas A&M-Commerce and Angelo State, the Javelinas are a resurgent team. Texas A&M-Kingsville is on a three-game win streak with victories at West Texas A&M and Tarleton State, sandwiched around a home win over University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Up Next
Next week, the Eastern New Mexico University football team will host Oklahoma Panhandle State. The contest is the final home game of the season for the Greyhounds.