Football Takes Three-Game Winning Streak on the Road at Texas A&M-Kingsville

KINGSVILLE, Texas – Off to their best start since 2011, the Western Oregon University football team will look to keep the momentum going this week when they travel back to Texas to face Texas A&M-Kingsville this Saturday night with kickoff set for 5 p.m. Pacific.

The Wolves (3-2, 3-0 GNAC) have picked up three straight wins against Azusa Pacific (42-36), Central Washington (36-26) and last time out against Simon Fraser (51-14). Last time out against the Clan Ty Currie threw for three touchdowns completing 13-20 for 226 yards. Andrew Valladares led the rushing attack going for 105 yards on seven carries and a score. Omari Land led in receiving yards taking his one catch on a screen pass for 90 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Reid had a big day throwing a 47-yard touchdown pass and he also caught three passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Jaylin Parnell led the defense with seven tackles, five solo, along with a half-sack and an interception to help him earn GNAC Player of the Week honors. Andrew Gross connected on six extra points, made a 37-yard field goal, averaged 44.2 yards on four punts and averaged 58.6 yards on nine kickoffs to also be named GNAC Player of the Week.

This season WOU is averaging over 35 points per game, tallied 2,179 yards and 25 touchdowns with 15 coming on the ground. Opponents have averaged 31 points per game, 1,838 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Currie has completed 62-114 for 943 yards and nine touchdowns to just three interceptions. On the ground Land leads the way rushing 77 times for 435 yards and six touchdowns. Nico Jackson has carried the ball 66 times for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Currie checks in with 308 yards on the ground on 61 attempts and four scores. Reid leads the receivers with 212 yards on nine catches and a touchdown. Thomas Wright has nine catches for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Marquis Sampson also has two touchdowns on 10 receptions for 142 yards. Justice Murphy (109 yards) and Land (104 yards) round out the five with over 100 yards in receiving. Murphy and Land each have a touchdown as well. Jarren Ford, Shaw Jerome and Damon Hickok each have a receiving touchdown this season.

On defense, Nate Proctor, Jr., leads the way with 35 tackles, 16 solo, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack and a quarterback hurry. Tyler Wharf has 33 tackles with 18 coming solo, while tallying 2.5 tackles for loss and a QB hurry. Jaylin Parnell rounds out the three with over 30 tackles sitting at 32 stops, with 17 solo. He has three tackles for loss, a half-sack, an interception, a pass breakup and a QB hurry. Tyrell Cummings leads the team with two sacks and four tackles for loss. Curtis Anderson has a team-best two interceptions, while Jaylin Parnell and Derek Parnell each have an interception.

On special teams, Gross has averaged 42 yards on 15 punts with a long of 56 yards, three inside the 20 and three traveling over 50 yards. He's gone 1-2 on field goals, making 19-22 extra points and has averaged 60.9 yards on 31 kickoffs.

WOU ranks high nationally and leads the GNAC in several categories including leading the conference and ranking 64^th nationally in third down conversions (.397), first in the GNAC and 33^rd nationally in fourth down conversions (.632), first in the GNAC and 31^st nationally in blocked kicks (2), first in the GNAC and 81^st nationally in completion percentage (.546), 43^rd nationally in first downs (107), 53^rd nationally in fumbles lost (3), first in the GNAC and 21^st nationally in net punting (37.93), first in the GNAC and 29^th nationally in passes that have been intercepted (3), first in the GNAC in passing yards allowed (242.6), 23^rd nationally in passing yards per completion (15.35), first in the GNAC and ninth nationally in punt return defense (0.50), first in the GNAC and 50^th nationally in punt return yards (10.88), first in the GNAC and 54^th nationally in rushing defense (125), first in the GNAC and 21^st nationally in rushing offense (236.2), first in the GNAC in scoring defense (31), first in the GNAC and 33^rd nationally in scoring offense (35.2), first in the GNAC and 69^th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (6), first in the GNAC and 31^st nationally in team passing efficiency (147.76), first in the GNAC in team passing efficiency on defense (126.87), 40^th nationally in time of possession (31:39), first in the GNAC in total defense (367.6), 34^th nationally in total offense (435.8), first in the GNAC and 30^th nationally in turnovers lost (6) and first in the GNAC and 48^th nationally in winning percentage (.600).

