OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – McMurry University football will hit the road for the second of three-consecutive road games, traveling to Oklahoma City to face NAIA foe Langston University at Moses Miller Stadium.  Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m.
 
The match-up will pair two teams against each other which both have put up some impressive offensive numbers, thus far in 2015. The Lions (1-2) began the season ranked No. 18 in the NAIA. Both of LU's losses have come to NCAA Division II opponents. Langston opened with a narrow 32-34 setback at the hands of Lincoln University and then dispatched of Bethany (Kan.) by a score of 33-14 in week two. Last week, LU fell at Oklahoma Panhandle State, 40-35.  (McM will play at Lincoln next week and host OPSU on Oct. 17).
 
Langston is averaging 496.5 yards per game in total offense, while allowing an average of 290.5 y.p.g.

For its part, the War Hawks (2-1) are putting up some good numbers of their own, with a total offense average of 452.0 yards per game (210.7 of which comes via the rush).  The ground game has been capably handled by senior Paxton Grayer. Grayer has rolled up 544 rushing yards in the three games (181.3 y.p.g.), including a career-best 216 yards on 21 carries in last week's win at Texas College.
 
McMurry opened its season with a 49-22 win at East Texas Baptist and in week #2 dropped their home opener (7-6) to Southwestern. Last week, the War Hawks pummeled Texas College,
40-0, on the road.  Versus TC, McMurry permitted just 113 yards of offense, while rolling up 465 yards of its own on offense. McM dominated the game in virtually every category. The War Hawks had the advantage in:  first downs (23-10); third down conversions (8-1) and time of
possession (34:38-25:22). Three QBs saw action for McM, for a combined 17-for-31 and 180 yards, with zero interceptions. 
 
In 2015, the McM defense has been downright stingy, allowing an average of 167.7 yards per contest. In its past two outings, the War Hawks' defense has given up a total of just seven points and pitched their first shutout since 2012.  Junior defensive back Ryan Williams is in the familiar position of leading McM in tackles (something he has done in each of his previous two campaigns), with 28.  Williams also has a team-leading three interceptions.
 
Junior linebacker Chase Franklin – who was voted as the National Christian College Athletic Association "Student-Athlete of the Week" for his efforts versus Texas College – has amassed 23 tackles, 5.0 for losses equaling 26 yards. Franklin also tops McM with 3.5 sacks.
 
This will be just the third all-time meeting between Langston and McMurry on the gridiron, with the series all even at 1-1. In 2012 – the last time they squared off – the Lions out-gained the War Hawks in total offense (376-283), but McM won the game, 29-11, in Abilene. LU had four turnovers lost. McM's Desmond Guy - then a freshman - had a 76 yard return of a blocked field goal and Williams (also a freshman then) had a game-leading 12 tackles.
 
The game can be heard live in the Abilene area on KSLI 1280 AM. David Bacon and Max Preston call the action, with the pre-game show beginning at 3:40 p.m.  Fans can also listen live via the web at www.1280KSLI.com, as well.