PORTALES, N.M. – Wagon Wheel Game.

There is no better way to introduce the next game for Eastern New Mexico football as they host West Texas A&M inside Greyhound Stadium Saturday afternoon. Before the 35th Wagon Wheel Game, please look at the 4th & 1:

First Down – Near Record Marks: ENMU football is coming off a dominating 62-17 road win over Lincoln (Mo.). The victory marked several top-ten marks in program history, including the second most rushing yards ever (548). Eastern New Mexico also earned 36 first downs which is the most since 2009. Freshman Elijah Zeh became the second Greyhound this season to score three rushing touchdowns in a game. Overall, the Hounds combined for eight scores on the ground and one through the air. The passing play proved to be the third long in program history as Mario Sanchez connected with Andre Jones for a 92-yarder in the first quarter.

Second Down – A Wheel And A Way: Last year, Eastern went into Canyon and earned a 24-21 victory over the Buffalos. A score in the final 14 seconds carried the Greyhounds over WT and tied the overall Wagon Wheel series at 17 games apiece. ENMU has not won a game versus the Lone Star Conference rival since 2016 when the Hounds were led by Josh Lynn (current West Texas A&M coach). Since then, the road team has won the game every time, including three wins for Eastern New Mexico. Head coach Kelley Lee is 2-1 as a head coach in the annual rivalry game played since 1986.

Third Down – Climbing Statistical Rankings: Eastern New Mexico ranks first in the Lone Star Conference in completion percentage (.600), passes had intercepted (0), passing yards allowed (137.1), passing yards per completion (17.83), redzone offense (93.1%), rushing offense (275.2), passing efficiency (190.21), time of possession (31:48), and turnovers lost (10). Freshman Robert Nora is among three players in the LSC with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Freshman Andre Jones ranks first in the conference in receiving yards (525) and receiving touchdowns (6).

Fourth Down – The Buff Special: Despite coming into Portales with a 3-6 mark, WT brings one of the top special teams units to Saturday's contest. The program leads the Lone Star Conference in blocked kicks (4), blocked punts (4), net punting (39.87), and punt returns (14.45). Thee of the blocked kicks have come from WT's Cade Cox. Another player to watch out for is Tory Simmons who has two punt return scores in 2023. Also, Tyler Sweet is second in the conference in kickoff yards per return (23.5).

&1 – Lee v. Lynn: It would be inappropriate not to mention the two program leaders on the sidelines Saturday. Eastern New Mexico is led by fourth year head coach Kelley Lee who has gone 25-17 at ENMU. West Texas A&M is coached by Josh Lynn who went 27-25 in five seasons at Eastern before coaching at Nebraska-Kearney and now WT. Lee served as the offensive coordinator when Lynn coached for the Greyhounds. This will be the first matchup for the two on opposite sidelines.