Football | 11/1/2017 2:52:00 PM

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

PORTALES, NM — The 21^st-ranked Eastern New Mexico University football team (7-1) will play hit the road this week, for a non-conference match-up against West Liberty University. The Greyhounds are 1-0 in non-conference action this season, after a season-opening win over then-18^th ranked Southwest Baptist. Thursday's contest will kick off at 4 p.m. MT.

How to Follow the Game
For information on how to attend, please contact the West Liberty Athletic Department. The game will be broadcast by KSEL Country 105.9 FM, with an audio livestream offered on the station's website. Live statistics and a video stream will be available on www.HilltopperSports.com, and links will be provided on the ENMU football schedule page and main index page.

About the Greyhounds
Eastern New Mexico University
Greyhound Athletics
Greyhound Football
Schedule
Roster
Statistics

The Eastern New Mexico University football team is 3-1 at home this season and 2-0 since a setback to Texas A&M-Commerce. In their last two road games, the Greyhounds claimed the Wagon Wheel in a 28-14 win over West Texas A&M, followed by a 24-15 victory over Tarleton State.
 
Nationally, ENMU leads the NCAA Division II in time of possession and is second in rushing offense. ENMU's defense is fifth in the nation against the run eighth in the country in preventing fourth-down conversions. Third and fourth down have been critical to ENMU's success, and the team ranks first in the Lone Star Conference in fourth down conversion percentage on both sides of the ball. The Hounds defense leads the league in third down stops, while the offense is third.

Kamal Cass leads the league in all-purpose yards and ranks tenth in the nation. The running game is a staple of Eastern's triple-option attack and Cass ranks first in the LSC and 11^th in the nation in yardage. Wyatt Strand is ninth in the LSC in rushing while Tayshaun Gary is 12^th. Turnovers have been a key for Eastern this season, with Zach Johnson ranking first in the LSC (ninth in the nation) in forced fumbles and second in recoveries. KeAndre hall is tied for second in the LSC in fumble recoveries. Deion Hart is third in the conference in passes defended. 
 
In the Series
Thursday's contest will be the first meeting between the two programs

About West Liberty
West Liberty University
Hilltopper Athletics
Football
Schedule
Roster
Statistics

The Hilltoppers own a 3-6 overall record and all of their games to this point have been in Mountain East Conference play. West Liberty won two of their first three games of the season by a field goal with a 24-21 win over Urbana and a 9-6 victory over University of Charleston. Last week, the Hilltoppers defeated Concord University by a 44-14 margin and improved to 3-2 at West Family Stadium this season.

Brent Colabella and Lukas O'Connor have both seen significant time under center and have combined for 17 touchdown passes. Colabella has completed 59.4 percent of his attempts and has 1,116 passing yards. His top target has been Ian Kelly, who has caught 38 passes for 331 yards and two scores. Jeremiah Ortiz has been the featured back and has an impressive 4.9 yards per carry average and two touchdowns. Kicker Chris Morris has been reliable for the Hilltoppers and has converted six of his nine field goal attempts. He also averages 43.5 yards on 34 punts with seven downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Clifford Clark has been a standout performer for the defense and has 73.5 tackles with five for a loss. Logan Deri is the squad's second leading tackler and has a team-best three interceptions.
 
Up Next
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium next Saturday to host Midwestern State in Lone Star Conference action. The contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT, and sponsored by Big Valley Auto.