MONMOUTH, Oregon --- The Western Oregon football team kicks off play in its new conference - the Lone Star Conference - Saturday as the Wolves travel to take on Western New Mexico.

Of note, as part of joining the Lone Star Conference for football this season - all Western Oregon games will be on the LSC Digital Network and will cost money to view. Click the link above to get there or follow the link that tells you how to watch games on the channel.

THE WOLVES HEADING INTO THE WEEK | 2022 STATISTICS
Western Oregon is coming off a convincing 42-10 victory over Lincoln (CA) last week - scoring 14 points in each of the first three quarters before cruising to victory. The Wolves gained 452 yards while allowing just 135 in the contest.

Gannon Winker threw for 249 yards and a touchdown for the Wolves as he's thrown for 378 yards and a touchdown in two games this season. Thomas Wright had three catches for a team-best 65 yards and a score - giving him seven catches for 145 yards and a score on the year. London Smalley caught a team-best five passes for 52 yards - giving him a team-best eight catches for 70 yards on the season.

On the ground, Omari Dixon-Land rushed for 94 yards and three touchdowns for the Wolves while Armaad Hubbard had 56 yards on just four carries (including a 43-yard run) and Andrew Valladares had 44 yards on 11 carries.

Jaylin Parnell paced the WOU defense with six tackles and two sacks, Isaiah Abraham had five tackles and Joey Sinclair finished with four tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown.

On the season, Parnell leads the team with 16 tackles and three sacks while Abraham has 15 tackles.

WESTERN NEW MEXICO HEADING INTO THE WEEK | 2022 STATISTICS
The Mustangs are coming off of a LSC-opening loss at Central Washington 24-13 on Saturday. WNMU led 13-10 at the break, but were held scoreless in the second half to move to 0-1 in LSC play and 1-1 overall (the Mustangs defeated Adams State 34-20 to open the season at home).

The Mustangs were outgained 371-275 in the loss. Quarterback Devin Larsen finished 14-for-35 for 141 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. David Telles led the team with five catches for 41 yards while Allen Ortiz had a team-best 60 yards on three catches. Maurice Smith led the team on the ground with 53 yards on 14 carries.

Kaleb Gutierrez had 10 tackles while Clavon Caine added nine tackles and a fumble recovery.

HISTORY VS. WNMU
The Wolves have played the Mustangs three times in the program's history - going 3-0. The last game was Sept. 16, 2017 - a 58-21 victory for WOU in Silver City. The teams also played in 2003 in Silver City (WOU won 37-17) and in Monmouth in 2002 (WOU won 36-17).
  DIXON-LAND APPROACHING 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 approaching becoming one of the top rushers in program history. His 2,845 career rushing yards is third on the all-time Western Oregon list behind Jason Taroli (2,846 yards - 1997-2001) and Bill Volk (3,172 yards - 1992-95). His 516 rushing attempts puts him fourth on the all-time list and his 23 rushing touchdowns has him alone at No. 8.

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

3,172	Bill Volk (1992-95)
2,846	Jason Taroli (1997-2001)
2,845	Omari Dixon-Land (2018-Current)
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 95 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)
95	Arne Ferguson (2005-current)
41	Larry Wolfe (1928-34)
34	Duke Iverson (1985-87, 2001-04)
31	Mark Ross (1975-78)