Football | 9/8/2017 9:43:00 AM

Friday, September 8, 2017

PORTALES, NM — After a stirring win over 18^th-ranked Southwest Baptist to open the season, the Eastern New Mexico University football team (1-0) will hit the road for the next two game road swing. The Hounds are one of four Lone Star Conference teams to head into the second week of the season with a 1-0 record.

For their efforts, the Greyhounds are receiving seven votes in this week's American Football Coaches Association poll. The poll has two LSC teams in the top 25 (Texas A&M-Commerce 3^rd and Midwestern State 16^th), while ENMU and Angelo State are receiving votes.

How to Follow the Game
Kick off is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT. For ticket information, please visit the Western New Mexico University website. The game will be broadcast by KSEL Country 105.9 FM, with a livestream offered on the station's website. Live statistics and a video stream will be available on www.WNMUMustangs.com, and links will be provided on the ENMU football schedule page.

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

After scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter against SBU, the Hounds relied on LSC Special Teams Player of the Week, Bailey Hale the rest of the way. The sophomore kicker scored 11 points on the day, and became the first Greyhound since 2005 to connect on multiple 40-yard field goals in a game since 2005. The defense also was strong and limited the Bearcats to just four-for-14 on third-down attempts.
 
In the 38 seasons they won their opening contest, the Greyhounds have posted 27 winning seasons, nine losing seasons, and a pair of .500 seasons. In contrast, when the Greyhounds dropped their season opener, they have had 25 losing seasons, 10 winning seasons, and three .500 seasons. ENMU has earned a tie in its opener three times, with one winning season and two losing seasons following.

Eastern is fourth in the LSC in rushing after a 204-yard performance against SBU. The Greyhound defense is fourth in opponents' first downs and in third-down conversions allowed. Kamal Cass and Wyatt Strand are sixth and seventh in the league in rushing yards. Strand is eighth in total offense. Hale is fourth in overall scoring with 11 points. Running back D'Maujeric Tucker is making a significant contribution to the special teams as well and ranks fourth in the league in kick-return average, while Leondre Williams boasts the conference's top punt return average. Defensively, Fe'ao Vunipola is tenth in tackles per game. Zach Johnson is the only player in the LSC to force more than one fumble. Tobi Amadi and Deion Hart lead a secondary which has batted a number of passes down.
 
In the Series
The Greyhounds are 39-15-2 against Western New Mexico and have won the last 12 meetings. Saturday will mark the first road game against the Mustangs since the 2005 season, and ENMU holds a 16-9-2 mark in Silver City meetings. WNMU hosted the initial game between the programs on October 12, 1934, which ended in a 6-6 tie. They also hosted the next contest which was a 7-7 tie. It wouldn't be until game three of the series on October 14, 1935, that Eastern would be the first team to earn victory in the series, with a 12-6 decision, played in Clovis, N.M.
 
Last season the teams played in front of 4,200 fans during the spectacular Grand opening of Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium. Eastern charged to a 17-0 lead which featured a scintillating 78-yard touchdown sprint by Kamal Cass. Eastern pulled away for a 37-16 win. The contest was the first start of LSC Freshman of the Year Wyatt Strand's career and he responded with a 99-yard passing effort and a rushing touchdown. Cass exploded for 232 rushing yards and two scores. Brad Hardin paced the defense with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a recovery, while Desmond Blue had six stops and an interception.

About Western New Mexico
Western New Mexico University
Mustang Athletics
Football
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Statistics

Last week, the Mustangs dropped a hard fought game at University of San Diego. WNMU charged to a 13-0 lead, but the Toreros rallied for a 34-20 win. During the game, LSC Offensive Player of the Week D'Angelo Bowie hauled in a conference-record 19 passes for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Evan Beebe made seven receptions for 83 yards. Quarterback Javia Hall finished with 464 yards through the air. WNMU outgained San Diego in total offense 516-339 and is second in the LSC in total offense. The Mustangs lead the league in passing offense.
 
Up Next
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will visit  Texas A&M-Commerce next week. The Hounds will return home on Saturday, September 23, to face Angelo State. The contest is Eastern's Hall of Honors Game, Military Appreciation Day and will be sponsored by Bank of Clovis.