The ENMU Greyhounds snapped a five game losing streak and by the thin margin of 7-3, spared the state of New Mexico from yet another ghastly gridiron shutout. It shouldn't have come done to the Hounds having to stave off the whitewashing. I would have bet money that UNM would beat UNLV, Western New Mexico seemed like a shoe-in playing at home and NMHU surely had a chance to pull off the upset at #1 ranked CSU-Pueblo.
The Lobos inexplicably layed an egg against the Rebels, NMSU played one half of football, when as everyone know there's two halves in a game. WNMU playing a Black Hills State squad mourning the tragic death of a teammate, stymied its own efforts with some key turnovers. Highlands was knotted up with CSU-Pueblo 17-17 in the fourth quarter, but turnovers shot down their hopes as the Thunderwolves ran off twenty one unanswered points.
Even NMMI, the state's sole football playing Juco was the wrong end of the final score. The home field advantage wasn't enough for the Broncos to overcome nationally ranked (11th. NJCAA) Arizona Western JC, 59-30. All six football playing colleges in the state of New Mexico sport a combined record of 3-15 over the past three weeks, and 24-34 overall for 2012.
ENMU Greyhounds 7 Texas A&M- Commerce Lions 3
Let's head 'em off at Blackwater Draw; After a first quarter drive by TAMU-C sputtered out (they had advanced to Eastern's six yard line at one point) Jacob O'Neil kicked a 23 yard field goal to give TAMU-C their only lead and score of the game 3-0. In the 2nd. quarter, the Lions appeared on their way to another score as they marched on the Hounds. That's when Jayson Serda did what he does so well, he intercepted TAMU-C Qb. Kevin Vye's pass at Eastern's one yard line to stop the Lions cold.
Eastern's offense took over from there and Wesley Wood led the Hounds on their longest drive of the season, 97 yards finishing it off with a three yard touchdown pass to his brother Lane Wood to give ENMU the lead and the win 7-3. Eastern had a chance to add to their lead, but Dylan Baca missed a chip shot 22 yard field goal. The one field goal allowed by ENMU was the fewest points given up by Eastern's defense since a 52-0 win over the Panhandle State Pancakes in 2007.
The 97 yard drive was the longest by the Hounds since a 99 yard drive against East Central Mid-Western Southern Oklahoma, also in 2007 (that ENMU team was a scoring juggernaut) Punters proved to be the most valuable assets for both teams in the second half. Lion punter Cameron Frosch came within inches of having two second half punts downed at the Eastern one yard line and he boomed six punts for 286 yards including a 76 yard effort that pinned the Hounds deep in their end of the field.
ENMU punter Dylan Baca wasn't getting the same kind of hang time but two his of punts were downed at the one yard line and he got enough distance on his punts to effectively throttle the Lion's offensive efforts. TAMU-C after failing miserably to get anything going offensively all game, almost pulled out the victory in the game's final minutes. The Lions started from their own 20 at 2:44, they converted a fourth down and drove all the way to the Hounds 18 yard line. Despite a first and ten, they couldn't punch it in as Vye's fourth down pass fell incomplete.
The Greyhounds improve to 3-6 overall, 2-5 in the Lone Star. TAMU-C fell to 1-8, while losing its seventh consecutive game at Blackwater Draw, dating back to 1995. It was also the Lion's 10th straight road loss going back to 2009. Up next for the Hounds is another TAMU school, this time it's Kingsville. The Javelinas were once known as Texas A&I Univ. The school is often referred to as a "football factory" due to its past success in football.
That reputation was built while the school was a member of the NAIA. Since joining the NCAA Div. II ranks, cottage industry would be a more apt description for the program than football factory. Furthermore since dropping the Texas A&I name (which did not go over well with alumni) TAMU-K has not duplicated the gridiron success of Texas A&I. As a result the flow of TAMU-K players to the NFL has slowed to a trickle.
TAMU-Kingsville holds the Div. II record for most players signed by NFL teams. Forty nine Javelina players have been drafted by the NFL including Hall of Famers, Gene Upshaw & Darrell Green. Former Pro Bowl running back John Randle also matriculated alongside the Hoggies. Javelina Stadium is one of the largest in Div. II, with seating for over 18,000 fans. The Javelinas usually rank near the top in attendance at the Div. II level.
