Homecoming week has arrived in Alpine, Texas.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Lobo football team steps underneath the lights at Jackson Field to take on the Western New Mexico Mustangs at 7 p.m. CST.

>> HEAD TO HEAD:

Since the first series meeting in 1949, Sul Ross State is 7-15 against the Mustangs.

Western New Mexico has won the last 13 meetings. The last meeting between both teams was last fall when the Lobos had a shootout that went in favor of the Mustangs, 42-28, in Silver City, N.M.

Since 1984, the Mustangs are 14-3 against the Lobos.

Sul Ross State last defeated Western New Mexico on Sept. 19, 1987 by a score of 14-0 at Jackson Field.

>> SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS:

• Western New Mexico enters the contest with a 2-5 overall record and 0-5 mark in Lone Star Conference play.
• Last week the Mustangs suffered a 42-17 loss to West Texas A&M on the road in Canyon, Texas.
• Western New Mexico has dropped its last four contests.
• The Mustangs began the season 2-1 with a 46-36 win over Adams State and a 36-33 nail-biting victory over in-state rival New Mexico Highlands.
• Senior quarterback Josh Magana has completed 102 of 184 passes for 1,121 yards and four touchdowns.
• Based on yardage, Magana is the third-best quarterback in the LSC.
• Senior running back Jamon Chambers has led the rushing attack with 429 yards on 95 carries with five touchdowns.
• Chambers ranks ninth in the LSC in rushing.
• Western New Mexico's receiving corps has three players with over 200 yards. Sophomore Davey Morales leads the way with 261 yards on 24 catches with two touchdowns.
• Sophomore linebacker Cole Lalama is the LSC's top tackler with 69 total tackles and 44 solo tackles.
• Western New Mexico is led by head coach Billy Hickman who was elevated to the helm of the program in Feb. 2023 after spending 13 years as the offensive coordinator.  

>> SUCCESS ON HOMECOMING:

The Lobos are trying to pull off their third-straight homecoming victory.

Since 2011, Sul Ross State is 7-5 on homecoming.

During the 2022 season, the Lobos defeated former rival McMurry, 33-27, while last season they won a shootout over Howard Payne, 47-42.

Homecoming event schedule for alumni and student activities: https://www.sulross.edu/student-life/homecoming/#1728422800843-21135b99-1011

>> AROUND THE LONE STAR CONFERENCE:

In the top 25: No. 15 Central Washington

LSC standings:

• Angelo State (4-2, 4-0)
• Western Oregon (4-2, 4-0)
• Central Washington (4-2, 3-1)
• Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-2, 3-1)
• UT Permian Basin (4-3, 3-2)
• Midwestern State (3-3, 2-2)
• West Texas A&M (2-4, 2-2)
• Eastern New Mexico (2-4, 0-4)
• Western New Mexico (2-5, 0-5)
• Sul Ross State (1-5, 0-4)

This week's LSC schedule:

• West Texas A&M at Eastern New Mexico (1 p.m.)
• Western Oregon at UT Permian Basin (6 p.m.)
• Central Washington at Texas A&M-Kingsville (7 p.m.)
• Angelo State at Midwestern State (7 p.m.)

LSC scores from last week:

• Western Oregon 49, Eastern New Mexico 20
• Angelo State 38, Texas A&M-Kingsville 0
• West Texas A&M 42, Western New Mexico 17
• UT Permian Basin 14, Central Washington 13

>> THE LOBOS:

• Sul Ross State's offense ranks sixth in the LSC in scoring with 149 points, tied for third in offensive touchdowns scored (20), second in passing (1,463 yards), first in average passing yards per game (243.8) and fourth in passing completion (55.9%).
• The Lobo special teams' unit is one of four teams that has been perfect on point after attempts.
• Andrew Martinez ranks second in the LSC in passing with 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• Martinez is fourth in total offense in the LSC with 1,252 yards.
• Austin Ogunmakin is second in receiving in the LSC with 402 yards.
• Yamil Oaxaca is third in the conference with 394 receiving yards.
• Oaxaca is also tied for fifth in the LSC in scoring with 36 points and six touchdowns while he is third in all-purpose yards with 662.
• Carlos Arreola is seventh in the LSC among kickers in scoring with 29 points. He is a perfect 20 for 20 on point after attempts while he has made three field goals.
• Quincy Blair ranks second in the LSC with 60 total tackles while he is tied for first with 44 solo tackles while Brendon Martin is seventh with 45 total tackles.

GAME INFO
WHO: Western New Mexico at Sul Ross State
WHEN: 7 p.m. CST (Saturday, Oct. 19)
WHERE: Jackson Field
HOW TO WATCH: FloSports ($)
ON THE AIR:  KVLF 98.7 FM
LIVE STATS: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=536816
TICKETS: https://srlobos.com/sports/2021/8/27/hometown-tickets-page.aspx