Football remains at home to host MSU Texas this Saturday

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The fourth Lone Star Conference opponent of the season arrives for the Western Oregon University football team this Saturday when they face MSU Texas with kickoff set for 1:05 p.m. at McArthur Field.

WOU (4-3) opened the season facing a pair of Lone Star teams at Angelo State and then at home against Texas A&M-Commerce. The Wolves then defeated Texas A&M-Kingsville back on Oct. 12 and are 1-2 against LSC teams this season. WOU has played eight games against Lone Star teams since 2017 going 3-5 in those games. Prior to 2017, the Wolves played just two LSC teams from 2007 until 2017 falling at Abilene Christian in 2011 and defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville on the road in 2007.

Last time out, WOU nearly claimed the season sweep of Central Washington and was close to claiming a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title. After the Wildcats fought back to tie the game at 35, the teams went into overtime and after Central Washington struck first, WOU answered and went for two and the win, but the pass was knocked away allowing the Wildcats to hang on for the 42-41 victory.

Entering this week, WOU remains on top of the GNAC standings at 3-1, with Central Washington at 2-1. The Wildcats will host GNAC opponent Simon Fraser, who picked up their first GNAC win since 2014 after defeating Azusa Pacific last week. The Cougars will play out of conference hosting nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines. Simon Fraser is 1-2 in conference and Azusa Pacific is 1-3 in conference.

WOU averages nearly 35 points (34.71) points per game, while allowing just over 30 points. The Wolves have 146 first downs, 1,709 rushing yards including 21 touchdowns, passing for 1,423 yards and 14 touchdowns. WOU has racked up 3,132 yards on 474 plays this season and 35 total touchdowns. Opponents have 145 first downs, 909 yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns, passed for 1,665 yards and 12 touchdowns, compiling 2,574 yards of total offense and 29 total touchdowns.

Ty Currie has completed 86-164 for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns. On the ground, Omari Land has rushed 107 times for 640 yards and seven touchdowns. Currie has picked up 501 yards on the ground on 87 carries and eight touchdowns. Nico Jackson has added 463 yards on 88 carries and three scores. Thomas Wright leads the receivers with 14 catches for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Reid has added 13 catches for 251 yards and a touchdown. Jarren Ford also has 13 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Marquis Sampson leads all receivers with three touchdowns on 11 receptions for 164 yards.

Nate Proctor, Jr., leads the defense with 47 total tackles, 26 solo, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Jaylin Parnell has 44 tackles, 26 solo, along with 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception. Tyler Wharf is also over 40 tackles checking in at 43 with 26 solo, along with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Tyrell Cummings leads the team in sacks with three, while Curtis Anderson has three interceptions and Joey Sinclair has added three interceptions.

On special teams, Andrew Gross has punted 25 times, averaging 38.96 yards with a long of 56 yards, four landing inside the 20 and four traveling over 50 yards. Gross has gone 1-3 on field goals and has made 26 extra points. He's averaged 59.9 yards on 42 kickoffs with five going for touchbacks. In the return game, Reid has nine punt returns for 92 yards with a long of 26 yards. Anderson has 19 kickoff returns for 390 yards and a long of 63 yards, while both Sampson and Sinclair have four returns each with Sampson going for 137 yards with a long of 67 yards and Sinclair with 109 yards and a long of 44 yards.

WOU ranks highly nationally and lead the GNAC in several categories including first in the GNAC in third down conversion percentage (.382), first in the GNAC in third down conversion percentage on defense (.380), first in the GNAC and 29^th nationally in fourth down conversion percentage (.636), tied for first in the GNAC and tied for 56^th nationally in blocked kicks (2), 47^th nationally in first downs on offense (146), 42^nd nationally in kickoff return yards per game (22.75), first in the GNAC and 41^st nationally in net punting (36.40), first in the GNAC and 32^nd nationally in passes intercepted (9), first in the GNAC in passing yards allowed (237.9), first in the GNAC and 18^th nationally in passing yards per completion (15.99), first in the GNAC and fourth nationally in punt return defense (0.57), first in the GNAC in rushing defense (129.9), first in the GNAC and 16^th nationally in rushing offense (244.1), first in the GNAC in scoring defense (30.1), 35^th nationally in scoring offense (34.7), first in the GNAC in tackles for loss allowed (5.71), first in the GNAC and 40^th nationally in team passing efficiency (143.63), first in the GNAC in team passing efficiency on defense (117.98), first in the GNAC and 46^th nationally in time of possession (31:21), first in the GNAC in total defense (367.7), 24^th nationally in total offense (447.4) and first in the GNAC in winning percentage (.571).

