SILVER CITY, N.M. – The 2015 season will showcase many returning players from last year's team that nearly posted the first winning campaign at Western New Mexico University in the past 20 years of football. After finishing fifth last year, the new season will begin a week from Saturday when WNMU opens the season for the first time at home since 2011.

Following an offensive campaign that was among the best in school history, the Mustangs will look to replicate those numbers this season. In 2014, the offense compiled 34.3 points per game, 288 first downs, 1,983 rushing yards, 3,623 passing yards and 50 total touchdowns. The Mustangs scored 100 points or more in the second and fourth quarters a year ago and outscored the opposition 94-71 in the first quarter.

Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) returns to the backfield where he was the RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,296 yards on 229 attempts and six touchdowns. He had a long run of 68 yards and averaged 117.8 yards per game. Other returners that had rushing touchdowns include Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) (1), Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) (4), and Shiane Tupua (Oceanside, CA/Banning) (3). Glasmann continued to set and break his own school marks since WNMU moved to Division II in the 1992-93 season throwing for 3,543 yards, completing 266-of-494 and 33 touchdowns. He had a long pass of 79 yards and averaged 322.1 yards per game. He was named All-RMAC honorable mention for his performance. His main targets that return to the team this year includes Rodgers who caught 28 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) added 27 receptions for 325 yards and four touchdowns and Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) with 26 catches for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Other receiving touchdowns from returners includes Cole Coffeen (Springerville, AZ/Round Valley) (1). Along the offensive line, Zachary Andrews-Worline (San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo) returns following All-RMAC honorable mention honors. Michael Coe (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) was also named All-RMAC Second-Team and to the All-RMAC Preseason Team, but will miss the 2015 season due to injury.

Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral), who earned a multitude from honors including Don Hansen, Beyond Sports Network and All-RMAC First-Team is the top returner in several defensive stats. Guillory compiled 45 tackles, 21 solo, a tackle for loss, five interceptions, two pass breakups and seven passes defended. Anthony Avina (Lake Elsinore, CA/Lakeside HS) (43), Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) (42), and Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) (42) all had over 40 tackles in 2014. Avina leads in returners in terms of sacks tallying 5.5. Avina was also named All-RMAC landing on the Second-Team. Avery Crump (Los Angeles, CA/Verbum Dei) snagged two interceptions and also had two sacks.

Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) is back to do the kicking and punting duties for the Mustangs as he was successful on 44-of-46 on extra point attempts and connected on 9-of-13 on field goals. He punted 59 times and averaged 36.9 yards be punt landing 12 inside the 20 and had four punts that went over 50 yards. In terms of kickoffs, he had 71 for an average of 60.1 yards and 38 touchbacks. Blincoe will be the top returner on kickoffs as he took 22 back for an average of 19.7 yards with a long of 49 yards.

WNMU will open the season at home on Sep. 5 against Arizona Christian. The Mustangs won last year's meeting. The following week will be another return trip to San Diego to face the University of San Diego. The Mustangs have come close in the past few years to coming away with a victory. On Sep. 19 it will be a battle for the Warrior Helmet's trophy when New Mexico Highlands travels to Silver City. The Cowboys claimed last year's contest. To end September on Sep. 26, the Mustangs will play at Colorado State University-Pueblo as the ThunderWolves are the defending National Champions and won last year's meeting. To begin October on Oct. 3 WNMU will play at Fort Lewis College as the Mustangs took last year's meeting. Homecoming will follow for the Mustangs on Oct. 10 when Colorado Mines comes to town. Last year's game was a back-and-forth affair that went to the Orediggers. Oct. 17 will be a road game in Grand Junction against Colorado Mesa. The Mustangs nearly had the win against the Mavericks last year before Colorado Mesa stormed back to take the win. Oct. 24 will be a home game versus Western State Colorado. WNMU won last year and have won the last five games in the series. To end October, WNMU plays at Adams State on Oct. 31. The Mustangs came back strong to win last year's game, erasing a 19-point deficit over the final quarter-plus to take the victory. The final two games of the season will take place in November as WNMU will have senior day on Nov. 7 against Chadron State. The Mustangs had a similar game against the Eagles like they did against the Orediggers last year, as the teams went back-and-forth before Chadron State drove down the field late in the game for the win. To end the regular season on Nov. 14 WNMU will play in Spearfish, S.D., against Black Hills State. WNMU won last year's meeting and have won the last two in the series.