at #18 Texas A&M-Commerce
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GAME NOTES

CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M will finish the 2018 regular season with two of its final three games on the road beginning with Texas A&M-Commerce on October 27 at Memorial Stadium in Commerce, Texas. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.

FIVE KEY STORYLINES
West Texas A&M defeated Angelo State 26-18 at LeGrand Stadium on October 13 extending their road win streak to three games. The win streak is the longest for the Buffs since winning four straight in 2013, with two of those wins coming in the NCAA Championships against the University of Indianapolis and Ohio Dominican.

Through eight games, WT's six blocked punts are the most in the NCAA (FBS, FCS, Division II, Division II) this season. Five of the six blocks have come in the past four games with two of those being returned for a touchdown. Division III"s Frostburg State and FCS's North Carolina A&T have five blocks while Toledo leads all FBS teams with four.

The Buffs are 1-2 overall and 1-1 on the road in 2018 against teams ranked/receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Poll. After dropping the first two games against Azusa Pacific and Tarleton, WT defeated #14 Central Washington, 28-26, on Sept. 29 in the first night game played at Tomlinson Stadium.

Freshman Tobias Harris enters the final three games of the regular season with 22 punt returns, six short of breaking John Holt's school record 27 set back in 1968. He only needs 78 more punt return yards to break Curley Watters school record of 368 yards from 1966. On the defensive side of the ball, the Pflugerville, Texas product needs two interceptions to tie the freshman record and 57 return yards to break the school record.

In their five wins this season, WT has rushed for a total of 815 yards (163.0/game) compared to 168 yards (56.0/game) in the three losses. The Buffs will look to get back on track against a Texas A&M-Commerce team that is allowing 161.8 yards rushing per game.

SCOUTING #18 TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
The 18th-ranked Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce enter Saturday's contest 6-2 on the season and 4-1 in Lone Star Conference play. They defeated Western New Mexico 55-7 on Saturday in Silver City, N.M. a week after suffering their second loss of the season to nationally-ranked Tarleton.

The Lions are averaging 32.8 points and 369.3 total yards per contest behind starting quarterback Kane Wilson. The junior was named the starter before the Lock Haven game and has not looked back helping TAMUC outscore opponents 164-79 in four games. The New Orleans, La. native is 75 of 127 through the air for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions. His 144.91 efficiency rating is the third-highest in the LSC.

More than half of Marquis Wimberly's 44 receptions have come with Wilson behind center as the senior has a team-high 603 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Carandal Hale is the Lions leading rusher with 407 yards on 88 attempts and three touchdowns. Ovie Orevbu and Nate Davis have also seen their workload go up over the past few weeks.

The Lions own the 43rd ranked defense in Division II allowing 327.4 yards per game. They have been their best on third downs holding teams to 26.1%, which is the sixth-best in the nation.

Brucks Saathoff is the Lions leading tackler with 73, along with 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Week after helping TAMUC defeat MSU Texas earlier in the season. Micahel Onuoha has a team-high 13 tackles for loss which is the second-most in the LSC and 23rd most in the nation.

A LOOK AT THE SERIES
Saturday's game will be the 33rd all-time meeting with Texas A&M-Commerce holding a 18-14 advantage. The Buffs have dropped the last four games after winning six straight in the series dating back to 2005. The last game decided by seven points or less came back on Oct. 29, 2005.

LAST TIME VS. TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
West Texas A&M was unable to overcome a 21-point first quarter from the Lions as they lost 35-16 to Texas A&M-Commerce at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium on Oct. 28, 2017.

Justin Houghtaling completed 10 of 20 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. Junior Pome'e was one of three Buffs with two receptions with the senior scoring on a 7-yard pass in the first quarter.

Alex Schrag was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with his long of 45 yards coming in the end of the first quarter.

A LOOK BACK AT EASTERN NEW MEXICO
The Buffs were only managed 134 of total offense in their 28-0 defeat to Eastern New Mexico on Saturday night at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. It was the first time since 1992 that WT was shutout in the Wagon Wheel Game.

Frank Honang had a game-high 13 tackles and a blocked punt to the lead the Buff defense. Joseph Barron and Kevon Thomas also registered double-digit tackles with 11 and 10 respectively.

Donevin Manuel blocked his team-high second punt of the season in the second quarter.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Tobias Harris enters the ninth week of the season ranked second in combined kick return yards. His 719 yards (426 kickoff, 293 punt) are second only to Fairmont State's Lyrics Klugh. He is one of three freshman ranked in the Top 10.

Harris has also been impressive as a cornerback with a team-high six interceptions. His 0.8 interceptions per game are the most in the Lone Star Conference and fourth-highest in the nation.

Christopher Thomas 9.6 tackles per game are the fourth-most in the LSC and 36th most in the nation. The freshman needs 23 tackles over the next three games to become the first Buff to reach the century mark in tackles since Carter James had 125 in 2014.

John Cummings' 43.3 yards per punt continues to lead the conference and rank 10th in all of Division II. The senior has been a huge weapon for the Buffs putting 29 of his 53 punts inside the 20-yard line. As a team, WT ranks 4th nationally in net punting at 39.3 yards per punt.

WT's three defensive touchdowns are the second-most in the Lone Star Conference and seventh-most in Division II. Tobias Harris has two recorded two of those (Western New Mexico, Oklahoma Panhandle State) with Keith Blank recording the other on a pick-six against the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State. ­

BUFFS TO WEAR THROWBACK JERSEYS
West Texas A&M will wear throwback West Texas State jerseys for their final home game on Saturday, November 3, when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville. The jerseys designed by Under Armour, are modeled after hose worn by WT when the stadium first opened in 1959.

AFCA DIVISION II POLL
For the fourth consecutive week, the Buffs received votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Top 25. Tarleton moved up one spot to 8th while MSU Texas and Texas A&M-Commerce stayed at 10th and 18th respectively.

WT HEAD COACH HUNTER HUGHES
WT head coach Hunter Hughes, the 2011 FootballScoop.com Division II Coordinator of the Year, is now in his second season at the helm of the Buffs After going 3-8 in his first season in 2017, Hughes has the Buffs off to a 5-3 start this season including a win over a nationally-ranked Central Washington on the road.

LIVE COVERAGE
The Texas A&M-Commerce Athletic Media Relations Department will provide live stats for the game. Buff Nation can listen to all of the Buffalo Football games on Lonestar 98.7 with Lucas Kinsey and Brice Sheets on the call with Kent Johnson joining them as the sideline reporter.  For more information, visit the Football Schedule Page at GoBuffsGo.com.