KINGSVILLE, Texas – Texas A&M-Kingsville's football team is set to return to Javelina Stadium for just its second home game of the season this Saturday night. They'll be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Night while taking on conference foe West Texas A&M at 7 p.m.
For Hispanic Heritage Night, the Javelinas will honor TAMUK's proud history as a Hispanic Serving Institution in South Texas and recognize the university's annual Hispanic Heritage Heroes during the game.
Both teams are aiming to get back in the win column, with the Javelinas (3-1, LSC 1-1) coming off their first loss of the season last week on the road against UT Permian Basin, 29-17.
On the other side, the Buffaloes (2-3, LSC 1-2) are looking to end a two-game skid that has seen them lose their last two games by a single point.
TAMUK will rely on its top-rated defense, which boasts a Lone Star Conference-best turnover margin per game of 1.75 this season. So far, the Hog defense has forced 12 turnovers through the first four games, including three fumble recoveries and a conference-leading nine interceptions.
On the offensive side, Incarnate Word transfer Kannon Williams is slated to start at quarterback for the Blue and Gold following Jacob Cavazos' injury last week in the second quarter. Williams previously started in TAMUK's last home game in week two when the Javelinas defeated then-No. 20 West Georgia, 20-17. In that win, Williams went 14-of-21 through the air for 99 yards with one touchdown to wide receiver Jackson Allen.
Scouting the Buffs
WT comes to Kingsville under first-year head coach Josh Lynn after two narrow losses, including a home defeat last week to Western Oregon, 37-36, and a road loss the week before to UTPB, 41-40 (OT). In both games, the Buffs held the lead in the fourth quarter before eventually falling.
Offensively, WT has the fewest turnovers this season, with only five. Freshman quarterback Kanon Gibson leads all of Division II in completion percentage, boasting a .706 completion rate for the year.
On the defensive side, linebacker Jimmy Harrison leads the conference in total tackles with 9.8 per game, while Koby Kings leads in tackles for loss per game with 1.2.
Last Meeting
The Javelinas and Buffaloes last met on September 17, 2022, in Canyon, with TAMUK securing a win over the then-No. 14 Buffs, 31-24.
In a back-and-forth affair, the Javelinas found the game-winning score early in the fourth quarter as quarterback Jacob Cavazos connected with tight end Allen Arclies on a short touchdown pass.
During the win, the Javelinas forced six turnovers, with Isaiah Jacobs recording two interceptions.
Christian Anderson led the team in scoring and rushing with two touchdowns and 164 yards on the ground, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Wideout Craig Clemons led the team in receiving with 103 yards on four receptions. Gilbert Garza also knocked through a then-career-best 52-yard field goal.
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