SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Western New Mexico University football team makes their annual trek to San Diego this Saturday to face the University of San Diego.

This will be the third time in that last four years that WNMU and USD have opened the season against each other, with every matchup coming in San Diego. This year's meeting will be the sixth straight matchup for the teams since starting the series back in 2011.

Although the Toreros have won all of the matchups since 2011, several have been close. Recently back in 2014, the Mustangs were driving late in the game with a chance to win, before coming up just short in a 23-17 defeat.

Returning players that had a big game in San Diego last year include senior Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) who went for nine catches and 132 yards. On defense, senior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) tallied eight tackles, while senior Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) added a sack.

San Diego had a strong season last year dropping just two games on their way to a 9-2 season. Top returners include Jereke Armstrong who led the team in rushing with 662 yards and seven touchdowns. Jonah Hodges, who has had big seasons in the past for the Toreros, was only able to play in four games last year due to injury. Anthony Lawrence returns at quarterback where he completed 188-of-295 passes for 2,392 yards and 23 touchdowns. Tight end Ross Dwelley was the go-to force throughout the season as he led the team with 54 catches, while adding 580 yards and three touchdowns. Brian Riley led the team with eight touchdown catches and 782 yards. Colton Giorgi led the defense in tackles with 64, while Jon Peterson led in tackles for loss with 16, but graduated last season. He also led the team in sacks with eight, while Devyn Bryant collected five interceptions.

The Mustangs return All-American wide receiver Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) after he caught 91 passes for 1,356 yards and five touchdowns. The next top returning receiver on the list includes junior Evan Beebe (Chula Vista, CA/Mater Dei Catholic) who had 15 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, junior Tracy McNair (San Diego, CA/Morse) returns after carrying the ball 25 times for 70 yards. Senior Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) added 70 yards on the ground as well last year on 18 attempts.

Senior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) anchors the linebacking core and the defense after leading the team in stops with 64 last year, including 26 solo and three tackles for loss. He also added three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and both a forced fumble and recovery. Senior Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) leads the secondary as he had a team-high 13 tackles for loss, along with 58 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, six passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and one forced. Junior Aaron Leauma (San Marcos, CA/Mission Hills) (53) and senior Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) (45) are next on the list in terms of tackles from last season returning. Leauma led the team with 3.5 sacks.

WNMU and USD will play at 6 p.m. (Pacific Time) Saturday evening. Live video, stats and audio will be available for the game with Mike Rowse on the call for KSCQ 92.9 and streamed live.