PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico football team racked up over 500-yards of offense, but were unable to overcome five turnovers in a 26-16 loss on Homecoming to Tarleton State on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Stadium. The loss snaps a three-game winning streak by Eastern and moves its record to 4-3 on the year and 4-2 in Lone Star Conference play.
 
Senior wide receiver Aaron Johnson picked up a career-high 195 yards through the air on seven catches, including an 80-yard touchdown reception with just under six minutes to play. The 195-yard performance by the Colorado Springs native was among the tops in school history by a Greyhound, coming 11-yards shy of Cale Sanders' program record set in 2001.
 
Freshman quarterback Wyatt Strand went 12-19 for 265 yards with a touchdown, but also tossed three interceptions. Running back Chivaasiay Gallagher picked up 77 yards on 15 carries and a score as the Greyhounds triple-option attack churned out 260 yards on the ground.
 
The defense for Eastern harassed the Texans offense all afternoon, recording five sacks and 11 tackles-for-loss. The unit allowed just 18 rushing yards on 25 carries, limiting Tarleton State to 0.72 yards-per-carry. Desmond Blue and KeAndre Hall each tallied 1.5 sacks while Blue made 2.5 tackles for loss. Todd Countee and Charles Countee led the secondary, each recording an interception.
 
After the Texans took an early lead in the second quarter on a Zed Woerner touchdown pass, Eastern quickly took control, marching 62 yards in 10 plays. Gallagher capped off the touchdown drive with a plunge from two yards out to give the Greyhounds a 7-6 lead.
 
With just over a minute left in the half, Bailey Hale booted a 32-yard field goal to narrow the score to 14-10. Tarleton rattled off 13 unanswered points in the third quarter after Eastern turned the ball over twice on a pair of fumbles.
 
Late in the fourth quarter, the Greyhounds drove the ball the length of the field, going 66 yards down to the TSU nine-yard line. Looking to make it a one-possession game with two minutes to go, Strand threw a jump ball in the corner of the endzone, but was intercepted by Treston Ridge.
 
The Greyhounds return to the field on Saturday, October 22 against Bacone at Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. For all the latest news on Eastern New Mexico athletics, visit GoEasternAthletics.com.