MONMOUTH, Oregon --- The Western Oregon football aims to keep momentum and make a charge into the regional rankings as the Wolves travel to take on Midwestern State 5 p.m. (PT) Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas.

THE WOLVES HEADING INTO THE WEEK | 2022 STATISTICS
Western Oregon won its third game in a row - this time in dominant fashion after a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks, beating Eastern New Mexico 46-7 Saturday at McArthur Field. The Wolves scored the final 39 points of the game, holding the Greyhounds scoreless over the last 41 minutes and to just 250 yards of offense. Offensively, Omari Dixon-Land rushed for 105 yards and a pair of scores to lead the way while on defense, Joey Sinclair had a pair of interceptions, Machiah Lee returned an interception for a touchdown and Ryan Minnit (10) and Jaylin Parnell (eight) led the team in tackles.

The Wolves defense ranks eighth in the nation in defensive touchdowns (three), 22nd in rush defense (86.6 yards per game), 23rd in team passing efficiency defense (107.03) and 35th in total defense (299.9 yards per game). Over the last three weeks, WOU has allowed a total of 34 points (11.3 points per game).

The defense has been paced by seniors Parnell and Sinclair as Parnell ranks first in the Lone Star Conference in tackles (9.1 per game - 27th in the nation) and sacks (0.94 per game - 16th in the nation) while Sinclair is first in the conference and third in the nation with six interceptions. Overall, Parnell had 73 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble on the season while Sinclair has 48 tackles, six interceptions and a forced fumble. Ryan Minniti (46 tackles, 2 INTs, six pass breakups) and Machiah Lee (41 tackles, one INT, five pass breakups) also have more than 40 tackles this season for WOU.

Offensively, Dixon-Land ranks second in the Lone Star Conference with 732 rushing yards (27th in the nation) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (six) while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Andrew Valladares is at 199 yards and three touchdowns rushing this season. Through the air, Gannon Winker has thrown for 1,766 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Damon Hickok has a team-best 37 receptions for 584 yards and two scores while Thomas Wright has 360 receiving yards, 17 catches and two scores, Marquis Sampson has 20 catches for 266 yards and London Smalley has 19 catches for 264 yards and a score.

MIDWESTERN STATE HEADING INTO THE WEEK | 2022 STATISTICS
The Mustangs snapped a three-game losing streak last weekend, rallying to beat UT Permian Basin 24-23 on the road - getting a 42-yard field goal from Ritse Vaes with nine seconds left for the win.

Dillon Sterling-Cole got the start last week in the win over UTPB and on the season has thrown for 758 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions with a 57.7 completion percentage. Neilo Hollins has also seen significant time, throwing for 790 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions. MSU's top target has been Ja'Marzeyea Arvie with 30 catches for 323 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, Devin Cross leads the team with 728 yards to go along with three touchdowns - averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Trenton Kenneyd is also averaging 6.1 yards per carry while rushing for 319 yards and four scores and Peyton Shaw has rushed for 277 yards and two scores at 6.2 yards per carry.

Defensively, Justin Guillory leads the team at 49 tackles while Quinterrius Hargrave has 42. Tre Jordan has a team-best three interceptions to go along with 30 tackles. No player has more than 1.5 sacks on the season for the Mustangs.

HISTORY VS. MIDWESTERN STATE
These two teams have met once - a 37-22 Western Oregon win Oct. 26, 2019, in Monmouth. Current assistant coach Ty Currie threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 40 yards while Dixon-Land rushed for 114 yards while catching two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
  PARNELL (TACKLES), SINCLAIR (INTERCEPTIONS) CLIMBING ALL-TIME WOU RANKS
A pair of senior defensive players are climbing the all-time ranks in WOU history in linebacker Jaylin Parnell and safety Joey Sinclair. Parnell sits eighth on the WOU all-time tackles list with 265 while Sinclair and his 14 career interceptions (including six this year - tied for sixth on the WOU single-season list) is tied for fifth on the WOU all-time list.