Individually, Land is second in the GNAC and 79^th nationally in all-purpose yards (107.8), third in the GNAC in points responsible for (42), second in the GNAC and 20^th nationally in rushing touchdowns (6), second in the GNAC and 32^nd nationally in rushing yards (435), second in the GNAC and 34^th nationally in rushing yards per game (87), second in the GNAC and 36^th nationally in scoring (8.4), second in the GNAC and 30^th nationally in total points scored (42) and second in the GNAC and 20^th nationally in total touchdowns (7). Anderson is second in the GNAC and 41^st nationally in combined kick returns (297) and third in the GNAC and 55^th nationally in interceptions per game (0.4). Currie is first in the GNAC and 85^th nationally in completion percentage (.544), third in the GNAC and 95^th nationally in completions per game (12.4), first in the GNAC and 32^nd nationally in passing efficiency (144.7), first in the GNAC and 40^th nationally in passing touchdowns (9), second in the GNAC and 60^th nationally in passing yards (943), third in the GNAC and 67^th nationally in passing yards per game (188.6), first in the GNAC and 18^th nationally in passing yards per completion (15.2), first in the GNAC and 24^th nationally in points responsible for (82), first in the GNAC and 25^th nationally in points responsible for per game (16.4), third in the GNAC and 60^th nationally in rushing touchdowns (4), first in the GNAC and 31^st nationally in total offense (250.2), third in the GNAC in total touchdowns (4) and first in the GNAC and 28^th nationally in yards per pass attempt (8.27). Gross ranks third in the GNAC in field goals per game. Derek Parnell is first in the GNAC and second in the nation in passes defended (2.5). Reid is first in the GNAC and 20^th nationally in punt return yards per game (11.9). Sampson and Wright are both third in the GNAC in receiving touchdowns (2). Jackson is third in the GNAC and 74^th nationally in rushing yards (343) and third in the GNAC and 85^th nationally in rushing yards per game (68.6).

Last year WOU traveled down to Kingsville and picked up the 13-7 win in the defensive battle. A pair of Saldana field goals and a touchdown pass from Currie to Avery Bradley was enough to get the Wolves the win last year. WOU jumped out to a 10-0 lead and after the Javelinas pulled to within three at 10-7, a Saldana field goal capped the scoring. The teams combined for just 468 yards of offense with WOU going for 211 with 131 on the ground and 80 through the air. Land rushed for 77 yards and Currie added 53 on the ground. Currie passed for just 71 yards completing 7-23. Bo Highburger paced the defense with 10 tackles, along 1.5 sacks. Proctor had two sacks and forced a pair of fumbles.

Texas A&M-Kingsville is 1-4 on the season with their only win coming against Division III Sul Ross State (72-0). Their last three games were all against Lone Star Conference opponents falling to Angelo State (7-44), Eastern New Mexico (34-48) and Texas A&M-Commerce (6-33). This will be the fifth home game already for the Javelinas.

Texas A&M-Kingsville averages 26.6 points, 1,779 yards, with 610 on the ground and 1,333 through the air, recording 17 touchdowns, 11 coming on the ground. Opponents have averaged 32 points, 1,877 yards with 1,016 coming on the ground and 20 touchdowns, 11 through the air.

Cade Dyal has completed 96-156 yards and 992 yards with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Koy Detmer has also seen time completing 33-63 for 258 yards and a touchdown to three interceptions. Dyal took a majority of the snaps last week against the Lions. Luis Lopez leads the rushing attack going for 302 yards on 51 carries and six touchdowns. Kris Barnes has added 110 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns. Darrian Hambrick has caught 23 passes for 320 yards, with Donte Ross adding 275 yards on 19 catches and a touchdown, while Devin Millburn has 29 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Dillworth also has two touchdowns.

On defense, Tre'Michael Tutt has 57 tackles with 29 solo along with 5.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Alec Lewis is second with 29 tackles, 12 solo, along with three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Jacob Clarkson has three sacks and three players have an interception.

On special teams, Karch Kasper has punted 24 times for an average of 41 yards with a long of 60, five landing inside the 20 and four traveling over 50 yards. Romario Perez is 2-3 on field goal attempts with a long of 30. Kasper has averaged 57.3 yards on 14 kickoffs, while Perez has averaged 55.4 yards on 11 kickoffs. Ross has been dangerous in the punt return game taking 12 punts back for an average of 15.67 yards and a touchdown.

WOU and Texas A&M-Kingsville will kickoff at 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday night. Live video and stats will be available for the game with video found here and stats found here.

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Players Mentioned

#44 Bo Highburger: LB; 6' 0"; Senior; 3V

#3 Curtis Anderson: DB; 6' 2"; Junior; 1V

#14 Ty Currie: QB; 6' 2"; Senior; 2V

#81 Jarren Ford: WR; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS

#96 Andrew Gross: K/P; 6' 1"; Junior

#7 Nico Jackson: RB; 6' 2"; Senior; TR

#83 Shaw Jerome: WR; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#23 Omari Dixon-Land: RB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS

#88 Justice Murphy: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

#25 Derek Parnell: DB; 5' 11"; Senior; 2V

Players Mentioned

#44 Bo Highburger
: 6' 0"; Senior; 3V
: LB

#3 Curtis Anderson
: 6' 2"; Junior; 1V
: DB

#14 Ty Currie
: 6' 2"; Senior; 2V
: QB

#81 Jarren Ford
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS
: WR

#96 Andrew Gross
: 6' 1"; Junior
: K/P

#7 Nico Jackson
: 6' 2"; Senior; TR
: RB

#83 Shaw Jerome
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: WR

#23 Omari Dixon-Land
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS
: RB

#88 Justice Murphy
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR

#25 Derek Parnell
: 5' 11"; Senior; 2V
: DB