JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Blazers will travel to Abilene, Texas on Saturday to play McMurry University for the first time ever on the gridiron. Saturday's game will also be the final road contest of the 2015 season for Belhaven.
The Blazers stand at 1-7 on the season after falling to East Texas Baptist University last week in Marshall, Texas 13-46. The Warhawks are 3-5 in 2015, but have lost three straight including a 7-13 defeat at Sul Ross State last week. McMurry is 0-3 this season at Wilford Moore Stadium.
Saturday's game marks a return for several members of the coaching staff to Abilene. It will be the first time for the Blazers coaches to return to Wilford Moore Stadium in competition since coaching or playing for the Warhawks prior to joining the staff at Belhaven.
Under Mumme, McMurry was 27-16 in four seasons, including a 15-9 mark in ASC play and a trip to the 2011 NCAA Playoffs.
Blazers quarterbacks have connected with 18 different receivers this season, including 12 receivers averaging at least one catch per game and 10 receivers with at least 10 catches.
Clayton Webb surpassed 1500 yards passing this season in Belhaven's win against Warner. He has 1643 yards on the year.
Nate Williams matched a career high with eight catches against East Texas Baptist. He also had a career high 89 yards receiving in the game, along with a touchdown.
Alvin Vaughn leads the Blazers with 68 tackles. Vaughn, who led the Blazers with 89 tackles in 2014, has 3.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery as well. He also has two interceptions on the season.
Isaiah Swopes added his name to the record books for Belhaven with two interceptions against Louisiana College. He matched that mark against Warner. Swopes leads the Blazers with five interceptions this season. He also has 27 tackles, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Steven Joiner has surpassed the 40/10 mark for the second straight season. He currently sits at 46 tackles with 10.5 for a loss. Last year, Joiner finished with 66 tackles and 12 for a loss. He is the first Blazer to complete the mark since Melvin Dyson did in 2008 and 2009.
The Blazers are set to play a team from Texas for the 13th time in the program's history. This week's game is the third of four games this season against Texas teams, including the second of three straight to end the season.
Heading into the season, Belhaven had played just two of the ASC's seven football schools in the program's history. Belhaven had already played Mary Hardin-Baylor and Louisiana College in the past. McMurry is the second of three straight against ASC opponents that Belhaven has never played.
The game is set for a 12 p.m. start at Wilford Moore Stadium and will be broadcast live on the Blazers Sports Network and 1180 AM in the Jackson-Metro area.