Western Oregon All-Time Tackles List

346	Dave Morrill (1999-2002)
326	Bo Highburger (2015-18)
312	Chris Angel (1998-2001)
307	Caleb Singleton (2007-10)
290	Jeramy Williams (1992-95)
290	Tim Hundley (1970-73)
272	Steve Ott (1994-97)
265	Jaylin Parnell (2018-22)
262	Shawn Stanley (1991-94)
259	Tyler Johnson (2014-17)
258	Jay Banks (1999-2001)

Western Oregon All-Time Interceptions List

21	Jack Flitcraft (1969-72)
20	Bryce Peila (2009-12)
17	Jay Milton (1970-73)
16	Dave Sturgis (1965-68)
14	Joey Sinclair (2018-22)
14	Caleb Singleton (2007-10)
11	Albert Meza (1998-2001)
11	Corey Sutton (1997-99)
11	Tim Hundley (1970-73)
10	Five players tied

MINNITI, COSSETTE NAMED LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - OCT. 17 RELEASE
For the second week in a row, the Western Oregon football team took two of the three Lone Star Conference Player of the Week honors with Ryan Minniti earning Defensive Player of the Week and Danny Cossette named the Special Teams Player of the Week for the second week in a row.

Minniti - a senior safety - was all over the field in the Wolves' 27-13 win over West Texas A&M as he tied for the team lead with 10 tackles, led the team with three pass breakups and added an interception and a quarterback hurry while holding the Buffs to their lowest scoring output of the season. Cossette was efficient in WOU's win, going 2-for-2 on field goals (including a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter), 3-for-3 on extra points and kicking three of his six kickoffs for touchbacks.

PARNELL, COSSETTE NAMED LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - OCT. 10 RELEASE
Western Oregon's Jaylin Parnell and Danny Cossette were both honored for their performances against Central Washington on Oct. 8 as Parnell was named the Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Cossette was selected as the LSC Special Teams Player of the Week.

In a 16-14 win over Central Washington, Parnell led a Wolves defense that allowed just 280 yards thanks to a team-high 13 tackles and a forced fumble. Cossette made the play of the game - if not the season - with WOU up 16-14 over Central Washington with nine seconds left. After his extra point was blocked, CWU recovered the ball and attempted to return it for a two-point conversion. Cossette raced down field and made the tackle inside the five-yard line to save the game for the Wolves. He also connected on a season-best 48-yard field goal.

FB | IT'S WILD UP IN WASHINGTON!

WOU kicker Danny Cossette races down the field after his extra point was blocked and makes a game-saving tackle just before Central Washington tied the game (would've been two points to tie it for CWU).

Wolves win, 16-14 ... WHAT A GAME! pic.twitter.com/KlNfFSNHOw

— Western Oregon Wolves Athletics (@WOU_Wolves) October 9, 2022

DIXON-LAND BREAKS ALL-TIME RUSHING RECORD AT WESTERN
Senior running back Omari Dixon-Land has been the leading rusher for the Wolves in each of the past three seasons and he's now he's become the top rusher in program history. With 94 yards against Angelo State on Oct. 1, he passed Bill Volk's total of 3,172 on the all-time list and now has 3,479 career rushing yards. His 635 rushing attempts is now first on the all-time list (Volk had the most with 613) and his 26 rushing touchdowns has him in fifth place (the record is 37 rushing touchdowns held by Volk).

Western Oregon All-Time Rushing List (2,000 yards or more)

3,479	Omari Dixon-Land (2018-Current)
3,172	Bill Volk (1992-95)
2,846	Jason Taroli (1997-2001)
2,557	Doug Trice (1970-73)
2,530	Mark Ross (1975-78)
2,516	Greg Shewbert (1974-77)
2,357	Bob Pennel (1959-62)
2,259	Ben Kuenzi (2006-09)
2,119	Eliot Vinzant (2005-06)
2,103	Doug Lulay (1975-78)

COACH FERGUSON APPROACHING CENTURY MARK IN WINS
WOU head football coach Arne Ferguson has been a staple in the Western Oregon football program since his playing days from 1985-88 where he was an All-CFA choice three times. Now entering his 17th season as head coach (he was an assistant coach from 1989 until head coach save one season in 1992), he's approaching a career milestone only one other Western Oregon coach has reached - the 100 career wins at Western Oregon. Ferguson enters this week with 98 victories with only the legendary Bill McArthur - who coached 36 seasons at Western - ahead of him at 180 victories.

Western Oregon All-Time Coaching Wins List (30 wins or more)

180	Bill McArthur (1947-54, 1956-82, 1991)
98	Arne Ferguson (2005-current)
41	Larry Wolfe (1928-34)
34	Duke Iverson (1985-87, 2001-04)
31	Al Cox (1935-42)