FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University football travels to Surprise, Arizona, on Saturday, Nov. 7, to face Ottawa University Arizona in a key Sooner Athletic Conference match-up at Spirit Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain Time (8 p.m. Central).
The Rams enter the contest 5-4 overall and 5-1 in SAC play after defeating Oklahoma Panhandle State University 50-28 in their final home game of the regular season on Oct. 31. Texas Wesleyan will look to carry that momentum into one of its toughest conference tests of the season against an OUAZ team that enters the weekend 7-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play.
With two games remaining in the regular season, Saturday's match-up carries significant importance for the Rams as they look to strengthen their position in the SAC standings and close the year with a strong finish.
RAMS CLOSE HOME SCHEDULE WITH 50-28 WIN
Texas Wesleyan delivered a balanced offensive performance in its 50-28 Senior Day victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State, finishing with 359 total yards, including 235 rushing yards.
The Rams established control early, scoring 36 points in the first half to take a 36-7 lead into the break. Texas Wesleyan added another touchdown in the third quarter before a special teams play helped extend the advantage in the fourth.
Quarterback Tajari Wellington completed 10 of 19 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns while adding 82 rushing yards. Wellington connected with Landrew Ward for a 14-yard touchdown and Makhi Whitney for a 41-yard score in the second quarter.
The running game provided another major contribution. Maurice Griffin rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, including a 25-yard scoring run in the third quarter. Adarius Williams also opened the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run.
Texas Wesleyan's special teams played an important role in the victory. Micario Brackens returned a punt 54 yards for a touchdown, while Kendrick McClodden added a 1-yard rushing score following a blocked punt by Jemari Seals.
The victory gave the Rams another important conference win and extended their momentum heading into the final two games of the regular season.
GRIFFIN AND WELLINGTON LEAD BALANCED OFFENSE
The Rams' offensive success against Oklahoma Panhandle State was built around an effective combination of rushing and passing production.
Griffin led the ground attack with 108 yards and two touchdowns, providing Texas Wesleyan with a consistent presence between the tackles and the ability to generate explosive plays. Wellington added 82 yards on the ground while directing the passing game.
Whitney led the receiving corps with two catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Ward also found the end zone through the air, giving the Rams multiple scoring options in the passing game.
Texas Wesleyan will need that balance against an OUAZ defense that has been particularly effective during conference play. Establishing the run, protecting the football and creating opportunities downfield will be important as the Rams look to sustain drives against the Spirit.
The ability to produce points in multiple ways could be a deciding factor in a match-up between two of the conference's most productive teams.
DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS LOOK TO SET THE TONE
Texas Wesleyan's defensive and special teams units made key contributions in the win over Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Seals recorded a team-high 11 tackles and blocked two punts, helping the Rams create field position and scoring opportunities. The defense also recorded multiple sacks, including a key third-down stop by Brodan Lewis late in the first half.
Jaden Fisher added an interception in the third quarter, which the Rams converted into another touchdown on Griffin's 25-yard run.
The challenge will be significant against an OUAZ team that has demonstrated the ability to produce points while also limiting opposing offenses. The Spirit have recorded three shutouts in their last four games, allowing just seven points during that stretch.
Texas Wesleyan will need to protect the football, limit negative plays and take advantage of scoring opportunities. Defensively, the Rams must be disciplined against an OUAZ offense that has shown the ability to generate substantial production on the ground and through the air.
SPIRIT ENTER SATURDAY UNDEFEATED IN SAC PLAY
Ottawa University Arizona enters Saturday's match-up with a 7-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
After opening the season with a loss to Montana Tech, the Spirit have responded with seven consecutive victories, including a 43-0 road win over Arkansas Baptist College on Oct. 31.
OUAZ has been productive on both sides of the football throughout its conference schedule. The Spirit opened SAC play with a 56-14 victory over Wayland Baptist before defeating Nelson University 31-17 and Oklahoma Panhandle State 40-0.
The offense has continued to produce at a high level, recording 40 or more points in five of its six conference victories. OUAZ also demonstrated its ability to control games defensively, shutting out Oklahoma Panhandle State, Langston, Arizona Christian and Arkansas Baptist.
The Spirit's recent performance makes Saturday's contest a major challenge for Texas Wesleyan. The Rams will need to establish offensive consistency while finding ways to break through a defense that has been difficult for conference opponents to score against.
KEY MATCH-UP: OFFENSIVE BALANCE AGAINST A STINGY DEFENSE
Saturday's game will feature a Texas Wesleyan offense coming off a 50-point performance against an OUAZ defense that has been among the conference's most effective units.
The Rams will look to use Griffin and Wellington to establish the ground game while creating opportunities for Whitney and the receiving corps. Sustaining drives and avoiding turnovers will be especially important against a team that has consistently limited opponents' scoring opportunities.
On the other side, Texas Wesleyan's defense will face an OUAZ offense that has shown the ability to score in bunches. The Rams must limit explosive plays, win at the line of scrimmage and force the Spirit into difficult third-down situations.
Special teams could also play an important role. Seals' two blocked punts against Oklahoma Panhandle State demonstrated the Rams' ability to create momentum-changing plays, and another strong performance in that area could provide a valuable advantage on the road.
FINAL ROAD TESTS APPROACH
Saturday's contest marks the first of two consecutive road games to close the regular season for Texas Wesleyan.
The Rams will look to build on their 5-1 conference record and challenge an OUAZ team that has yet to lose in SAC play. A victory in Surprise would provide Texas Wesleyan with an opportunity to make a statement against one of the conference's top teams before its regular-season finale.
Under head coach Fran Johnson, Texas Wesleyan entered the 2026 season following a 7-5 campaign in 2025, when the Rams shared the SAC championship and advanced to the NAIA Football Championship Series for the second consecutive season.
The Rams were also selected as the conference's preseason favorite after receiving 62 points and seven first-place votes in the SAC coaches' poll.
With the regular season nearing its conclusion, Texas Wesleyan will look to carry its recent offensive production and defensive play into the final stretch of conference competition.
UP NEXT
Following Saturday's match-up in Arizona, Texas Wesleyan will close the 2026 regular season on the road against Wayland Baptist University on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium in Plainview, Texas.
GAME INFORMATION
Match-up: Texas Wesleyan University at Ottawa University Arizona
Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Mountain Time (8 p.m. Central)
Location: Spirit Field, Surprise, Arizona
Records: Texas Wesleyan (5-4, 5-1 SAC); Ottawa University Arizona (7-1, 6-0 SAC)
Last Game: Texas Wesleyan defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State, 50-28, on Oct. 31. OUAZ defeated Arkansas Baptist, 43-0, on Oct. 31.
Next Game: Texas Wesleyan at Wayland Baptist, Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
