KINGSVILLE, Texas – Back at home for the first time in three weeks, the Texas A&M-Kingsville football team (1-2) will host the third-ranked team in the country, the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions (3-0), who will visit Kingsville, Texas to battle for the Chennault Cup on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at Javelina Stadium.

The Lions enter Saturday undefeated, having opened their schedule with an 8-7 victory over No. 10 North Alabama and followed that with a pair of blowout wins over William Jewell and Eastern New Mexico. In each of the last two weeks, the Lions topped 50 points and they own the second-highest scoring average in the Lone Star Conference at 39.3 points per game.

Coach Colby Carthel's offense has been led by quarterback Luis Perez. A first-team All-LSC selection and honorable mention All-American in 2016, the senior has continued to have success in 2017. After tossing three interceptions against UNA, Perez has thrown for 593 yards over the last two weeks with nine touchdowns. He's also completed 75% of his passes over the last two contests. His 357 yards and six total TDs against Eastern New Mexico earned him recognition as the LSC Offensive Player of the Week.

Perez commands an offense that ranks fourth in the LSC, averaging 391.0 yards per game. Their running game totaled 179 yards against William Jewell, but failed to reach 100 yards in either of Commerce's other two contests. They've also had a different player lead the team in rushing each week with E.J. Thompson's 69 yards against WJC representing the squad's season-high. Senior Buck Wilson leads the receiving corps with 14 catches for 155 yards and three touchdowns, but junior Darrion Landry stole the show last Saturday. He pulled down seven passes for 112 yards and a pair of scores in his school's 51-22 triumph.

Getting the start for the Javelinas for the second straight week will be Cade Dyal. The native of Kerrville, Texas has hit on 42-of-67 passes through three games with four touchdowns and no interceptions. His completion percentage of 62.7 is the third best in the Lone Star Conference and he's also thrown the most passes of any signal caller in the LSC without an interception. He will be needing help from his offensive line, however, and the 11 sacks Kingsville has allowed so far in 2017 are the most in the league.

The most dynamic weapon for TAMUK on offense has been receiver Jordan Thomas. His 15 receptions and 272 yards both place him fourth in the conference while his four total touchdowns tie him for third in scoring. On the ground, Thomas is one of four different players who average better than five yards per carry, with Nick Pelrean's 9.5 leading the way. Pelrean's 199 yards are the best on the team, but not far behind is Jeff Carr with 171 and he sports an average of 5.1 ypc. Also contributing is redshirt freshman Marcus Younger, who is coming off a 116 yard performance against Midwestern State.

The Javelina defense is led by redshirt-junior Kuziah Ferebee, who tops the conference and is tied for fourth in Division II with three interceptions. Ferebee's season has begun with interceptions in each of his team's first three games, one of only three players in Division II accomplish that feat. Sophomore Caleb Valentine is third in the LSC with two-and-a-half sacks and linebacker Trevor Moses leads the team in tackles with 20.

The Lions field a defense that is second in the LSC with 287.7 yards per game allowed and has given up just 526 yards through the air this season, the fewest in the conference. Their 10 sacks are tied for the second-most in the league. Against North Alabama, the Lions defense totaled six sacks and also racked up 12 tackles for loss, while holding their opponents to just 38 yards on the ground.

Carthel is looking to maintain a perfect record against Kingsville. He's gone 4-0 against the Hogs since he arrived in Commerce in 2013, including a 38-36 squeaker in last year's meeting. The last victory for the Javelinas in the rivalry was at Javelina Stadium in 2011, when they knocked off the Lions by a score of 39-21. At the time, that was the fourth straight season the Hogs had taken down the Lions.

Live video, audio and stats for Saturday's game will be available on javelinaathletics.com and the game will also be live on the radio on WILD 105.5 and KTAI 91.1. Mark Inserra and Ian Bernal will call all the action. Once the game ends, javelinaatheltics.com is also where you can find a complete recap off all the action in Kingsville. It will be IBC Bank Hispanic Heritage and Hall of Fame and Champions Weekend on campus. Join us on Saturday for a special brunch honoring Fred Nuesch's 50 years with Javelina Nation during Hall of Fame Weekend. The event will be held at 11 a.m. in the Grand Ballrooms at Memorial Student Union Building at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Tickets and tables are still available and all proceeds will benefit the Joan & Fred Nuesch Endowment at TAMUK. For more information on ticket and/or tables, please contact Dennis Hawkins via email (dennis.hawkins@tamuk.edu) or phone (361-593-4787).