Thursday, August 31, 2017
PORTALES, NM — Faced with fourth down-and-13 from the Southwest Baptist 44-yard line, The Greyhounds called timeout. When they returned to the field, quarterback
Wyatt Strand ran 20 yards to set up a 41-yard game-winning field goal from
Bailey Hale, which lifted the Eastern New Mexico University football team (1-0) to a 23-21 victory over #18 Southwest Baptist, Thursday night at Greyhound Field.
The win avenged a loss in last year's season opener and was reminiscent of the Hounds' come-from-behind victory at Midwestern State to close out last season's regular-season finale. Head Coach
Kelley Lee became the first Greyhound coach to win his debut since Harold "Bud" Elliot defeated New Mexico Highlands to open the 1994 season.
Key Plays
- In the third quarter, Southwest Baptist managed to block a Bailey Hale 46-yard field goal, but was called for running into the kicker
- Hale connected on the ensuing 41-yard attempt to give ENMU a 20-14 lead
- Early in the fourth quarter, the Hounds forced SBU to punt ono fourth-and-five, but also were called for running into the kicker
- The Bearcats followed with a pass from wide receiver Kendrick Payne which went for a 35-yard touchdown to Chris Robb, for a 21-20 lead
- SBU recovered a fumble at the Eastern 31-yard line, but missed a 40-yard field goal just four plays later
- After a punt which set up ENMU's game-winning drive, Southwest Baptist was called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties which pushed the Hounds all the way to the SBU 41-yard line
In the Box Score
- · Eastern held a 38:48-21:12 edge in time of possession,
- · The Hounds converted seven-of 18 third downs, and two-of-three fourth downs
- · Strand paced ENMU offensively with 110 yards passing and 63 more rushing, while Kamal Cass ran for 98 yards and a score
- · ENMU's defense held SBU star-quarterback TJ Edwards to 146 yards on a 17-34 performance. The Hounds held Southwest Baptist to six possessions with three or fewer plays
- · Feta Vunipola had nine tackles
- · Desmond Blue and KeAndre Hall each had a sack
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to action next Saturday, when they visit Western New Mexico to open Lone Star Conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for
