CHADRON, Neb. – Riding a two-game winning streak, the Western New Mexico University football team will look to reach three straight and move to 5-5 overall on the season when they travel to face Chadron State College this Saturday at noon.
The Eagles have won all eight meetings in the series dating back to the first in 2006. Last season, Chadron State came away with a 59-17 win in Silver City. Last time in Chadron, the Eagles pulled away late for the 41-23 victory in 2012. WNMU nearly defeated the Eagles in 2011, coming up just short, 21-13.
A win by the Mustangs would be the most since the team went 5-6 in 2011. WNMU could still finish with a winning record with a win this week and next week against Black Hills State which would be the first time since 1994 when the Mustangs went 5-4 under Charlie Wade.
CSC is 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the RMAC and are currently ranked ninth in the latest NCAA Super Region 4 Rankings. The Eagles have also won two in a row with victories against Black Hills State (33-28) and New Mexico Highlands (52-38). They have gone 3-1 at home with their only loss to Colorado Mines.
Jonn McLain is the main signal caller throwing for 1,929 yards, completing 183-of-304 with 14 TD to just 6 INT. Kyle Vinich has caught 44 passes for 600 yards and 6 TD, all of which lead the team. Danny O'Boyle and Austen Stephens have added three scores apiece. On the ground, Michael Madkins has 160 carries for 899 yards and 10 TD to lead the squad in each. On defense, Dylan Furrier has 85 total tackles, six for loss and 2.5 sacks. Isaac Holscher has added 72 tackles and 9.5 for loss, along with two sacks. Cole Montgomery has three INT to lead the team.
WNMU (4-5, 3-4 RMAC) fought back for the second straight game for a win, this time in a 40-36 victory against Adams State. The Mustangs erased a 19-point deficit with 30 points over the course of 18-plus minutes.
Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) already eclipsed last year's yards and TDs this past week and has now thrown for 2,940 yards and 27 scores. He has completed 219-of-411.
Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) is just 17 yards shy of 1,000 on the season with 983 yards on 66 receptions and nine TD.
Willie Bobbit (Downey, CA/Downey) (27, 394, 2 TD) and
Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS) (25, 315, 3 TD) are both over 300 yards receiving.
Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra),
Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) and
Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) have added three TD apiece. Rodgers pushed over 1,000 yards last week after compiling 222 net yards against the Grizzlies. A strong candidate for RMAC Freshman of the Year, Rodgers has gone for 1,003 yards on 174 attempts and four TD.
Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) (2 TD),
Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) (1 TD),
Michael Coe (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) (1 TD),
Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) (3 TD) and Glasmann (2 TD) have all added rushing touchdowns as the Mustangs have 13 as a team. On defense,
Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS) remains the leader in tackles with 54, he also leads the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 and has 3.5 sacks.
Brandon Perkins (Tucson, AZ/Desert View ) is second in tackles (44).
Kristian King (Redlands, CA/Redlands East Valley) leads the team in fumble recoveries with three.
Anthony Avina (Lake Elsinore, CA/Lakeside HS) has a team-high 4.5 sacks, while the reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Week
Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) leads with five INT and is just one back of the RMAC lead.
Eldrick Bright (Deland, FL/Deland HS) leads the way in combined passes broken up and defended with 13.
In terms of NCAA rankings the Mustangs are ninth in first downs (231), ninth in total offensive yards per game (504.6), and ninth in passing offense per game (335.6). Individually, King remains tied for fourth in fumble recoveries, Guillory is tied for 19
th in interceptions per game, Glasmann is tied for sixth in passing TDs, fifth in passing yards, eighth in passing yards per game, Byrd is tied for 15
th in receiving TD, ninth in receiving yards, ninth in receiving yards per game, tied for 14
th in receptions per game, Rogers is 25
th in rushing yards and 31
st in yards per game.
In terms of RMAC rankings, WNMU is third in total offense, fourth in passing efficiency, fourth in punt return average, tied for first in sacks against, third in first down per game, third in opponent third down conversion percentage, second in time of possession, fourth in points after touchdowns made. Individually, Rodgers is third in rushing, second in all-purpose yards, Glasmann is third in passing, fourth in efficiency, fourth in total offense, Byrd is second in both receptions per game and receiving yards, Blincoe is third in kick return average, Guillory is third in interceptions and King is tied for first in fumble recoveries.
Live video, audio and stats will be available for the game.
