STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Having come close to knocking of nationally-ranked Midwestern State last week, the Western New Mexico University football team will hit the road to play at Tarleton State University this Saturday with kickoff set for 7 p.m. (Central Time).

WNMU is 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the Lone Star Conference so far this season. The Mustangs have averaged 30 points per game, while allowing 29. The team has piled up 1,974 yards this season, while allowing 2,163. The passing game has dominated in the early going with 1,313 coming through the air compared to 661 on the ground.

Nationally as a team, WNMU is in the top-50 in several categories including 20^th and tied for the conference lead in fourth down conversion percentage defense (.250), 36^th and fourth in the LSC in blocked kicks (2), 19^th and second in blocked punts (1), tied for first in blocked punts allowed (0), 47^th and third in fumbles lost (3), 17^th and second in fumbles recovered (6), 18^th and first in net punting (38.14), 43^rd and fifth in passes had intercepted (4), 49^th and third in passing offense per game (262.6), 23^rd and third in passing yards allowed (170.6), 43^rd and fourth in punt return yards per attempt (12.30), 42^nd and fourth in team passing efficiency defense (114.42), 31^st and third in turnover margin (0.80), 44^th and third in turnovers gained (11), 37^th and third in turnovers lost (7).

Senior Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) has caught fire in recent games and his name is all over the top of the conference and nationally rankings. He leads the LSC in receiving touchdowns (7), good for sixth nationally, receiving yards (556), 17^th nationally, receiving yards per game (111.2), 19^th nationally, receptions per game (7.0), 18^th nationally. He is third in the conference in scoring at 8.4 per game, 43^rd nationally, eighth in points responsible for (42) and sixth in all-purpose yards per game (111.20).

Senior quarterback Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) has also seen his numbers improve across the board and is showing up in several areas. He leads the LSC in points responsible for (84), 24^th nationally, passing touchdowns (12), 27^th nationally. He is third in the conference in points responsible for per game (16.8), 30^th nationally, fourth in passing efficiency (143.6), 44^th nationally, passing yards (1,118), 58^th nationally and in passing yards per game (223.6), 63^rd nationally. Hall is fifth in passing yards per completion (12.85), 73^rd nationally and in completions per game (17.40), 68^th nationally.

Freshman DeAndre Williams (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet) burst onto the scene last week and his numbers are already near the top-10 in the LSC. He is eighth in rushing yards per game (66.3) and 11^th in rushing yards (265). Redshirt junior Treydonte Hill (Nashville, TN/Cane Ridge) has been the other main target behind Ayers and he is third in the LSC in receiving touchdowns (4), 55^th nationally, fourth in combined kick returns (247), 84^th nationally and is fifth in kickoff returns (24.7), 69^th nationally.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Vargas (Ramona, CA/Ramona) has made a big impact in the kicking game this season and he ranks second in the conference and 19^th nationally in punting (42.2), eighth and 95^th nationally in field goal percentage (.40).

Junior Ian Davis (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union)' 0.40 interceptions per game is good for third in the conference and 71^st nationally. Freshman Mazin Khalil (Murrieta, CA/Murrieta Valley) remains tied for first both in the conference and nationally with his kickoff return touchdown. Senior Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) is second in the conference and 21^st nationally in forced fumbles per game at 0.40. Senior Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) is tied for first both nationally and in the LSC with his punt return touchdown.

Tarleton State enters with the same 2-3 overall record, but are 2-1 in the LSC. They cruised to a 48-20 win over LSC newcomer UT Permian Basin this past weekend. They are 0-2 away from home this season with losses at McNeese State and West Texas A&M.

The Texans average 27.80 points per game and allow 25.20. They have compiled 1,714 yards to 2,178 for opponents. Just like the Mustangs, most of their yardage comes via the air at 1,198 to 516 on the ground.

Joseph Sadler leads the rushing attack with 291 yards on 65 attempts and two scores. Curtis McGregor leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. Zed Woerner has completed 83-133 for 1,078 yards and 12 touchdowns to just one interception. His efficiency rate sits at 158.76.

Three receivers have at least 19 receptions with Bubba Tandy leading the way with 22 catches for 381 yards and five scores. Del'Michael High adds 19 catches for 356 yards and four scores.

On defense, Cody Burtscher has 56 stops, with 21 coming solo. Chase Varnado has five sacks, as Tarleton State already has 22 team sacks. Burtscher and Dominique Martin lead the team in interceptions with two apiece.

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.