Football | 11/3/2016 3:46:00 PM

Thursday, November 3, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — When the Eastern New Mexico University football team kicks off Saturday's game against Oklahoma Panhandle State at 3 p.m. MT, it will definitely be significant. The game is the final home date of the first season the Greyhounds played at Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium.

From the Grand Opening to the Wagon Wheel Game, and the performance against Bacone two weeks ago, Eastern's first season on campus has been a memorable one. Prior to the 3 p.m. kickoff, the Hounds will honor their 16 seniors.

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 GoEasternAthletics.com.

The Matchup
The Greyhounds are 17-8-2 against Oklahoma Panhandle State, which includes a 9-3-1 mark in home meetings. Eastern hasn't hosted the Aggies since a 63-14 victory to conclude the 2006 season.  The Aggies took the opening kickoff of the game and went 80 yards on 10 plays to seize a 7-0 lead. ENMU scored the next 28 points and cruised to a 63-14 win. Quarterback Michael Benton paced Eastern with 128 rushing yards and three scores, while the Hounds had four other players with at least 56 rushing yards. Eastern completed the game with 507 rushing yards without throwing a pass.
 
The Greyhounds last win over OPSU came by a 59-13 score on Nov. 8, 2008. The teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, before two second-quarter scores from running back Joseph Banyard allowed ENMU to pull away en-route to victory.
 
 
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. Russell Gaskamp is in his fifth season with Oklahoma Panhandle and has led the Aggies to a 22-28 record.
 
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 7-1 records and 6-1 marks in conference play. Tarleton State is right behind with a 5-2 record, while ENMU, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and West Texas A&M are tied at 4-3. With four straight wins, the Javelinas have the longest win streak in the conference.
 
Upcoming Games
 

Oklahoma Panhandle State	Eastern New Mexico	Portales, N.M.	4 p.m.
Angelo State	West Texas A&M	Canyon, Texas	6 p.m.
Western New Mexico	Texas A&M-Kingsville	Kingsville, TX	7 p.m.
Texas A&M-Commerce	UT Permian Basin	Odessa, Texas	7 p.m.
Midwestern State	Tarleton State	Stephenville, TX	7 p.m.

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

After eight games, the Greyhounds rank third in the nation in rushing, with 322.7 yards per game. In the NCAA Division II, Eastern trails only Harding (383.9 ypg) and Sioux Falls (341.9 ypg). Kamal Cass is at the forefront of ENMU's running game and ranks 38^th in the nation with 814 yards. ENMU also ranks 32^nd in the country in total offense.
 
The Hounds rank lead the Lone Star Conference in rushing offense and are fourth in scoring. The Greyhound passing game has also developed over the course of the season and ranks fourth in the league in efficiency. ENMU leads the LSC in first downs.
 
Cass is third in the LSC in rushing yards, while Wyatt Strand is third in rushing touchdowns. Aaron Johnson ranks third in the league in receiving yards and second in yards per reception.
 
Defensively
Eastern's run defense ranks 13^th in the NCAA Division II and leads the LSC. The Greyhounds are second in the league in total defense and fourth in scoring defense. Eastern is third in the LSC in sacks

Brad Hardin is ninth in the conference with 62 tackles, which includes 32 solo stops. Desmond Blue is 17^th in tackles for a loss, while Hardin is 18^th. Blue also ranks seventh in the league in sacks.

Special Teams
The Greyhounds are sixth in the LSC in kickoff coverage and fifth in field goals. Bailey Hale is 29-32 on point-after-touchdown kicks and is eight-for-11 on field goal attempts with a pair of 47-yard kicks.

Aggie Notes
Oklahoma Panhandle State University Website
Aggie Athletics
Aggie Football
Aggie Roster
Aggie Schedule
Aggie Statistics

Oklahoma Panhandle has featured an explosive offense this season and averaged more than 400 yards per game. Two weeks ago, the Aggies edged University of Texas of the Permian Basin in a wild 54-44 game. OPSU also earned a 20-16 win at NCAA Division I University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Up Next
Next week, the Eastern New Mexico University football team will conclude the regular season at Midwestern State.