Friday, September 22, 2017
PORTALES, NM — After a stirring win over Angelo State, the Eastern new Mexico University football team is ready to head to Canyon, Texas, to face West Texas A&M. The teams will compete for the Wagon Wheel, as they have nearly every year since 1986 in one of the most anticipated rivalry games in Division II football.
How to Follow the Game
For information on how to attend, please visit the ticket page on the WT Athletics site. 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.GoBuffsGo.com, and links will be provided on the ENMU football schedule page and main index page.
In the Polls
The Greyhounds received four votes in the latest AFCA poll, after their 31-21 win over Angelo State. The Hounds have been in the receiving votes section of the poll for four consecutive weeks. The last time ENMU was in the top-25 or receiving votes section of the poll for four straight weeks was the 2002 season.
About the Greyhounds
Eastern New Mexico University
Greyhound Athletics
Greyhound Football
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
Eastern is 1-1 on the road this season with a 37-34 win over cross-state rival Western New Mexico University and a loss to second-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce.
The ground game has been a staple of the Greyhound football team and they are second in the LSC in that category on both sides of the ball. ENMU also is third in the conference in punt return average and third in kick coverage. Offensively, ENMU ranks fourth in first downs and second in third-down conversions.
Kamal Cass, the LSC Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year leads the league in rushing, while Wyatt Strand ranks eighth and Tayshaun Gary is 13th. Johnny Smith ranks second in the LSC in yards per reception. Bailey Hale has been extremely reliable and is second in the LSC in kicking points and fifth overall. Cass is third in all-purpose yardage and tenth in total offense. Nicolas Little is third in punt average. Tobi Amadi is third in passes defended, while Deion Hart and Desmond Blue are 10th and 11th, respectively. Entering the fourth week of the season, KeAndre Hal remains the one of three LSC players with more than one fumble recovery, while Zach Johnsonleads the league in forced fumbles.
In the Series
The Greyhounds are 15-16 against West Texas A&M, with a 14-15 record when the teams meet for the Wagon Wheel. Last season, the Hounds rallied from a 28-7 deficit to earn their fourth win in the last five meetings.
A pair of third quarter turnovers allowed ENMU to hold the ball for 12:25 of the period as the Hounds finished the contest with 37:57 of possession time. A huge part of the Greyhounds’ success in the game was due to Chivasiay Gallagher‘s career-best 122-yard, two-touchdown effort at fullback. Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year Wyatt Strand completed five of his seven pass attempts, which included a one-yard touchdown to Logan O’Brien. Linebacker Brad Hardinfinished with nine tackles and an interception.
Prior to the first recognized meeting between the teams in 1948, which was a 56-7 win for WT, the Hounds played West Texas State Teacher’s College’s freshman team from 1934-38 and posted a 4-1 record.
About West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M University
Buffalo Athletics
Football
Schedule
Roster
Statistics
The Buffaloes enter this week with a 2-2 mark with a 2-1 record at home. In the second week of the season, WT’s defense took over in a tight game against seventh-ranked Colorado State Puebloand propelled the team to a 23-21 win.
Quarterback Josh Houghtaling and running back Warren Witherspoon lead an extremely balanced offense. Carter James has been a disruptive force for the Buffalo defense and has registered five sacks.
Up Next
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will host UT-Permian Basin for Homecoming next Saturday p.m. MT. The contest will be sponsored by JP Stone Community Bank.
