SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University football team returns home for just the second time this season when they will host Western State Colorado University with a noon kickoff at Ben Altamirano Field.


WNMU (1-4, 1-3 RMAC) comes off of a tough loss at Colorado Mesa last week in which they fell by a score of 22-17. The Mustangs came back late with a touchdown, but the Mavs were able to run out the clock for the victory.


The Mustangs played well last time at home coming away with an upset win over Colorado Mines, 25-22, on Homecoming. The Orediggers were receiving votes in the AFCA poll at the time of the matchup.


The rushing attack picked up for the Mustangs last week with Abe Macias chewing up 131 yards on 28 carries with a touchdown. Khayree Sanders (Fontana, CA/Carter) also went for an additional 41 yards on eight attempts. Through the air, Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) has passed for 1,367 yards this season, completing 104-of-193 passes with 11 touchdowns. Ronnell Pompey (Los Angeles, CA/Fairfax Senior HS) has collected 30 receptions for 672 yards and four scores. Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) has an additional three touchdown grabs, along with 28 catches for 282 yards.


Defensively, Jerrald Hines (Los Angeles, CA/) leads the team in total tackles with 34, with 18 solo, along with five tackles for loss, two sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Deshawn Hathorne has both interceptions on the season.


WNMU defeated Western State, 28-0, last year in Gunnison. They also won the last matchup in Silver City coming away with a 31-10 win in 2011. WNMU holds a three-game winning streak in the series with the last win for Western State occurring in 2009 in Silver City, 38-19.


The Mountaineers are also 1-4 overall on the season and 1-2 in the conference. They collected their first win of the season last week at home over New Mexico Highlands, 33-27. This will be the first road game for WSCU since Sep. 21 when they lost a close 16-14 game at Adams State. They were suppose to play at Black Hills State on Oct. 5 in Spearfish, but due to the area receiving over four feet of snow, the game was postponed. The Mountaineers have also faced Idaho State (L, 3-29), West Texas A&M (L, 21-48), and Chadron State (L, 13-35). Brett Arrivey is the main quarterback for WSCU throwing for 749 yards and six touchdowns. On the ground, Austin Ekeler has accounted for 574 of the 644 rushing yards, he also has all three scores. On the receiving end, Ekeler leads in receptions with 13, while Travis Haney has the most yards at 164. Chris Morgan has snagged two touchdown passes. Jaden Terry leads the defense with 39 stops, with 22 coming solo, he also has 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.


Live video, live stats and live audio will be available for the game.