NMHU Cowboys 17 CSU- Pueblo Thunderwolves 31
For a few tantalizing and fleeting moments in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys had the Wolves reeling, momentum was on their side and a share of the conference title was theirs for the taking. That is, until CSU-Pueblo snapped out of a game long funk and changed the course and the outcome of the game. The T-Wolves offense had sputtered throughout the game and a pair of costly turnovers didn't help the cause.
The Cowboys took advantage, clawing back from a 10-3 deficit to go ahead 17-10 half way through the fourth quarter. CSU-Pueblo is ranked #1 in the national AFCA poll, but they didn't play like it.... until they had to. Highlands scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 10-10, on the Thunderwolves ensuing possession, J.B. Mathews fumbled the ball away, The Cowboys took over only to give the ball right back to CSU-Pueblo on the very first play as Emmanuel Lewis was picked off.
The Thunderwolves had a quick three and out, putting the ball once again in the hands of the Cowboys, who wasted little time in scoring, to take the lead 17-10 with just eight minutes remaining. As the old cliche goes, "They're ranked #1 for a reason" With their backs against the wall, the Wolves suddenly turned it on. Qb. Ross Dausin hit J.B. Mathews for a 40 yd. td. pass that pulled them even with the Cowboys. NMHU failed to match that score as they were forced to punt on their next possession.
CSU-Pueblo capped off a game defining, 12 play 85 yd. drive, with the go ahead touchdown delivered by Mathews. The Thunderwolves had a lead they would not relinquish, 24-7. Highlands tried a bit of trickery on 4th and eight on the subsequent possession, but a Kevon Williams pass to Trent Hicks fell incomplete. Aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a personal foul penalty, The T-Wolves tacked on an insurance touchdown on Cameron McDondle's 40 yd. touchdown dash.
Time ran out on the Cowboys hopes for an upset and a share of RMAC crown. Highlands finished the game with 423 yards in total offense. Emmanuel Lewis, completed 29 of 42 passes for 340 yards, 1 td. but he was intercepted four soul crushing times. Lavelle Peterson led the Cowboys in rushing with 33 yards on 10 carries, 1 td. Darius Davis led the Cowboys in receiving with seven catches for 147 yards. Kevon Williams added nine catches for 113 yards and 1 td.
CSU-Pueblo can win the RMAC outright with a win over league bottom feeder Western State in the regular season finale. Western State of Gunnison, Co. has won only one game this season. With the loss, NMHU drops to 7-3 overall, 6-2 in RMAC play. The Pokes can still finish in second place if Chadron St. loses to Colorado Mines and they beat Western New Mexico in the annual "Battle for the Warrior Helmet" season finale.
NMHU closes out the 2012 season against arch rival Western New Mexico. The Mustangs have dominated the series of late, winning three straight "Warrior Helmet" games (4 of the last five) I'm not sure what a warrior helmet is (sounds like a Trojan knock off prophylactic) or why they chose that as the traveling trophy. It's the Mustangs vs. the Cowboys, why not a lasso, spurs or a branding iron instead?
WNMU has dropped three in a row and four of its last five game. The Mustangs somehow have clinched yet another losing season. NMHU is now out of the running for the RMAC title and playing strictly for pride and that ridiculous traveling trophy. It grows as it goes and this season has turned into a full grown disappointment. Keep your warrior helmets handy fellas, looks like we're in for a rough ride.... yeeeehaaw!!
Here's the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings as we enter the final week of the 2012 season.
1. CSU-Pueblo 10-0 8-0 (#1 AFCA poll)
2. Chadron State 8-2 7-1 (#21 AFCA poll)
3. New Mexico Highlands 7-3 6-2
4. Adams St. Univ. 7-3 5-3
5. Colorado Mines Univ. 6-4 4-4
6. Colorado Mesa Univ. 4-6 4-4
7. Western New Mexico 4-6 3-5
8. Black Hills St. Univ. 2-7 2-6
9. Western St. Univ. 1-9 1-7
10. Ft. Lewis College 0-9 0-8
WNMU Mustangs 24 Black Hills State Univ. Yellow Jackets 36
If you traveled as a crow flies, you could probably shave a few miles off the trip. On the ground the distance between Silver City, NM & Spearfish, SD amounts to 1,062 miles, 18 hours... one way. For the Yellow Jackets and the coaching staff it was time spent trying to come to terms with the sudden passing of redshirt freshman Nick Bazemore. He was found dead in his dorm room on Oct. 29th., the day after the Jackets had played host to NMHU.
