SILVER CITY, N.M. – If playing No. 10 Midwestern State two weeks ago wasn't enough, No. 9 Texas A&M-Commerce is set to make the trip to Silver City this Saturday to face the Western New Mexico University football team at noon.

Texas A&M-Commerce is coming off of a hard-fought loss to now No. 4 Midwestern State this past weekend when they lost by a point, 26-25. The Lions are 5-1 overall this season and 3-1 in the Lone Star Conference. Their other conference wins include Eastern N.M. (49-10), Texas A&M-Kingsville (38-36) and Oklahoma Panhandle State (35-13). They hold a 3-0 mark away from home.

WNMU has dropped a couple of close games the past two weekends against Midwestern State and most recently a three-point loss to Tarleton State (44-41). The Mustangs are 2-4 on the season and 2-3 in the LSC.

The Mustangs have been piling up the yards, points and turnovers and remain ranked high in several categories. Currently fourth in the LSC and 53rd nationally in third down conversion percentage (.418), first and 19th in fourth down conversion defense (.250), third and 18th in blocked kicks (3), first and eighth in blocked punts (2), tied for first and tied for first in blocked punts allowed (0), fifth and 79th in fewest penalties per game (7.17), fifth and 74th in fewest penalty yards per game (62.33), second and 55th in first downs (128), third and 51st in fumbles lost (4), second and 18th in fumbles recovered (7), third and 37th in net punting (36.03), fifth and 48th in passes had intercepted (5), fourth and 64th in passes intercepted (7), third and 26th in passing offense (293.3), third and 46th in passing yards allowed (192.7), fifth and 61st in passing yards per completion (13.23), fourth and 47th in punt returns (11.64), fifth in sacks allowed (2.33), fourth and 60th in scoring offense (31.8), third and 66th in tackles for loss allowed (6.08), fifth and 41st in team passing efficiency (144.66), fifth and 86th in team passing efficiency defense (126.73), third and 86th in time of possession (29:44), fifth and 63rd in total offense (414), third and 23rd in turnover margin (0.83), first and 33rd in turnovers gained (14) and third and 42nd in turnovers lost (9).

Individually, senior wide out Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) has done nothing but add to his All-American campaign from last season as he ranks first in the LSC and 16th nationally in receiving touchdowns (7), first and 22nd in receiving yards (613), first and 26th in receiving yards per game (102.2), first and 22nd in receptions per game (6.8). Fellow wide out redshirt junior Treydonte Hill (Nashville, TN/Cane Ridge) has made a strong impact in his first season and is right behind Ayers in several categories coming in fourth and 77th in combined kick returns (298), and third and 46th in receiving touchdowns (5). The man triggering the offense in senior quarterback Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) is right there in many categories as he is fourth and 37th in completions per game (19.83), fourth and 30th in passing efficiency (151.9), first and 13th in passing touchdowns (16), second and 28th in passing yards (1,565), third and 33rd in passing yards per game (260.8), fourth and 64th in passing yards per completion (13.15), first and 16th in points responsible for (110) and first and 18th in points responsible for per game (18.3). Senior Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) in second and 28th in fumbles forced per game (0.33), junior Ian Davis (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) is second and 10th in fumbles recovered (2), redshirt freshman Tyler Vargas (Ramona, CA/Ramona) is third and 23rd in punting (41.6) and redshirt junior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) is starting to climb the leaderboards in terms of total tackles per game at 8.5 which is good for eighth in the conference and 85th nationally.

Texas A&M-Commerce averages 37.40 points per game and holds opponents to a 22.60 clip. They hold a 1,503-1,192 advantage on yards. Individually Richard Cooper, the LSC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, has rushed for 556 yards on 89 carries with six scores. Luis Perez has taken over at QB in his first year and has completed 103-155 for 1,436 yards and 13 scores to just one interception. Five receivers have at least 100 yards receiving led by Lance Davis' 394 yards on 25 catches and four touchdowns. Darby Smith also has four scores to go along with 14 catches for 296 yards. The Lions are evenly distributed on defense with the highest player in tackles is Brucks Saathoff with 28. Hatari Byrd adds 27 and Yusef Sterling-Lowe has 26.

Live video, stats and audio will be available for the game with Mike Rowse on the call for KSCQ 92.9 and streamed live beginning with the pregame show 30 minutes prior to kickoff.