Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Okla.—The OPSU Aggie football team will hit the road once again this week in search of a much-needed "W" against NAIA opponent Wayland Baptist University.

The Aggies (1-4) are wrapping up a three-game road trip heading to Plainview, Texas to take on the Pioneers of Wayland Baptist University (0-4). Last year the Aggies dominated WBU with a 67-14 victory to end the season; they will face an improved Pioneer team this week and the Aggies know they will need to play hard the full 60 minutes in order to come out with second win.

Last week the Aggies suffered losses to the offensive line when injuries took out starting guards Domonique Wyatt (LG) and Cameron Hickey (RG). They hope to compensate for the losses by shifting the o-line around and moving seasoned lineman Marcus Dimando to left guard and red-shirt freshman Allston Hadley to right guard; freshmen Guerrero Garcia and Diego Arenas will be on the outside as tackles and junior Cole Wills will start at center. Caleb Holbrook will start at quarterback again this week; Holbrook has accumulated 726 passing yards thus far and is averaging 25.4 yards rushing per game. The Aggies hope to be aggressive with the run game and will rely on the consistency of Chris McClendon and the speed of Justin Fogle to get the work done on the ground. Timothy Hollingshed and Jamal White will be targets for Hollbrook at the wide receiver position as well as tight end Josh Bullard; Hollingshed and White have combined for over 300 yards in the air so far this season.

On defense the Aggies will need to focus on stopping the run against the Pioneer's leading rusher Kendall Roberson who has averaged a whopping 182.3 yards per game in three games played. With a strong d-line consisting of Allen Maxime, Cortney Stinnett, and Glenn Bonner and starting linebackers: Andrew Dougherty, Tanner Hallford, Kris Kelley, and Isaia Vimoto, the Aggies should be able to successfully shut down the run game. Josh Houghtaling will be starting at QB for the Pioneers and is averaging 106 yards passing per game. The Aggies will look to corners Jamel Major and Keidrick Brewster and safeties Xazier Murry and Domonique Guest to shut down the WBU receivers and compete for interceptions.

Special teams will continue to be an area of concentration and with Rod Moore and Chris McClendon in the back returning, and the strong legs of kickers Carlos Nieto and Gabriel Ortega and punter Antonio Mendoza, the Aggies will aim to create game-changing momentum.

OPSU head  football coach Russell Gaskamp said "We are going to have to play better this week against a much-improved WBU team from last year. Our defense needs to focus on stopping Roberson and the run game and we will need to be much more efficient offensively. Our team has its goals in sight and is ready to snap this losing streak before we come home next week for Homecoming."

Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Aggie fans can follow every second of the game this week via live video, live stats, and live radio links that are available on the OPSU Aggie Athletics website under the football schedule.