Saturday, October 08, 2016
ODESSA, TEXAS — A fumble forced by
KeAndre Hall and recovered by
Cory Harris at the two-yard line highlighted an outstanding performance by the defense of the Eastern New Mexico University football team (4-2; LSC 4-1). That performance paired with 365 yards of total offense with three touchdowns from quarterback
Wyatt Strand, led the Greyhounds to a 34-3 win over University of Texas of the Permian Basin (2-4; LSC 0-4) in Lone Star Conference action, Saturday at Ratliff Stadium.
The Greyhound defense dominated the first half of play and held the Falcons to just two first downs and one third down conversion on six tries. As a result, ENMU held the ball for 21:41 of the opening 30 minutes. Eastern struck first, when
Tayshaun Gary found the end zone on a nine-yard run to cap an 81-play drive with 6:28 left in the first quarter,
Early in the second quarter, UTPB scored on a 36-yard field goal from Bailey Giffin. The Hounds responded with a career-best 47-yard field goal from
Bailey Hale with 19 seconds on the clock, to take a 10-3 lead into the locker room. Eastern held a 206-57 yard edge in total offense over the first half.
A 45-yard pass play top open the second half followed by a penalty set the Falcons up with a first-and-goal at the Greyhound 10-yard line. Two plays later, Hall hit Brandon Infiesto in the backfield to force a fumble, which Harris recovered at the ENMU two-yard line. After an exchange of punts, Strand hit
Johnny Smith with a 46-yard pass, before running the ball into the end zone on an eight-yard keeper. Strand added another six-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.
For the Books
- The Hounds allowed just 208 yards of offense the lowest total the team allowed against an NCAA Division II opponent since Sept 13, 2014 against Adams State (186) and the fewest allowed in by the Hounds in LSC play since Oct 26 against Texas A&M-Kingsville (203)
- Strand's 260 passing yards were the most by a Greyhound since Jeremy Buurma three for 276 at New Mexico Highlands on Sep 6, 2014
- The last time ENMU held an opponent without a touchdown came on Oct 4, 2014 at Texas A&M-Kingsville
- Strand also was the first Greyhound quarterback to rush for three touchdowns in a game since Buurma at Tarleton State, last season
- Strand's performance marked the first time an ENMU quarterback ran for 100 yards and passed for 200 yards since at least the 1998 season
- Aaron Johnson's 139 receiving yards were his most since a 146-yard game against Arkansas Tech at last season's C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl
- Eastern's defense has recovered a fumble in three straight games and in five of the season's six games
In the Box Score
- Harris had a huge game for the defense, with two sacks and a fumble recovery
- Chivasiay Gallagher rushed for 69 yards
- Hale went two-for-three on field goal attempts with 47 and 40-yard field goals
- The Greyhound defense came up with four sacks
- Quarterback Kameron Mathis passed for 147 yards for UTPB
- Chris Hoad paced the Falcons with 18 tackles
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to action on Saturday, October 15, to host Tarleton State. Kickoff for the Homecoming game is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT.
