Cowboys Edged Out by Western State 21-19
The NMHU Cowboys were edged out by the Mountaineers of Western State College on 9/19 as the Mountaineers won by a final score of 21-19. The Cowboys managed to move the ball well outgaining the Mountaineers in total offense 366 yards to Westerns 336 yards of total offense. The Cowboys have steadily improved over the past couple of weeks and look to right the ship in the coming weeks. The Cowboys will be in action again on 9/26 when the play host to the Grizzlies of Adams State College for NMHU’s Homecoming game.
The Cowboys moved the ball well in their opening drive as red shirt freshman quarterback Jordan Mendoza (6’3”; 195; Clovis, N.M.) led the Cowboys down the field for an opening 65 yard drive. The drive would end on a sour note as NMHU running back Robert Grant (6’0”; 170; Soph.; Tucson, Ariz.) would fumble at the WSC 13 yard line to end the Cowboys opening drive. The Cowboys would not let the Mountaineers turn that fumble into points as they held the Mountaineers scoreless until the second quarter of play. The Mountaineer quarterback, Tyler Daniels connected with WSC receiver Sean Suttorp for the first score of the game. The Cowboys went into the half trailing 7-0.
In the second half the Mountaineers came out firing as they scored on their first possession to take a 14-0 lead over the Cowboys. Then the Cowboys defense made a statement by causing a turnover of their own as Thomas Raiola (6’0”; 230; Sr.; Greeley, Colo.) forced a Mountaineer fumble and the Cowboys found themselves in great field position on the WSC 23 yard line. Mendoza would connect with receiver Justin Gallegos (6’1”; 175; Sr.; Las Vegas, N.M.) on a seven yard touchdown pass for the Cowboys first score of the game. The Cowboys would strike again in the third quarter with a 17 yard TD pass from Mendoza to Grant to make the score 14-13. The Mountaineers special teams then made some noise of their own as they blocked the NMHU point after try to maintain the WSC lead at 14-13. In the fourth quarter after a personal foul penalty by the Cowboys the Mountaineers would go in for a quick score to further their lead 21-13. The Cowboys then took over the fourth quarter with a 13 play 80 yard scoring drive as Mendoza hooked up with Kevon Williams (6’0”; 180; Fr.; Houston, Texas) for a 13 yard scoring pass to make the score 21-19 and then the Cowboys went for the two point conversion to tie up the game. The Cowboys went with the biggest weapon in their arsenal. Wallace LeBrane (5’11”; 245; Jr.; San Francisco, Calif.) lined up as the fullback and lowered his head into the pile and just couldn’t get in as the Mountaineers stood strong to hold the big Cowboy fullback out of the end zone to clinch the win by a final score of 21-19.
Jordan Mendoza was the leading offensive player for the Cowboys. Mendoza completed 23 of 38 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns on the day. Defensively for the Cowboys Julian Dupree (6’0”; 180; R-Fr.; Las Vegas, Nev.) led the way with six tackles on the day and one pass break up.
The Cowboys will be in action again on 9/26 when the play host to the Grizzlies of Adams State College for NMHU’s Homecoming game. Kick-Off is set for 6:00pm. If you can’t make the trip to Las Vegas you can watch your Cowboys live on the B2 Networks.
Click HERE for more information on how you can watch NMHU Athletics on the B2 Networks.
NMHU vs. WSC Box Score
GO COWBOYS!!!