ODESSA, Texas (November 8, 2024) – After a "Week 9" bye week last week, UTPB (5-4 overall, 4-3 Lone Star Conference) continues its three-game road trip to finish the season at Eastern New Mexico University (3-6, 1-6) during "Week 10" (Nov. 9) this week.

Kickoff between the Falcons and Greyhounds will come at 1 p.m. Central Time / 12 p.m. Mountain Time on Saturday, November 9, from Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium in Portales, New Mexico.

After splitting its first eight games of the season between the win and loss column, The University of Texas Permian Basin football team is playing its final three games of the 2024 season on the road and looks to win two games in a row for the first time this season this weekend.

In its last time out two weeks ago (Oct. 26), UTPB scored on each of its first three possessions of the game and the defense forced three turnovers as the Falcons took down West Texas A&M University by a score of 21-7 on the road on Saturday night at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

In addition to being back-to-back wins against the Buffaloes after an overtime win at home last season, this was the Falcons' first-ever victory in Canyon, Texas.

The game featured no scores in the second half as Head Coach Kris McCullough opted to turn to the run game to try and limit WT's possessions in the second half.

UTPB's Ben Patterson caught four passes for 161 yards and the game's first touchdown from Issac Mooring, who also ran for a score. Tyler Cleveland had the Falcons' other touchdown, a 17-yard run.

Tristan Exline had 12 tackles, Dante Heaggans had two interceptions and Yemi Oyesanya had a sack and a forced fumble to lead the Falcons' defense.

UTPB is 6-0 on the road in LSC games under Coach McCullough. During its current three-game winning streak on the road this season, the UTPB defense is allowing just 7.67 points per game.

This season, UTPB ranks third in the Lone Star Conference in yards per game (381.3) and is also third in yards allowed per game (283.7).

THE SERIES (UTPB VS. ENMU)
This week's opponent, Eastern New Mexico, leads the LSC with 435.9 yards of offense and 30.6 points scored per game. UTPB is the league's best passing offense (233.0 YPG) while ENMU boasts the best rushing offense (349.8 YPG).

The Falcons and Greyhounds meet for the eighth time on the gridiron this Saturday with UTPB winning the last four matchups and holding the 4-3 advantage in the series.

GREYHOUNDS UNDER THE LENS
The Hounds enter the weekend with an overall record of 3-6 with an 1-6 mark in Lone Star Conference action following a 33-28 loss at Sul Ross State University last Saturday. SRSU beat ENMU for the first time since 1970.

The Greyhounds outgained the Lobos 484-399 offensively in the matchup. Eastern New Mexico struggled in fourth down opportunities going 2-for-6 in that department. All three of ENMU's drives in the fourth quarter ended via a missed field goal or a turnover on downs.

Ron Craten continued his remarkable season at fullback with 178 yards on 22 total carries. He is 51 yards away from eclipsing the 1000 mark in 2024.

Junior quarterback Mario Sanchez guides the triple-option attack for the Greyhounds as the Denver City product has completed 36-of-70 passes for 672 yards and four touchdowns, he has also carried the ball 101 times for 523 yards and six touchdowns. Sophomore linebacker Matthew Quartieri leads the way defensively for the Hounds with 78 total tackles (42 solo) to go along with one sack and an interception.

ENMU brings back 14 starters from the 2023 squad, including starting quarterback Mario Sanchez and starting fullback Elijah Zeh. Both players made a statement in a rushing offense that led the Lone Star Conference a year ago as they ran for 1,346 yards and 21 total touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, the Greyhounds will look for strong production from linebackers Matthew Quartieri and Dylan Quartieri. The two brothers combined for 70 tackles last season. Sophomore cornerback Micah Lewis is back with the program and was named a conference player to watch in late-July. The Amarillo, Texas native posted six pass breakups in his rookie campaign.

ENMU HEAD COACH
Kelley Lee returned to Eastern New Mexico in January 2023 for his second stint as the head coach in Portales. Lee holds an overall record of 31-25 for the Greyhounds.

Lee led the Hounds to their first Division II bowl game victory against Southern Arkansas in the 2019 Heritage Bowl. Lee served as the ENMU offensive coordinator for five seasons under Josh Lynn before taking over the reins in Portales in 2017.

CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
Sul Ross State, Angelo State, Western Oregon and West Texas A&M all earned victories in "Week 9" of Lone Star Conference football. UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico had a bye.

ASU (7-2 overall) extended its winning streak to seven games and stayed alone atop the LSC standings at 7-0. Western Oregon (6-3 overall) improved to 6-1 in league play. The two meet each other on Saturday (Nov. 9) at 3:05 p.m. CT at McArthur Field in Monmouth, Ore. ASU can secure the conference title with a win.

In addition to the ASU-WOU matchup, "Week 10" will have the remaining eight LSC teams in action.

After Saturday, only one playing date will remain in the regular season: Nov. 16.

ASU, WOU and Central Washington were all under consideration in the first Super Region Four NCAA Division II Regional Rankings, which were released Oct. 28.

Eastern New Mexico is producing 435.9 offensive yards per game, followed by CWU (411.6 ypg) and UT Permian Basin (381.3 ypg). ENMU is scoring a league-high 30.6 points per game and has found the end zone an LSC-best 37 times.

On the defensive side of the ball, CWU is allowing just 233.8 yards per game and has two shutouts. ASU (267 ypg) and UTPB (283.7) are also holding opponents under 300 yards per game. ASU has the LSC's top scoring defense at 10.9 points per game and has allowed just 12 TDs all season. The Rams also have two shutouts and a league-high 22 sacks. ASU and WOU are tied for the league lead with 12 interceptions.

ASU is the least penalized team in the LSC at 51.7 yards per game.

GAME INFORMATION
To watch LSC football games all season long, tune in to FloCollege (monthly and yearly subscriptions are available).

All UTPB home and away football games can be heard live on KQRX 95.1 FM, 95X, a West Texas Radio Group station" with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Monty Montgomery (Play-by-Play) and Ben Farmer (Color Commentary) return this season in the broadcast booth for the Falcons.

To follow the action for the Falcons all season long, please check out our Live Events page for all of the video and live stats details: https://utpbfalcons.com/coverage.
 
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Week 10 Game Notes
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