Date: September 11, 2021
Time: 6 PM
Where: Ratliff Stadium, Odessa, Texas
Weather: 93 degrees and sunny at kick-off, wind 13 mph
Watch: Lone Star Conference Digital Network
Listen: Rock 95.1 FM
Follow Along: Live Stats
Tickets: UTPBFALCONS.com
 
The Falcons enter Saturday riding a seven-game winning streak and winners of eight of their last nine overall.  The Falcons are 7-2 at home since 2019 and have won five in a row in the Permian Basin. 
 
Scouting the Opponent
West Texas A&M comes off a comfortable 73-0 victory in their season opener over NAIA Texas College.  The Buffs finished with 534 total yards and scored the most points under Head Coach Hunter Hughes.  They are led under center by junior Nick Gerber.  Gerber was an efficient 10-of-11 for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the opener.  On the ground, Khalil Harris led the way with 111 yards and two scores.  The Buffs ran for 391 total yards and eight touchdowns.
 
Keeping the Train Rolling
Falcon Football is red-hot winners of eight of their last nine games, including seven in a row.  In the spring of 2021, the Falcons went 5-0 and re-wrote the record books along the way.  The Falcons won five games in a season for the first time in program history and set a record for the longest winning streak to start a season.  Of the 15 wins in program history, seven of them have come in the last eight games.  In those wins the Falcons:
· Tied for the largest comeback in program history (14)
· Scored the most points in program history (70)
· Set the largest margin of victory (56)
· First overtime game and win
 
Steady as it Comes
Clayton Roberts has been a steady force for the Falcons since taking over the starting role full-time in the spring.  Over his last four starts under center, Roberts has thrown for 758 yards and 12 touchdowns against only one interception in that time.  He can also beat opponents on the ground, rushing for 195 yards and a touchdown during the same time frame.  
 
Ground and Pound
The Falcons look to establish more of a running attack in 2021 than they did in the spring.  The Falcons only averaged 74.8 yards per game in the spring, but smashed that on opening day running for 170 total yards.  University of Arizona transfer Nathan Tilford shouldered the majority of the load week 1 with 97 yards on 20 carries, including a long run 20 yards.  Behind him on the depth chart is Adrian Walker who got 10 carries for 32 yards.  Clayton Roberts can also beat opponents with his legs, picking up 41 yards including a 45-yard touchdown run which ended up being the game-winner.
 
Winning on the Perimeter
Coming into 2021 the Falcons have a deep group of wide receivers.  Kobe Robinson led the way week 1, quietly making seven catches for 123 yards.  His 58-yard catch and run late in the first half set up a touchdown pass to MJ Link on the very next play.  Jordan Smart saw his first major collegiate action and shined.  The freshman caught four passes for 53 yards and his first touchdown, a contested ball over the middle on fourth down.
 
Getting to the QB
The Falcon defensive line cause havoc Saturday, getting to the quarterback four times and forcing the Bearcats to throw short screen passes to combat the pass rush.  The line recorded four sacks, by four different players, and four QB hurries
 
Home Cooking
The Falcons have turned the Permian Basin into a tough place for opposing teams in recent years.  Since 2018 the Falcons are 9-5 at Ratliff and Grande Stadium.  The last two seasons the Falcons are 7-2 and winners of five straight home games.  During that time the Falcons are outscoring opponents 45.4 to 21.4 points per game.
 
Closing Time
Give the Falcons a lead and they won't look back.  All-time the Falcons are 13-2 with a halftime lead and 15-3 with a lead after three quarters.  
 
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