Saturday, September 23, 2017

Portales, NM — Saturday night's Lone Star Conference game at Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium had a little of everything. A quick start by the Eastern New Mexico University football team (3-1; LSC 2-1), a lightning delay, a rally by Angelo State (2-2; LSC 0-2), and heavy winds. Senior running back Kamal Cass contributed a season-high 182-yard effort with one touchdown as Eastern held on for a 31-21 win. The contest was sponsored by Bank of Clovis.
 
In the Series

• The win was ENMU's fourth in the last six meetings with the Rams
• The Hounds are 1-0 against Angelo State at Al Whitehead Field
• ENMU is now 17-24-1 against ASU

 
The Key Plays

• Bailey Hale accounted for Eastern's only score of the seconf half with a 28-yard field goal to give the Hounds a 10-point lead with 3:44 left
• Tayshaun Gary provided the game's first score, with a 13-yard run on ENMU's first possession
• Eastern scored on the first play of its third possession, when Russell Montoya fired a 55-yard pass to Johnny Smith
• D'Maujeric Tucker's five-yard run gave ENMU a 21-0 lead
• After a one-hour rain delay, Josh Steven's 42-yard run got Angelo State on the board
• ENMU responded with a 57-yard touchdown run from Cass, his longest run since last season against Midwestern State
• The Rams scored to close the half and added nine points in the third quarter to close within 28-21

 
In the Numbers

• Each team turned the ball over twice, but the Hounds held a 7-3 edge in points off turnovers
• Eastern dominated time of possession and held the ball 42:04
• ENMU converted 10 of 21 third downs, and allowed ASU to convert 4 of 15
• Tucker rushed for 42 yards
• Eastern's defense broke up nine passes and had eight tackles for a loss
• Dante Urrea, Brad Hardin and Fe'ao Vunipola each had six tackles
• Urrea and Ka'ena Pakai each recovered a fumble

Beyond the Box Score

• The win gave the Hounds at least three wins in their first four for the first time since the 2007 season
• Hale is now six-for-seven on field goals this season
• Cass posted his second straight 100-yard game

 
Up Next

• Next Saturday, the Eastern New Mexico University football team will visit West Texas A&M for the annual Wagon Wheel Game
• Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. MT