Saturday, November 07, 2015

WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS — The Eastern New Mexico University football team (6-4) got off to a quick start in its Lone Star Conference playoff game at 11^th-ranked Midwestern State (9-1) with a 70-yard touchdown run from Kamal Cass. The Mustangs used a number of first half takeaways to stay close and come away with a 26-21 win.

The Greyhound defense was dominant through three quarters of play and limited Midwestern State to four third down conversions in its first 14 attempts. MSU had two red zone opportunities in the opening half, but had to settle for a pair of Andy Alkhazshvily field goals.

After the Mustangs received the opening kickoff, Orlando Haymon rushed for seven yards on the first play of the game. The Hounds allowed just one more yard on that possession and started the ensuing drive at their own 30-yard line. On Eastern's first play from scrimmage, Cass sprinted down the far sideline for a 70-yard score. The Mustangs followed with a 68-yard run by Hagen Hutchinson, but Tim Foley stripped the ball at the ENMU nine-yard line. MSU recovered the ball, but settled for a 26-yard field goal.

The Greyhounds converted a pair of third downs and a fourth down on the ensuing possession to drive 71 yards in 14 plays. Eastern took 7:49 off the clock by the time Cass capped the drive with a 15-yard run. On the sixth play of MSU's next possession, Ibrahim Maiga stepped in front of a Hutchinson pass and returned the interception 18 yards to the ENMU 35-yard line. Midwestern State's Eric Olsen returned the favor and forced a Greyhound fumble, which led to a 62-yard drive. The Mustangs held a first and goal at the ENMU six-yard line, but was limited to a 23-yard field goal to pull within 14-6 early in the second quarter. Midwestern State forced turnovers on the next two ENMU possessions and returned a fumble 63-yards for a touchdown, to pull within 14-13. After an exchange of punts, ENMU took a one-point lead to intermission.

Defenses continued to prevail early in the second half, as each team punted on its first possession. Three plays into Eastern's second possession of the half, ENMU faced a third and nine from its own 28-yard line. Jeremy Buurma found Cass on a 20-yard pass as Eastern converted the first of three third downs on the drive. On fourth and goal from the MSU one-yard line, Cass burst up the middle for his third score of the game.

Early in the fourth quarter, Midwestern State drove 71 yards for its first offensive touchdown of the game, which came on a three-yard run from Don Jerry, to pull within 21-19, after the two-point conversion failed. After a series of punts, which shifted field position in favor of MSU, The Mustangs took over at their own 46-yard line with 2:51 left. The Mustangs converted two third downs and took their first lead of the game, 26-21, on a seven-yard run from Jerry up the middle. The score came with just 1:14 left. A holding penalty set the Hounds up with a first and 20 at its own 29-yard line, and the Midwestern State defense forced four incomplete passes to seal the game.

ENMU held the ball for 35:24 of the game and rushed for 294 yards. Cass posted a career-high 197 yards on 26 carries. With three touchdowns, he registered nine over the last three games. Celento Hairston caught three passes for 24 yards. Five Greyhounds had seven or more tackles, led by Fe'ao Vunipola with 11, while Brad Hardin made 10 stops. Hardin and Denzel Phillip combined on a sack. Maiga had seven tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Hutchinson led the Mustangs with 123 rushing yards and completed 18 passes for 150 yards.

Next Saturday, the Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to Blackwater Draw, to host Angelo State. Kickoff time will be announced, as soon as it is determined.