FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University (6-3, 6-0 SAC), undefeated in Sooner Athletic Conference play, aim to knock off No. 12 Ottawa University Arizona (7-0, 6-0 SAC) and seize sole possession of first place when the teams clash Saturday.
Texas Wesleyan enters on a two-game winning streak, fresh off a 46-12 rout of Oklahoma Panhandle State last week in Goodwell, Oklahoma. The Rams forced four turnovers, including interceptions by Sir Hill and Deylon Rodgers, while holding the Aggies to 224 total yards. Tony Roberson rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns, adding five catches for 85 yards. Ashton Mitchell contributed 36 rushing yards and two scores, and quarterback Cole Francis threw for 223 yards without a turnover.
The Rams have been dominant in conference action, outscoring SAC foes by an average of 29.5 points per game. Their season opened with non-conference setbacks—a 45-10 loss at Lindsey Wilson on Aug. 28, a 61-13 defeat at UT Rio Grande Valley on Sept. 20 and a 28-19 loss at Mary Hardin-Baylor on Oct. 18—but they've rolled since, starting with a 51-14 win at Texas College on Sept. 13. Other conference victories include 37-21 at Nelson on Sept. 27, 38-0 over Arkansas Baptist on Oct. 4, 61-28 against Louisiana Christian on Oct. 11, 44-36 versus Langston on Oct. 25 and the OPSU blowout.
OUAZ, ranked No. 12 in NAIA, boasts a seven-game winning streak and has outscored opponents by 30 points on average. The Spirit's defense has allowed just 6.9 points per game, posting shutouts against Texas College (45-0) and Arkansas Baptist (48-0). Offensively, they've topped 45 points five times, including 56-10 at OPSU and 52-10 at Langston.
Texas Wesleyan owns a 2-4 series record against OUAZ but has won the last two meetings: 36-20 at home in 2023 and 35-33 on the road in 2024. The Rams' defense, which notched nine tackles for loss and two sacks last week, will need to disrupt OUAZ's high-octane attack. Kicker Joya Martinez has been perfect on field goals, going 5-for-5 against OPSU.
A victory would extend Texas Wesleyan's home winning streak to four and position them for a conference title and playoff berth. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
