ENMU football team back from break tonight

PORTALES — If Eastern New Mexico University’s schedule is any indication, you can’t have an off week in the Lone Star Conference .... except for your off week.

Hope the Greyhounds enjoyed their week away from action following their 6-1 start. They moved up three spots in the American Football Coaches Association poll to No. 21, matching their highest selection in team history, so now the target on their backs is bigger.

After Saturday’s home contest against Texas A&M-Kingsville, the Greyhounds have a short week of prep going into Thursday’s game at West Liberty. They’ll come back from that, and all they’ll have to worry about is No. 5 Midwestern State coming to town.

The first order of business is the Javelinas, who come in at 3-5 overall and 2-4 in conference. But ENMU coach Kelley Lee notes Kingsville has played one of the tougher schedules so far, with two of their losses coming to Midwestern State and No. 9 Texas A&M-Commerce.

“They shift, they do a lot of different personnel groupings,” Lee said. “Their defense is very unorthodox, so it was a good thing to have that extra week of practice.”

Whenever they have the ball, the Javelinas have somebody who’s dangerous. Junior running back Nick Pelrean is third in the conference in rushing, senior receiver Jordan Thomas is third in the Lone Star Conference in receiving and running back Keith Whitely is second in kickoff return average.

“Thomas is a big receiver,” Lee said. “You always worry about that, because we’re not very big in the secondary. But Pelrean had a big game last week. He had 200 all-purpose yards, and that didn’t include an 80-yarder that got called back. We’ve got to tackle well.”

On defense, Lee said, Kingsville boasts preseason defensive player of the year Brandon Jones and a secondary full of three- and four-year starters.

The Javelinas are in their second season under Daren Wilkinson, who could not be reached for comment for this story. The former Colorado State receiver and Colorado State-Pueblo offensive coordinator is 14-17 in his three seasons. He turned the Javelinas around from a 2-9 campaign in 2015 to 9-3 last year.

The Greyhounds will fly out to West Virginia to play West Liberty. Most of the preparation for the trip was handled during the bye week, but that still leaves little time to prepare for the game.

“Being a Thursday game, it will be very mental for us,” Lee said. “Kingsville will be a very physical game. There won’t be a lot of practice for us next week.”

Texas A&M-Kingsville (3-5, 2-4) at Eastern New Mexico (6-1, 5-1)

7 p.m., Greyhound Stadium

On the air: KSEL 105.9 FM.

Coaches: TAMU-K, Daren Wilkinson, third season, 14-17. ENMU, Kelley Lee, first season, 6-1.

Last week: Both teams last played Tarleton State. The Javelinas played the Texans last week, falling 41-34. The Greyhounds were idle following a 25-16 win over Tarleton State.

Last meeting: 2016, Kingsville 41-28. The Javelinas lead the series 20-8, but ENMU has won four of the last five.

Javelina players to watch: Jr. RB Nick Pelrean, Jr. WR Jordan Thomas, Jr. DL Brandon Jones.