STEPHENVILLE - The Tarleton football team will travel to Eastern New Mexico Saturday to take on the Greyhounds at 3 p.m. Central time.
Tarleton
LAST WEEK
Tarleton faced Division I opponent Texas State last Saturday down in San Marcos and the Texans fell just short of the Bobcats, 38-28. It marked the third straight game that Tarleton (0-3) was either ahead or tied in the fourth quarter.
THE AIR RAID ATTACK
Against the Bobcats, Tarleton passed for 256 yards and a score, breaking the 250 yard mark for the third game this season. On the year, the Texans are averaging 316.7 yards per game and have totaled four passing touchdowns. To counter that, Tarleton is also averaging 62.3 yards per game on the ground.
Offensive coordinator Lee Hays has stressed distribution to a number of different receivers. Nick Stephens has hooked up with 14 different receivers this year for a total of 79 completions. The average length of each reception is 11.9 yards per catch, compared to opponents' 12.5 yards per catch.
STAY OUT OF THE MIDDLE
The defense this season has been led by the linebacker group and the safeties. In fact, the top six tacklers for the Texans are either linebacker or safety. Marquis Wadley has been the most recognizable force, racking up 31 tackles and three tackles for loss. Desmond Jackson has been right behind him with 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
ON THE RECEIVING END
Tarleton has had at least one 100-yard receiver in each game so far in 2011. Thanks to the air raid attack, quarterback Nick Stephens has thrown close to 45 times every game on average. With that amount of passing attempts, there is bound to be a receiver with a huge game for Tarleton.
In week one, it was freshman Clifton Rhodes, who caught five passes for 107 yards. He topped that in week two when he went for 147 yards and a score on nine receptions. In Tarleton's most recent game against Texas State, Roddy Green went for 123 yards and a touchdown on seven catches.
LUCK OF LOWERY
Sophomore running back Brandon Lowery has led the Texans this season in all-purpose yards and has been a threat in three different aspects of the game. As a runner, Lowery has rushed for 80 yards and four touchdowns. As a receiver, he has totaled 62 yards and another touchdown. As a kick returner, he has nine returns for 270 yards, good for an average of 30.0 yards per return. Fans can expect to see Lowery as a vital part of Tarleton's attack in all three roles.
SPECIAL SPECIAL TEAMS
Lowery isn't the only special teams player grabbing the attention of the coaching staff. Punter/kicker Jerry Owens has taken control of both duties at this point in the season. Last weekend against the Bobcats, the sophomore kicker converted on all four of his field goal attemps, which kept the Texans in the game. On top of that, he averaged 44.3 yards per punt, which pinned Texas State deep in its own territory on a number of occasions. Owens is also 3-of-3 in his extra point attempts as well.
EVEN STEPHENS
Senior quarterback Nick Stephens is enjoying the implementation of the “air raid” offense and is currently No. 11 in the nation in passing yards per game. The Flower Mound native is 79-of-136 on the year with four touchdowns and just two picks. He has totaled 905 yards and averages 301.7 yards passing each game. Stephens has hit 14 different receivers this year and has completed 58.1 percent of his passes. With one of the strongest arms in the Lone Star Conference, it is no secret that defensive coordinators around the league will have trouble trying to stop Stephens and his arsenal of receivers.
EASTERN NEW MEXICO
LAST WEEK
Eastern New Mexico defeated Oklahoma Panhandle last Saturday in Goodwell, Okla. by a score of 28-19. The Greyhounds amassed 224 yards through the air and 96 yards on the ground en route to their first victory of the season.
PATIENT OFFENSE
The Greyhound offense has gotten more efficient with each game of the 2011 season. They have transitioned from pass heavy to a more balanced attack as passing yards have decreased, but rushing yards have increased. On the year, ENMU has averaged 391 yards of total offense, with 317 coming through the air and 74 yards coming on the ground. They have not struggled to put points on the board though, averaging 30.7 points per game.
DEFENSE IS THE BEST OFFENSE
ENMU has gone 1-2 so far this year, but has faced a couple of very good offensive teams in New Mexico Highlands (43 points) and Incarnate Word (41). The Greyhound defense settled in against Oklahoma Panhandle though, holding them to just 19 points and 300 total yards.
Pressure on the quarterback has been an area ENMU has excelled in thus far in 2011. The Greyhounds have recorded seven sacks, forced three interceptions and totaled 18 quarterback hurries.
BRINGING THE WOOD
ENMU has been led both defensively and offensively by the Wood duo. Wesley and Lane Wood have been dominant forces for the Greyhounds. On the offense, Wesley is the starting quarterback and has totaled 906 yards on 92-of-155 passing and seven touchdowns. On the defense, Lane Wood leads the team with 27 tackles, seven on which were for loss, and half a sack. Tarleton fans can expect to hear the name “Wood” called numerous times on Saturday for ENMU.
Fans can follow along with the game on live stats or by listening to the KSTV 93.1 FM feed.
