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SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Football) – Javelina faithful will not have to travel too far to see their beloved Hogs begin 2016 as Texas A&M University-Kingsville begins the campaign at the University of the Incarnate Word, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium.
 
Year two of the Daren Wilkinson era begins in a much familiar place – San Antonio – as TAMUK looks to avenge its heartbreaking loss in last season's opener. In the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 16, the Cardinals went for a PAT that was blocked but fell into the kicker's hand, who proceeded to walk into the end zone for two and the game, 18-16.
 
Intro

• Game Notes: http://www.javelinaathletics.com/sports/2013/11/7/FB_1107131507.aspx?path=football
• Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/incarnateword/football/
• Audio: http://sportsradiocc.com/
  • Tune into the KSIX Sports Radio 1230 AM, 96.1 FM and 103.3 FM in Corpus Christi, KTAI 91.1 FM in Kingsville and a stream on the Javelina Sports Radio Network, beginning with the pregame show at 5:45 p.m. Kevin Piel and Kelvin Queliz will have the call.
• Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/uiw/

 
Quick Hits

• Eleven All-Lone Star Conference selections return for the Javelinas, including first team and NFLPA Watch List honoree Anthony Autry. Autry compiled 831 yards and seven touchdowns in his first season in Kingsville.
• Joining AA on the NFLPA Watch List is 2015 All-LSC second team and Don Hansen All-Super Region Four third team pick Bo Villarreal. Villarreal is one of seven returning offensive linemen for the Hogs – Aundra Long, who found the end zone on a three-yard lateral at Eastern New Mexico University in 2015, Ralph Rubalcaba, Stuart Sanchez and Michael O'Neal, Jake Wallace and Luke Spies also return – and Rice University transfer Justin Warren enters the mix up front.

 
Can He Continue?
Senior running back Greg Pitre ended last season on one of the hottest streaks in the NCAA, regardless of Division. He closed out the season with a career-high 226 rushing yards on 27 carries and added four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns. In the Lone Star Conference Playoff opener at Tarleton State University, he rushed for 186 yards on 28 carries and added a receiving touchdown and on Halloween, he was a menace at Midwestern State University, finishing with 76 rushing yards and 175 receiving yards for two touchdowns. All in all, he compiled 744 rushing yards and 397 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
 
Use the Big Fellas
Tight ends and full backs are a novelty in the LSC but if you look at the Javelina roster, you see Torrey Thomas (All-LSC second team), Roe Posada, Chris Cooper and Daniel Ramirez (All-LSC second team, Don Hansen All-Super Region Four third team) returning and joined by freshmen Kyle Williams (Katy HS), Brent Hertel (Cypress Falls HS) and Leyton Hernandez (King HS) and transfers Stehly Reden (CSU-Pueblo) and Roel Morin (Trinity Valley CC).
 
Three-Headed Beast
Nick Pelrean, who was primarily featured on special teams as a true freshman in 2015, expects to see one of the three-headed monsters for the Hogs from the tailback position. Pitre and Pelrean will be joined by power back Luis Lopez, who transferred in from Trinity Valley Junior College. "Red" as he is often referred to will also factor in on special teams after earning All-LSC honors last season.
 
We Go 10 Deep!
From the wideout position, Autry will be joined by Jordan Thomas, who collected 40 receptions for 703 yards and five scores. Chaz Adams (sat out 2015), Wesley McCoy, Nico Brown, Devin Milburn and Kyle Plum will receive action as well as Wilkinson says the WR position is the deepest on the roster.
 
Defense
Defensively, Trevor Moses returns from injury and looks to regain his 2014 form which earned him All-LSC honors as a true freshman. Moving to flex linebacker after seeing action on the defensive line is a svelte Braedon Robinson, who tallied 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries, one being a 49-yard recovery for a touchdown versus A&M-Commerce. He earned All-LSC honorable mention honors along with fellow junior returnee DeMarcus Spurlock, who led the team with 79 tackles. Looking to capitalize on a sensational freshman year, defensive end Brandon Jones looks to up his totals after finishing 2015 with 58 tackles, 4.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss. Seniors Alex Kuyinu and Ifey Ibik, who moves back to defense after receiving limited action on the o-line in 2015, are likely the starters.
 
Another deep position for Wilkinson and co. is the linebackers/flex crew with ZeMarcus Green (61 stops, second most in 2015) and Torrey Boozer, a transfer from Missouri and Frisco Junior College.
 
The veteran secondary returns of Kelechi Amushie (All-LSC selection), Forrest Jones and Joe Crowe enter their senior season in 2016. Transfers Jarrod Sanders, Justin Gillory and Josh Bowman join the secondary as they look to wreak havoc as competition has been fierce throughout camp. 
 
Special Teams
Julio De la Garza returns for his sophomore campaign after connecting on 10 field goals and earning All-LSC honorable mention. Punter Tristan Hernandez averaged 37.0 yards per kick and returns for his senior season. Klein Oak native Dillon Scherer will also see action as a punter.
 
Behind Center? Find Out Sept. 3
Myles Carr and Conner Smith were neck-and-neck and the starting quarterback gig will be revealed on the first offensive snap of 2016. Carr finished 2015 with 21 throwing touchdowns and 25 total. His 21 TDs in the air were three less than the single season school record. He tossed seven touchdowns in his final two games last season, and the number that stands out is zero… as in 0 interceptions on 60 attempts.
 
40^th Anniversary
2016 marks the 40^th anniversary of the incomparable 1976 squad that went on to win the NAIA Championship.
 
Season Tickets
Season tickets are still available and can be purchased on JavelinaTickets.com. For more information, please call the Javelina ticket office (361-593-4030) or visit the McCulley Hall Ticket Office.
 
Social Media
Fans are also encouraged to interact with @JavelinaSports by following Texas A&M-Kingsville football on Twitter, @JavelinaFB, and @JavelinaFB on Instagram, liking the official Facebook page of Javelina football (/JavelinaFootball) and subscribing to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.