KINGSVILLE, Texas – The nearly 900 mile trip of the season is here when the Western New Mexico University football team travels to Kingsville to face Texas A&M-Kingsville this Saturday night at 7 p.m. (Central Time).

WNMU (3-6, 3-4 LSC) is coming off of a strong 20-14 win at home against Angelo State. The Mustangs continue to pile up the offensive numbers as they now have 3,596 total yards (399.6 per game), with a majority of it coming through the air (2,672). Twenty-three of the 31 touchdowns this year have also come via the passing game. WNMU remains on the positive side of the turnover battle at plus-four after not committing a turnover last week and forcing four against the Rams.

In the Lone Star Conference, the Mustangs rank in the top-three in several categories including tying for the lead in blocked punts allowed (0), also tied for first nationally, second in blocked punts (2), tied for 15th nationally, passing yards allowed per game (200.9), 54th nationally, third in fumbles lost (6), 51st nationally, net punting (35.98), 33rd nationally, passes intercepted (12), 39th nationally, passing offense (296.9), 20th nationally, tackles for loss allowed (6.28), turnover margin (0.44), 41st nationally and in turnovers gained (21), 26th nationally.

Individually, Senior Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) and redshirt junior Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) continue to pile up the numbers and move up the rankings. Ayers remains the conference leader in receiving touchdowns (9), 19th nationally, receiving yards (844), 27th nationally, receiving yards per game (93.8), 33rd nationally and in receptions per game (7.0), 14th nationally. He also ranks second in total touchdowns (9). Hall leads the conference in total offense per game (279.6), 34th nationally. He is second in completions per game (21.89), 25th nationally, passing yards (2,477), 20th nationally, points responsible for (146), 26th and in points responsible for per game (16.2). He is third in both passing touchdowns (22), 19th nationally and in passing yards per game (275.2), 25th nationally. Senior Rodney Lawson (Hayward, CA/Patterson) is second on the team to Ayers in receptions with 35, going for 417 yards and two scores. Sophomore Henry Norman (Fontana, CA/Henry J. Kaiser) is second in receiving yards at 457 on 28 catches with two touchdowns. On the ground, freshman DeAndre Williams (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet) leads the way rushing 90 times for 407 yards and three scores. Redshirt juniors Tracy McNair (San Diego, CA/Morse) (34, 173) and Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) (39, 157) are each over 100 yards on the ground.

Defensively, redshirt junior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) leads the team in tackles with 84, including 30 solo stops. He also has six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and four pass defended. He ranks third in the conference and 46th nationally in tackles per game (9.3). Junior Ian Davis (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) has made an impact in several areas as he leads the team with four interceptions, he also has two forced fumbles and recoveries. He has added seven passes defended and 48 tackles, 27 solo. He ranks second in the conference and 34th nationally in interceptions per game (0.4), tied for third with sophomore Connor Mowat (Lahaina, HI/Lahainaluna) in fumbles recovered (2), tied for 20th nationally. Senior Steven Stewart (Fremont, CA/Irvington) is second on the team in tackles with 54 and is tied with Barry tallying six tackles for loss. Mowat leads the team in sacks with three.

Special teams has been clutch at time this season as well with redshirt freshman Tyler Vargas (Ramona, CA/Ramona) amongst the leaders in numerous categories. He leads the conference in punting average (41.2), which is 21st nationally. He checks in seventh in field goal percentage and eighth in field goals per game. Redshirt freshman Romello Pritchett (North Las Vegas, NV/Legacy) is tied for third in the conference and eighth nationally with two blocked kicks. Senior Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) and freshman Mazin Khalil (Murrieta, CA/Murrieta Valley) each have returns for TD this year with Wilson taking back a punt and Khalil an on-side kick. Freshman Nolan Grigsby (Los Angeles, CA/Crenshaw) leads the conference and is 40th nationally in kickoff return yards per game (26.3).

The Mustangs will face a red-hot Javelinas' team that is currently on a four-game winning streak defeating West Texas A&M, UT Permian Basin, Tarleton State and Eastern New Mexico. Texas A&M-Kingsville is 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference, posting a 3-2 mark at home.

Their offense has also been explosive piling up 3,794 yards (421.6 per game), with 2,154 coming through the air. They have 43 total touchdowns with 24 coming via the passing game. Quarterback Myles Carr is having a big season as he has completed 162-243 for 2,109 yards and 23 touchdowns to just six interceptions. Greg Pitre has rushed 116 times for 490 yards and three scores. Nick Pelrean has seven touchdowns, carrying the ball 99 times for 465 yards. Luis Lopez adds six scores on 73 attempts and 387 yards. Anthony Autry has been the main receiving target with 34 catches for 575 yards and six scores. Jordan Thomas adds 28 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns. ZeMarcus Green leads the defense with 46 tackles and adds 4.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. Brandon Jones and Braedon Robinson each have 10.5 tackles for loss, with Jones racking up 8.5 sacks. Jarrod Sanders, Emond Hobbs and Forrest Jones all have two interceptions.

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.