KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Texas A&M-Kingsville football program was in the drivers' seat for most of the first half against Western Oregon on Saturday at Pepsi Field at Javelina Stadium, but were plagued by second-half woes en route to the 26-14 loss to close out the non-conference schedule.

Listen in to the postgame press conference with head coach Daren Wilkinson at the following link: LISTEN

The Javelinas (1-5) held the lead at the break but couldn't maintain the cushion in the second half as the Wolves (4-2) came away with the decision.

Senior Donte Ross (Palmdale, Calif.) opened the scoring for the hosts with a three-yard dash to the end zone early in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. The Hogs started the opening drive at their own 38 and used a 30-yard strike from redshirt junior Cade Dyal (Kerrville, Texas) to redshirt sophomore Ryan Martinez (Kingsville, Texas) to move the chains down to the Wolves' one-yard line to set up the score.

Western Oregon had the response on the next drive as Marquis Sampson took the ensuing kickoff 67 yards back the other way down to the TAMUK 26, which allowed the visitors to find the back of the end zone three plays later after Ty Currie scrambled 15 yards past the goal line to knot the contest at 7-7.

The following Javelina drive stalled out after nine plays but a critical fumble by WOU on the punt gave possession back to TAMUK with first and goal at the 10. Momentum quickly swung back the other way, unfortunately, as Curtis Anderson cut off the pass from Dyal in the end zone to give possession back to the Wolves.

Neither side made headway from there as another turnover put the Hogs in a favorable position in WOU territory before the visitors forced the three-and-out. The scoring resumed shortly into the second quarter as a 33-yard field goal attempt from the Wolves was blocked and a 70-yard dash from senior Josh Wilson (Corpus Christi, Texas) added another touchdown for TAMUK as the 14-7 score held firm at the end of the first half.

The lead was quickly erased at the start of the third quarter as WOU took the first drive of the half down the length of the field that allowed Currie to tack on another rushing score with 11:52 showing on the clock. The Javelinas had another drive end on a turnover as Anderson picked off Dyal for the second time in the game and the Wolves capitalized on the sudden change in possession five plays later with a seven-yard rush from Omari Land to put the hosts down 20-14 with 5:26 remaining.

WOU added its last score late in the third after Nico Jackson sprinted his way for 40 yards to set up an 11-yard scamper from Currie with five seconds remaining in the frame, his third rushing score of the day. The Hogs had one final opportunity to swing momentum back their way as redshirt junior Tre'Michael Tutt (Channelview, Texas) punched the ball free from Land deep in the TAMUK red zone to put a stop to the scoring threat.

Unfortunately, the Wolves made a critical play of their own on the ensuing drive as Joey Sinclair needed only one hand to snatch a pass out of the air with 3:25 remaining in the game to secure the victory for the visitors at 26-14.

Redshirt senior Luis Lopez (San Diego, Texas) led the ground game with 71 yards on 11 rushes, while Martinez led the receiving corps with 55 yards on three catches.

Tutt led the defense with a game-high 13 tackles, including the lone TAMUK sack, and a forced fumble. Redshirt sophomore Kason Franklin (Cypress, Texas) added 10 tackles of his own to finish as the other Javelina with double-digit stops.

The Hogs will head out on the road next week to resume Lone Star Conference action as they pay a visit to Wichita Falls, Texas, to take on Midwestern State.

Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy. For more information on Javelina football visit JavelinaAthletics.com, or follow the team on Facebook /JavelinaFootball and Twitter @JavelinaFB

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