Friday, September 15, 2017
PORTALES, NM — After a 2-0 start, the Eastern New Mexico University football team will face its biggest test this weekend. The Greyhounds are set for a clash of undefeated Lone Star Conference teams at third-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce.
For their efforts, the Greyhounds have moved up in the receiving votes section of the latest American Football Coaches Association poll. After earning seven votes last week, the Hounds have accumulated 18 and are the eighth team in that section. Angelo State and West Texas A&M also appear in the receiving votes section, while Midwestern State is ranked 13th.
How to Follow the Game
For ticket information, please visit the Texas A&M-Commerce website. The game will be broadcast by KSEL Country 105.9 FM, with a livestream offered on the station’s website. Live statistics and a video stream will be available on www.LionAthletics.com, and links will be provided on the ENMU football schedule page.
About the Greyhounds
Eastern New Mexico University
Greyhound Athletics
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The Greyhounds were extremely efficient in their 37-34 win at Western New Mexico as displayed by their 5-1 victory in the turnover battle. Eastern’s 17 points off turnover were the team’s most since scoring 21 points in that fashion against Bacone College on October 10, 2015. Tayshaun Gary exploded for a team-high 113 yards on just nine carries, while Kamal Cass ran for 91 yards and two scores. The special teams played a key role in the game by recovering four on-sides kicks and with Bailey Hale‘s 32-yard field goal. On defense, Hayden Hill, Zach Johnson and Josh Millerforced fumbles, while Brad Hardin and Dion Page intercepted passes.
The Hounds are second in the Lone Star Conference in rushing offense and defense. They also rank third in the league in punt return average. Eastern boasts the LSC’s top kick-coverage unit with league-bests 61.6 yard average per kick and eight touchbacks. The Hounds offensively rank fourth in total first downs and defensively in opponent’s third-down conversions. Eastern leads the LSC in time of possession at 36:56 per game.
Cass is fifth in the conference in rushing, while Gary ranks ninth. Cass also is fourth in scoring at nine points per game. Bailey Hale leads the league with 18 kicking points and has made four field goals in five attempts. D’maujeric Tucker is the conference’s eighth-leading kick returner, Wyatt Strand ranks fifth in total offense, while Cass is tenth in all-purpose yardage. Nicholas Little has handled the punting duties and rates fifth in average. Desmond Blue has been a disruptive force and is sixth in the league in sacks and eighth in tackles for a loss. Tobi Amadi and Deion Hart have been stellar for Eastern in coverage and rank fifth and sixth in the LSC in passes defended. After two weeks, KeAndre hall remains the only LSC player with multiple recovered fumbles, while Johnson has forced a league-best three fumbles.
In the Series
The Greyhounds are 12-15 against Texas A&M-Commerce with a 4-11 road record. Eastern is looking to snap a three-game skid in the series.
The last time the Hounds picked up a win in Commerce, Texas, came in a 42-35 decision in the 2013 finale. Darrelyn McCloud made an interception in the ENMU endzone as time expired to clinch both the game and a share of the Lone Star Conference title. Both D’Maujeric Tucker and Christian Long topped the century mark on the ground, with Long finding the endzone on two occasions. Jeremy Buurma passed for 146 yards with 107 yards going to Jacob Johnson on five catches for two scores.
About Texas A&M-Commerce
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Last week, the Lions earned a 59-6 win over William Jewell to notch their fourth consecutive home win. Last year, Texas A&M-Commerce posted a 5-1 mark at Memorial Field with the lone setback coming to Midwestern State by a single point.
Quarterback Luis Perez leads the Lions with a 207.5 efficiency rating with four touchdown passes. His favorite target has been Buck Wilson with 10 catches for 83 yards and two scores.
Up Next
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will host Angelo State next Saturday. The contest is Eastern’s Hall of Honors Game, Military Appreciation Day and will be sponsored by Bank of Clovis.
