Football Looks to Carry Momentum From MSU Game Into Matchup With Texans

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SILVER CITY, N.M. – Coming off of an impressive showing against the then No. 12 ranked team in the nation, the Western New Mexico University football team will look to carry that momentum into this Saturday's matchup with Tarleton State with kickoff set for noon inside Altamirano Field.

WNMU (0-5, 0-3 LSC) went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the Lone Star Conference in Midwestern State, as it was just a four-point game into the fourth quarter when MSU pulled out the 11-point victory.

Something that the Mustangs hope will continue into this week is the ground attack, as WNMU piled up 139 yards on the ground, with senior Justin Harris (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) accounting for 109 of those yards. Redshirt senior Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) passed for 328 yards and two scores and didn't have a turnover, as WNMU as a team had just one turnover in the contest.

Last year's game in Stephenville featured just about everything between these two teams. Tarleton State (4-1, 3-0 LSC) raced out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, just to watch the Mustangs fight back to eventually tie the game at 21 right out of halftime. The Texans regained the lead and pushed the advantage back to double-digits before WNMU made one last run to get to within three with six minutes left and again with just under two minutes left before Tarleton State escaped with the 44-41 victory.

Both offenses ran up and down the field with WNMU outgaining TSU 515-450, as Hall passed for 447 yards and four touchdowns.

As a team, WNMU has tallied 131 points, averaging 473.2 yards per game, with 396.2 through the air and 77 on the ground.

WNMU continues to lead the nation in passing yards per game at 396.2. The offense is also sixth nationally in first downs with 126 and rank 16th in total offense per game at 471.2. Special teams have also been solid in several areas, limiting teams to just a 15.50 per game average on returns, 10th best nationally, sixth in punt return defense, allowing 0.00 yards average per return and junior Collin Grady (Glendora, CA/Glendora) has done an outstanding job having to fill-in as the punter this year, as he ranks 15th nationally and third in the conference averaging 38.43 yards per boot.

Hall remains one of the top passer nationally in many categories including first in passing yards (1,981), first in passing yards per game (396.2), first in completions per game (30.40) and first in total offense per game (393.6). He is also sixth in passing touchdowns (15) and ninth in points responsible for (96). Redshirt senior receiver D'Angelo Bowie (Virginia Beach, VA/Landstown) has taken advantage of all the passing as he ranks third in receiving yards per game (155.5), third in receptions per game (10.8), fourth in receiving yards (622) and ninth in receiving touchdowns (6). Senior Evan Beebe (Chula Vista, CA/Mater Dei Catholic) is third in the conference in receptions per game (5.5), fourth in receiving yards per game (78.5) and seventh in receiving yards (314). Freshman Sean North (Corona, CA/Santiago) is second in the conference in receiving touchdowns (4) and ranks 28th nationally averaging 28.1 yards per kickoff return, second in the LSC. Redshirt senior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) is 32nd nationally and fourth in the LSC in total tackles per game (10). Senior Ian Davis (Grass Valley, CA/Nevada Union) is eighth in the conference at 8.2.

Other key stats on the team this season include Harris rushing for 308 yards and two touchdowns, freshman Elijah Jones (Gilbert, AZ/Campo Verde) is second on the team in receiving yards with 328, along with two touchdowns, Barry has a total of 52 tackles, 16 solo, along with 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack, Davis is second with 41 stops and a team-high 24 solo, Junior Joe Tito (Las Vegas, NV/Cimarron-Memorial) has a pair of sacks and junior AJ Smith (San Diego, CA/Point Loma) has an interception.

The Texans are currently on a four-game winning streak after falling to nationally-ranked Delta State to start the season. They are 2-1 away from home with wins against Angelo State and UT Permian Basin. TSU claimed a 32-17 win over the Falcons last week, as they moved out to a 25-10 lead and after UTPB got back to within eight at 25-17, TSU sealed the win with a 76-yard TD pass with just under five minutes to play.

As a team, the Texans average 31.20 points per game and allow 23.0 points, they post 334.2 yards per game, while opponents are at 451.4. They have taken advantage of turnovers, as they are plus-five in total turnovers, recovering eight fumbles and four interceptions.

Quarterback Zed Woerner has been consistent throwing for eight touchdowns to just one interception for 693 yards, completing 49-82. Jeff Thomas has been the main target bringing in 23 passes for 365 yards and four scores. Del'Michael High has added 15 catches for 273 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Xavier Turner has rushed for 341 yards and five scores in 63 carries, while Adam Berryman has added 195 yards on 42 carries and three scores.

On defense, Basil Jackson has 56 tackles, 26 solo, along with four tackles for loss, along with both a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Tyrell Thompson has two sacks and Andrew Blackshire has two interceptions.

Live video and stats will be available for the game with Mike Rowse on the call on the live stream that starts approximately 15 minutes before kickoff.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Dominic Barry: LB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#8 Evan Beebe: WR; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#1 D'Angelo Bowie: WR; 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior

#23 Ian Davis: S; 6' 3"; Senior

#20 Collin Grady: DB; 5' 10"; Junior

#25 Justin Harris: RB; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior

#82 Elijah Jones: WR/DB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

#7 AJ Smith: DB; 6' 1"; Senior

#13 Joe Tito: ATH; 6' 3"; Junior

#17 Sean North: WR; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#9 Dominic Barry
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: LB

#8 Evan Beebe
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: WR

#1 D'Angelo Bowie
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Senior
: WR

#23 Ian Davis
: 6' 3"; Senior
: S

#20 Collin Grady
: 5' 10"; Junior
: DB

#25 Justin Harris
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior
: RB

#82 Elijah Jones
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman
: WR/DB

#7 AJ Smith
: 6' 1"; Senior
: DB

#13 Joe Tito
: 6' 3"; Junior
: ATH

#17 Sean North
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: WR