Football | 11/8/2019 1:49:00 PM

Oklahoma Panhandle State University football returns home on Saturday (Nov. 9) to begin a two-game homestand to close out the 2019 season, when it plays host to Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Kickoff at Anchor D Stadium is set for 2 p.m., with the annual "Guns & Hoses" competition between First Responders, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Tailgate Area.
 
All First Responders and their immediate family will be admitted free of charge with identification.
 
The Aggies come into the game with a record of 2-6 overall and 2-4 in the Sooner Athletic Conference, while the guests from Waxahachie, Texas, the Lions, are 0-8 in 2019 and 0-6 in SAC play.
 
Panhandle State leads the all-time series between the schools, 7-3. The first meeting was in 2002, with OPSU winning the first five meetings. The Aggies won last year's bout by a 35-20 score.
 
SAGU's record is somewhat deceiving as the Lions have lost six game by to score scores of less, among them a one-point loss to Austin College and a triple-overtime loss at Texas Wesleyan (similarly, the Aggies also defeated TWU, in two overtimes).
 
Defense has been SAGU's forte the season. The Lions rank #2 in the SAC for total defense in the circuit, allowing an average of 286.4 yards per game. SAGU permits an average of just 116.4 yards per game on the ground (#3 in the SAC), and is #1 in both passing defense at a miniscule 170.0 yards per game through the air and opponent first downs allowed (113). Individually, SAGU's Jaylin Moss is #3 in both interceptions (3) and passes defended per game (1.1).
 
The SAGU-OPSU match-up will also feature the top-two tacklers in the SAC, with the Aggies' Diamante Pounds at #1 (9.6 tackles per game) and the Lion's Landon Jones (9.5 tackles per game). Both of these outstanding players are seniors for their respective teams.
 
OPSU defensive back Ja'Quavion Daniels has 63 total tackles, as well. Matt Hernandez and Tony Davis each have 32 tackles. Davis and Charoy Joseph each have two interceptions this season.
 
Panhandle State also has sophomore quarterback Tony Brown making a place for himself in the SAC's offensive stats. Brown is #2 in rushing yards (102.0 y.p.g.) and #5 in total offense (175.9 y.p.g.).  Brown has had four 100-plus yard rushing games, including a 225-yard effort versus Ottawa-Arizona.
 
The Aggies "UPS connection" of Tony Brown-to-Jaishone Brown has proven a deadly combo. The duo has hooked up for a touchdown pass in each of the last three games. Jaishone Brown leads the Aggies with 26 receptions for 344 receiving yards (13.2 y.p.c.).
 
Despite missing two games due to injury, Seth Barbarino also has three TD receptions. Barbarino has 15 catches for 266 yards.
 
As a team, the Aggies are #3 in rushing yards per game (167.0) and are the SAC's least-penalized team. Panhandle has been flagged just 53 times for an average of 63.6 yards per outing in penalties. The Aggies are also best in the SAC against fourth-down plays.