Saturday, December 03, 2016
COPPERAS COVE, TEXAS — Senior wide receiver
Aaron Johnson hauled in five receptions for 90 yards to lead the Eastern New Mexico University football team (7-5) offensively in its second straight appearance in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl. Fort Hays State (8-4) took an early lead and handed the Greyhounds a 45-12 setback, Saturday night at Bulldawg Stadium.
The Tigers moved to 3-3-1 in the all-time series against ENMU, and posted their first win against the Hounds since the 1979 season. Eastern concluded its third seven-win season in the last four years. The game marked Head Coach
Josh Lynn's third appearance in the Heart of Texas Bowl and his second with ENMU.
The Turning Point
- Trailing 14-0, Eastern scored early in the second quarter on a one-yard plunge from Kamal Cass
- FHSU blocked the ensuing extra point and added three touchdowns to take a 35-9 lead into halftime
Beyond the Box Score
- The game marked the third time kicker Bailey Hale connected on multiple field goals this season
- Hale's 45-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was his second longest of the season
In the Numbers
- Running back Paul Terry finished with a season-best 89 yards on just six carries
- The Hounds had six players with at least 24 rushing yards
- Todd Countee finished with 10 tackles
- Desmond Blue made seven stops with 3.5 tackles for a loss
- The Hounds finished with 408 yards of offense, but was hampered by season highs in fumbles (6) and penalties (21 for 226 yards)
The Greyhounds concluded a strong 2016 season which saw them Lone Star Conference wins over Western New Mexico, Angelo State, West Texas A&M, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Oklahoma Panhandle, and Midwestern State.
