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CANYON, Texas – The Buffs of West Texas A&M host Central Washington on Saturday, Oct. 5, in the Homecoming Game. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Buffalo Stadium. 
 
LIVE COVERAGE
The WT Athletic Communications Department will provide live stats and pay-per-view webstream for the game. A new partnership with BlueFrame Technology and the Lone Star Conference has been established with the LSC Digital Network debuting this fall. Fans can purchase a $5 single-day pass or a $50 season pass that includes every home WT event during the 2019-20 season. A free audio stream will be provided by WT with Lucas Kinsey and Brice Sheets on the call. For more information, visit the Football Schedule Page at GoBuffsGo.com. 
 
FIVE KEY STORYLINES
The Buffs have rushed for 15 touchdowns through four games this season, their third-highest total over the past five seasons. Seven different players have reached the endzone through the ground including a team-high four from Jordan Johnson. The senior is averaging one touchdown for every five carries. 
 
Hayden Dennis recorded a career-high 15 tackles in Saturday's win over Western New Mexico. The junior linebacker has now recorded 10 or more tackles in three of four starts this season as he ranks eighth in the nation and third in the LSC in total tackles (11.8). His 47 tackles are two shy of his career-high set during his redshirt freshman in 2016. Frank Honang isn't too far behind at 16th nationally and fifth in the LSC. 
 
Tobias Harris continues to lead the nation in punt returns (33.8/return) after adding 79 yards to his season total on Saturday. Through four games, he has eight returns for 270 yards, 50 yards shy of what he did last year en route to being named the Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year. He is also the only defensive player ranked in the Top 20 nationally in all-purpose yards (150.8). 
 
With his 106 yards rushing against Western New Mexico, Duke Carter IV became the third Buff since 2011 to record two or more 100-yard games in consecutive seasons. After rushing for over 100 yards three times in 2018 as a junior, Carter IV has reached the 100-yard plateau in two of his four appearances this season. 
 
A win on Saturday would give the Buffs their best start since 2013 when they won their first five games. WT is also looking to win their first three home games of the season for the first time since 2013. 
 
SCOUTING CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Enter week five, Central Washington is 1-3 under first-year head coach Chris Fisk. Fisk replaced Ian Shoemaker, who is now the offensive coordinator at Eastern Washington. 
 
The Wildcats offense ranks 36th in the nation in total offense with 426.0 yards per contest. Much like WT, CWU likes to spread the ball around the field as Canon Racanelli has completed a pass to 10 different players. The redshirt freshman has completed 54-of-120 passes for 793 yards for four touchdowns and three interceptions. He has thrown for over 200 yards twice this season including a 237-yard performance in Western New Mexico.  
 
Michael Roots leads a rushing attack that averages 170.8 per contest. He has rushed for 511 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 attempts. The junior tailback from Sacramento, Calif. has gone over 100 yards three times this season including a 102-yard, three touchdown performance against No. 2 Ferris State. 
 
Tony Archie is one of four wide receivers with over 100 yards as the junior has a team-high 18 receptions for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Drake Owen is the deep threat for the Wildcats averaging over 35 yards per catch. 
 
The Wildcat defense is led by the linebacker duo of Donte Hamilton and Hamilton Hunt. In their season opener against Idaho, Hamilton recorded 17 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. 
 
A LOOK AT THE SERIES
WT leads the all-time series 3-1 including a perfect 2-0 in Canyon. The Buffs have won two straight in the series dating back to 2011. 
 
Last season, the Buffs defeated the Wildcats 28-26 in the first night game at Tomlinson Stadium in Ellensburg, Wash. Carter IV ran for a career-high 259 yards and a touchdown as WT knocked off a ranked opponent for a second consecutive season.
 
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
Juwan McCall had a breakout game on Saturday against the Mustangs hauling in a career-high four receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. The senior entered the game with a total of three receptions in 14 games before becoming the first Buff since Sept. 23, 2017 to record over 100 yards receiving in a game. 
 
Saturday also marked the first time since Sept. 19, 2015 that WT had a 100-yard rusher and receiver in the same game. 
A DEEPER LOOK
McCall also became the fifth Buff to go over 100 yards receiving with four or less receptions since 2011. He was the first to do it since Chris Gilchrist had 108 yards on four receptions against Texas A&M-Kingsville in 2016. 
 
IT'S UP AND  GOOD
The Buffs kicked and made their first field goal of the season against WNMU. Mauricio Gonzalez's kick from 27 yards with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter marked the first-time all-season WT kicked and made a field goal in the red zone. The junior would also attempt a 49-yard attempt in the third quarter but it was wide right. 
 
PITCHING A SHUTOUT
WT lead 24-0 at halftime on Saturday marking the second time under third-year head coach Hunter Hughes that they had held a team scoreless in the first half. During the opening 30 minutes, the Mustangs punted six times and only crossed the 50-yard line once. 
 
BUFFS ON HOMECOMING
WT is 44-28-2 (.608) all-time on homecoming including two straight wins. During the previous 74 homecoming games, they have outscored opponents 1,967-1,527. 
 
The Buffs won a program-best nine straight games from 2005-13 after losing four straight from 2001-04. Overall, they have played New Mexico State seven times, two more than any other school. 
 
THIS DAY IN BUFF HISTORY
The Buffs are 5-4 all-time on games played on Oct. 5 dating back to 1946. WT defeated Central State 72-0 in 2013 after dropping consecutive games to Angelo State in 2002 and 1996. 
 
AFCA DIVISION II POLL
The Top 10 remained the same as Tarleton remained at four while picking up one of the 32 first-place votes. Texas A&M-Commerce dropped 10 spots to No. 21 while Angelo State made its appearance in the Top 25 at No. 23 after defeating previously ranked Midwestern State. The Mustangs and Buffs are both receiving votes. 
 
AROUND THE LSC
Angelo State and No. 4 Tarleton opened 2-0 in Lone Star Conference play with convincing victories on Saturday. The Rams defeated previously ranked Midwestern State while the Texans continued to roll against UT Permian Basin where Zimari Manning broke the school record for receiving yards in a single game. 
 
WT and Eastern New Mexico picked up their first conference wins of the season. The Buffs had their best offensive performance of the season en route to a 48-21 victory while the Greyhounds ran all over Texas A&M-Kingsville in Portales, N.M. Texas A&M-Commerce stepped out of league play to face CSU-Pueblo where they fell 24-17. 
 
WT HEAD COACH HUNTER HUGHES
WT head coach Hunter Hughes is in his third season at the helm of West Texas A&M football. The 2011 FootballScoop.com Division II Coordinator of the Year enters the 2019 season 12--14 overall including a 6-5 record in 2018 where they defeated a nationally-ranked Central Washington team on a road. 
 
UP NEXT
WT return to LSC play on Saturday, Oct. 12, with a trip to Odessa to face UT Permian Basin. The Buffs have won all three previous meetings against the Falcons.