The circumstances of the young man's death are not for me to speculate on, I'm just a spectator to this tragedy. A game like this suddenly becomes very trivial and secondary to what takes place outside the athletic arena. One would be tempted to question the need to put his coaches and teammates through the process of preparing for the game against WNMU while also mourning the young man.
Deaths such as these always leave more questions unanswered than answered. For the sake of the Black Hills community it's vital to expedite the healing process. Playing the game, was the best way to gain closure and honor the memory of this young man. Though given the duration and length of the journey, one would not have faulted Black Hills State, had they chosen to do otherwise.
For the Mustangs the game followed an all too familiar script of big offensive plays, key turnovers and defensive breakdowns. The Jackets took an early 7-0 lead following a lengthy 15 play, 90 yard drive that resulted in a score. Mitch Glasmann was sacked on a third and fifteen, he fumbled, Black Hills St's Thadd Stottler scooped up the loose ball and ran it for for a Yellow Jacket touchdown.
Glasmann shook it off and on the ensuing possession hit Marquis Sumpter for a picture perfect 71 yd. touchdown pass, cutting the lead in half, 14-7. At the start of the second quarter, WNMU tacked on a field goal to pull within four points, 14-10. Then Black Hills St. playing with a gritty determination that belied their won-loss record, roared down the field and scored on a 49 yard pass play to Jerome Krysl from Ward Anderson.
If Western was waiting for a wake-up call this was it. With the clock winding down, facing a fourth and one, Abraham Macias rumbled for 17 yards. Glasmann took full advantage of the new set of downs with a 19 yard td. strike to Marquis Sumpter. Down 21-17 at the break, the Mustangs had to be feeling like they had dodged a bullet. That wasn't the case, as the second half got under way, WMNU quickly dug itself into a deeper hole.
Western has successfully pulled the end around play where Donald Byrd throws a pass to another receiver before. Against the Jackets, the play was disastrous as Austin Hayes picked off the pass at the Mustangs's 12 yard line. Black Hills St. then galloped 81 yds. down the field, with Anderson again connecting with Krysl for a touchdown, the PAT was no good, giving the Yellow Jackets a seemingly comfy 27-17 lead.
The Mustangs took all the comfort out of it in a hurry as they culminated a drive that started near mid-field with a 1 yd. td. run by Abraham Macias. For the first time in the game, Western was within a field goal. After an exchange of fruitless possessions by both clubs, Black Hills St. extended its lead to 30-24 thanks to a 28 yd. field. The game was decided on Western's next two possessions. A fumble at their own 40 yd. line, gave the ball back to the Yellow Jackets, who were unable to capitalize.
Then for the second time in the game, Mitch Glasmann was sacked and fumbled the football, with Sterling Boyland recovering and returning the fumble eight yards for a touchdown. The Jackets went for a two point conversion and failed, the score stayed at 36-24. And that's where it would stay, the Mustangs had two more chances but were unable to get the ball past mid field on either one.
Mitch Glasmann completed 34 of 54 passes for 330 yds. and 2 td's. he was sacked twice and lost two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns. Western committed four turnovers, while Black Hills St. had none. Three touchdowns off of turnovers, were the difference in the game. Marquis Sumpter caught 11 passes for 158 yards and 2 td's. Abraham Macias led Western's running game with 74 yards on 21 carries, 1 td.
The loss dropped the Mustangs to 4-6 overall and 3-5 in RMAC play. Western will finish with a losing record (for the 5th consecutive season) WNMU continues to search for that elusive winning season, which they haven't had since 1993 (6-4, while still a member of the NAIA) The Mustangs close out the season against arch rival NMHU in Las Vegas, NM. The Warrior Helmet is at stake.
For the Yellow Jackets the long journey home was made easier by the knowledge that they were able to beat the odds and triumph over extreme adversity that went far beyond what they would normally deal with on the playing field.
"I think the biggest thing is our entire team came together, from our coaching staff to our players and kind of rallied around these younger guys that were directly affected," said head coach John Reiners. "Every day we took a new step in what we needed to do, just believing in each other and rallying around each other was huge."
"The way Spearfish is, and the way Black Hills State is, the community, the athletics department, the support we got is immeasurable," said Reiners. "That was probably the biggest thing that I think led our team this week."
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