Individually, Currie leads the GNAC and is 41^st nationally in passing efficiency (141.3), 37^th nationally in passing touchdowns (13), first in the GNAC and sixth nationally in passing yards per completion (15.91), first in the GNAC and 12^th nationally in points responsible for (130), first in the GNAC and 14^th nationally in points responsible for per game (18.6), first in the GNAC and 17^th nationally in rushing touchdowns (8), first in the GNAC and 25^th nationally in total offense per game (267), 43^rd nationally in total touchdowns (8) and first in the GNAC and 25^th nationally in yards per pass attempt (8.34). Land is 30^th nationally in rush yards per carry (5.98), 36^th nationally in rushing touchdowns (7), 29^th nationally in rushing yards (640), 30^th nationally in rushing yards per game (91.4) and 43^rd nationally in total touchdowns (8). Anderson is first in the GNAC and 43^rd nationally in combined kick return yards (390), first in the GNAC and sixth nationally in interceptions per game (0.6). Derek Parnell is first in the GNAC and third nationally in passes defended (2.0). Reid is first in the GNAC and 22^nd nationally in punt return yards average (10.2).

MSU Texas enters the week 4-3 overall and 2-3 in LSC play after defeating Texas A&M-Kingsville this past week in Wichita Falls (70-35). Triston Williams had a big game at quarterback completing 13-21 for 354 yards and six touchdowns without an interception to take home LSC Player of the Week honors. Four different running backs tallied a touchdown in the game with Justin Jones leading the way with 88 yards on eight carries. Four receivers caught a touchdown pass with Kylan Harrison leading the way with three catches and 119 yards along with a pair of touchdowns. Deven Smith led the defense with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, Tristan Shearman has two sacks and both Matthew Long and Christian Moore each had an interception.

In addition to both teams also playing Texas A&M-Kingsville, both WOU and MSU Texas have faced Angelo State and Texas A&M-Commerce. Angelo State defeated MSU Texas 28-6 and the Lions took down the Mustangs 54-28. MSU Texas fell just short to Eastern New Mexico, 27-24, another LSC opponent WOU will face in the regular season finale in Monmouth.

On the season, the Mustangs have averaged right at 29 points, while allowing over 26 points per contest. They have 128 first downs, rushed for 943 yards and 12 touchdowns, passed for 1,722 yards and 16 touchdowns, running 464 total plays for 2,665 yards and 28 touchdowns. Opponents have picked up 155 first downs, rushed for 1,438 yards and 10 touchdowns, while throwing for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns. Overall MSU Texas has run 539 plays for 2,736 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Williams has completed 54-105 for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns. Zach Purcell has played in four games completing 71-121 for 765 yards and five touchdowns. Quinton Childs has rushed for 593 yards on 113 attempts and five touchdowns. Lazarus Fisher has 46 carries for 257 yards and four touchdowns. Xavier Land leads the receivers with 35 catches for 496 yards and four touchdowns. Tyrique Edwards has 22 catches for 217 yards and three scores. Harrison has added 12 catches for 287 yards and five touchdowns.

On defense, Marcus Wilkerson leads the way with 42 tackles, 22 solo, along with 2.5 tackles for loss and five passes broken up. Shearman has 37 tackles, 18 solo, along with five tackles for loss and three sacks. Melik Owens leads the team in sacks with six, while Matthew Long has a team-best two interceptions.

This will be the first meeting between the teams.

Video and stats will be available for the game with live video found here and live stats found here. KWVT will also televise the game locally.

Print Friendly Version