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CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M Buffaloes open Lone Star Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium against Tarleton.

FIVE KEY STORYLINES
Tobias Harris' 172 all-purpose yards are the second most on the team behind Duke Carter IV. The freshman has been a force on the defensive side of the ball with a team-high three interceptions while playing a key role on special teams. He recorded a career-high 72-yard punt return in the second quarter of Saturday's 42-7 win over Oklahoma Panhandle before scoring on an interception in the third quarter.

Duke Carter IV is the leading rusher for the Buffaloes with 130 yards on 26 attempts for an average of 5.0 yards per carry. He also scored his first touchdown for the Maroon and White against OPSU on Saturday. He also showed off his pass catching skills with a 48-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

All-conference punter John Cummings hasn't missed a beat from last year as the fifth-year senior is averaging 40.0 yards per punt. He has been one of WT's best weapons with four of his 12 punts being fielded inside the 20. He also showed off his power on Saturday with a 57-yard punt to switch the field for the Buffs defense.

The Buff secondary has been one of the best in the nation so far this season forcing seven interceptions with two of those being taken back for touchdowns. Harris has a team-high three but senior Keith Blank got two of his own in Week 2. Another impressive stat that can be contributed to the whole defensive unit is the fact they haven't allowed a pass over 27 yards this season.

Harris was not the only freshman to impress against the Aggies in the home opener as Christopher Thomas recorded a team-high 14 tackles. The Humble, Texas product was all over the field in his second career start at WT.

SCOUTING TARLETON
The Texans enter Saturday's contest looking to play for the first time in two weeks after their game against Division FCS Stephen F. Austin last Saturday was canceled due to weather. They opened the season with a commanding 44-13 win over Delta State

In their season opening win, they ran for 285 yards including 145 of those from Daniel McCants. The junior tailback needed only 14 carries to reach that mark while scoring a touchdown. Ben Holmes threw for 196 yards completing 8 of 16 with two touchdowns and one interception. Zimari Manning was the top target for Holmes with three receptions for 144 yards and two TD's.

Jai Edwards is the leader on secondary after recording eight tackles and an interception against DSU. Gary Moore will be a tough assignment for the offensive line after a two-sack performance two weeks ago.

Todd Whitten return to Tarleton in 2015 after spending five seasons at Sam Houston State. He is the winning coach in the Texans' NCAA era. He currently boasts an NCAA coachign record of 82-63, including 57-35 at Tarleton.

A LOOK AT THE SERIES
The Buffs lead the all-time series 15-12 and are 8-6 in games played in Canyon. WT has won 10 of the last 13 in the series including a 37-25 win on Sept. 24, 2016.

WT dropped the first-ever meeting between the two schools, 16-15, on Sept. 15, 1990 in Canyon.

LAST YEAR VS. THE TEXANS
Justin Houghtaling and Markel Steward both had career performances in the 30-20 loss to the Texans last season. Hougthaling threw for 272 yards completing 17 of 38 passes while Steward had 132 yards receiving on six receptions.

All three Buff touchdowns came on the ground as Hougthaling, Jordan Johnson and Brandon Blair scored.

Chazz Slatinsky had a team-high 11 tackles, seven of those of the solo variety, while Gerred Johnson and Daelin Young recorded a sack.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Tobias Harris ranks first in the nation in interceptions per game with 1.5. The freshman is the one of six players in NCAA Division II to have recorded three interceptions this season. The Pflugerville, Texas product also ranks 18th nationally in punt return average at 16.3 yards per return.

Miles Kochevar's defense ranks first nationally in interceptions and second nationally turnovers gained with eight. The Buffs have forced seven interceptions, including four last week, and one fumble recovery.

Prior to last Saturday's game against Oklahoma Panhandle State, the last time the Buffs had three different players rush for a touchdown was against Tarleton State on Sept. 23, 2017.

A LOOK BACK AT OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE
A 61-yard touchdown pass from Mitch Hood to Payton Gonzales opened the scoring for the Buffs in their 42-7 win over the Aggies of Oklahoma Panhandle State. It would 14-0 at the end of the first quarter after a Hood 1-yard touchdown run that was set up by a 72-yard punt return from Tobias Harris.

They would further extend the lead in the second on a Logan Vallo touchdown run from 19-yards out and pick six from Keith Blank. Duke Carter IV got in on the action in the third quarter scoring on a 16-yard run before Harris recorded the Buffs second defensive touchdown of the game on an interception. The Aggies would get on the board in the fourth but would be limited to one score as James Clark picked off John Polston at the 1-yard line.

BUFFS PLAN TO HONOR FORMER PLAYERS
Entering its final season in Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, WT Football announced a season-long recognition for former Buffs who played in the original Buffalo Bowl that opened in 1959. Saturday's game will honor the era of head coaches Ronnie Jones, Stan McGarvey, Morris Stone and Ron Steele..

Prior to each home game, former players and coaches will gather from 12:30 - 2 p.m. in the football locker room in the Bain Athletic Center for a private meet and greet with coach Hunter Hughes and his staff, to view new facilities and the construction site of the new Buffalo Stadium. At 3 p.m., the Buffalo Club tailgate party will begin at Kimbrough Stadium, and former players and coaches will be on hand to reminisce with the Buff fans and alumni. 

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. He went 3-8 in his first season in 2017 including win over nationally ranked Colorado-State Pueblo.

LIVE COVERAGE
The West Texas A&M Athletic Media Relations Department will provide live stats and webstreaming for all games during the 2018 season. The webstream is free of charge and can be viewed on mobile devices. For more information, visit the Football Schedule Page at GoBuffsGo.com.

AFCA DIVISION II POLL
The Buffaloes have five opponents that are ranked or receiving votes in the latest AFCA Division II Poll. Texas A&M-Commerce holds steady at No. 1 with MSU Texas at 7th after defeating No. 2 West Florida on Saturday. Central Washington moved up one spot to 15th while Tarleton and Texas A&M-Kingsville are receiving votes for the second consecutive week.

2018 LSC PRESEASON POLL
Texas A&M-Commerce were picked to finish first receiving 13 of the possible 24 votes for a total of 201 points. MSU Texas was picked second with 10 first place votes for a total of 200 points. Eastern New Mexico ranked third with 142 points followed by Angelo State (136), Tarleton State (130), Texas A&M-Kingsville (104), West Texas A&M (73), UT Permian Basin (one first place, 57) and Western New Mexico (37).

MSU Texas' Layton Rabb was tabbed as the LSC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Angelo State's Markus Jones was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year.