PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico football lost a close matchup with University of Texas Permian Basin Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Stadium, 24-21.
"I am proud of the effort given by our young men," said head coach
Tye Hiatt. "We have shown flashes of being a consistent football team, but we have a lot of work to do this next week."
The Greyhounds started the game with the ball and converted an early third and long on a 14-yard reception by
Asa Wondeh, but the Falcons held tight on defense and forced an early punt.
On its first drive, UTPB looked like they had the game plan scripted with all lines memorized. After a failed trick play to begin the series, Taj Crenshaw broke away for an 18-yard scamper and on the next snap the quarterback Dylan Graham hit one of the conference's best receivers MJ Link for a 54-yard score.
The Falcons missed the extra point attempt to take a 6-0 lead.
ENMU began establishing the rushing attack on the ensuing drive with
Isaiah Tate runs of 1, 5, 12, and 0 yards and two first downs. However, the visitors did not allow any further breathing room near midfield and forced another punt.
Eastern got the ball for the fourth time with 3:40 remaining in the opening frame and got to business early with a 25-yard reception from
Bryzai White. The drive did not see a single third down opportunity as the Hounds moved the ball down the field with ease and it culminated in an 18-yard pass from
Kason Martin to
Greg Thomas for a score.
Cooper Hamilton hit the extra point and ENMU took a 7-6 lead into the next quarter.
Two drives later, the Hounds had another impressive drive that saw a 24-yard catch from
Brenden Strickland and a 38-rush up the middle and a simple cutback from
Howard Russell to give Eastern a 14-6 lead.
On the following series, UTPB converted a fourth and short culminating in a 26-yard field goal from Michael Mayfield. Mayfield missed two attempts in the second quarter.
The Falcons got the ball back with 1:09 and took the next minute managing the clock and finding the end zone to get the 16-14 lead going to the halftime break.
ENMU did not let the visitors hold onto the lead for long as Martin took advantage of optimal field position and connected with White for a 34-yard score to get the 21-16 advantage.
Late in the third quarter Hamilton missed a 51-yard attempt and UTPB got the ball to begin the fourth.
The Falcons earned three straight first downs and a 12-yard pass to MJ Link gave them the 24-21 lead.
ENMU's best chance to answer back came two drives later off an interception from
Cameron Santa Cruz, which set up the Hounds at UTPB's 37-yard line.
After two first down conversions, with a chance to tie the game, Hamilton's kick from 38-yards missed just right.
UTPB went on to take the close victory in a game that saw both teams trade advantages at several points.
"The Wagon Wheel is one of the biggest games of the year and we need to get back to work to ensure we can play our best football next weekend in Canyon," said Hiatt.
The Greyhounds hit the road next Saturday for the annual Wagon Wheel Game at West Texas A&M. An ENMU alumni tailgate will happen courtesy of the ENMU Alumni Association.
