Chadron State HighlightsROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T hits the road for the first time in the 2015 season for its final non-conference tilt of the season, as it travels to Kingsville, Texas to face Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Miners and Javelinas are each seeking their first win of the year after dropping their respective openers last week. Missouri S&T got off to a slow start in its contest against Chadron State before eventually falling 40-27 at Allgood-Bailey Stadium, while Texas A&M-Kingsville was edged 18-16 by NCAA Division I Football Championship Series member Incarnate Word.
ABOUT THE MINERS: The Miners had four touchdown drives in the second half against Chadron State, including three of 75 yards or more, but it wasn't enough to overcome a 31-point deficit in the loss to the Eagles. Missouri S&T had the ball for less than nine minutes of the first half and had just 96 yards of total offense in the first 30 minutes before finishing the night with 363.
Quarterback
Lamar Wilkes (Maryland Heights, Mo./Pattonville) completed 17-of-37 passes for 186 yards in the opener, including six to
Braxton Graham (Seneca, Mo./Seneca) as the Miner quarterbacks completed passes to nine different receivers.
Chris Kennard (Plano, Texas/Parish Episcopal), who had a 42-yard touchdown run in the contest, led S&T on the ground with 46 yards on four carries; S&T finished with 150 yards rushing as a team.
Linebacker
Nate Brown (Webb City, Mo./Webb City) led the Miners in tackles against the Eagles with eight stops, while
Landon Compton (Lamar, Mo./Lamar) and
Rob Cidlik (Eureka, Mo./Eureka) had seven stops apiece. Brown also forced the Eagles' only turnover in the game, a fumble recovered by
Austin Truvillion (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill).
ABOUT THE JAVELINAS: Missouri S&T will be facing a Texas A&M-Kingsville team that has been a traditional power in NCAA Division II, with 14 appearances in the national playoffs since 1988 and a team that played in a post-season game as recently as three years ago. However, since the start of the 2013 season, the Javelinas have won just four of 22 games and are looking to get back on track under new head coach Daren Wilkinson.
Last week, the Javelinas led for a good portion of the second half against Incarnate Word before falling 18-16 in San Antonio. Quarterback Myles Carr, who played previously at Fresno State, completed 16-of-27 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Thomas caught four balls to lead the Javelinas in the receiving category, while Joe Te'o led the rushing attack with 34 yards that included a touchdown.
The Javelina defense – headed by former Miner head coach David Brown – forced four turnovers in the game and rank fourth in NCAA Division II in turnover margin after the first weekend of action. Linebacker Zemarcus Green had a team-high nine tackles at UIW, while Devonte Williams had an interception.
