Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico beat in-state foe New Mexico Highlands, 34-18, to open the 2022 season.
Transfer junior quarterback
Kason Martin made it difficult for the Cowboys defense to keep rhythm as he threw 27-for-34 for 314 yards and three touchdowns.
"The goal for today was going 1-0 and we did that," said Martin. "I'm really proud of the offensive line. It was incredible."
The Greyhounds performance on both ends was the true difference maker as the program only allowed two touchdowns and ENMU was able to tally four touchdowns and a couple field goals.
NMHU looked like they were going to strike first, but a fumble in the red zone proved to haunt their chances at taking the early lead.
Instead, ENMU drove 64 yards and
Cooper Hamilton nailed a 32-yard field goal attempt to push the Greyhounds to a 3-0 advantage through the first fifteen minutes.
Eastern added a touchdown as Martin found
Asa Wondeh for a 44-yard bomb. The Hounds defense looked like they would hold the Cowboys scoreless over the first half, but they added a last second field goal to give ENMU a 10-3 advantage going into the locker room.
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Wondeh finished the night with seven receptions, a whopping 189 yards, and a pair of touchdowns.
New Mexico Highlands equalized the contest after a second-half opening drive led them to the endzone.
With the lights glaring on Sanchez Family Stadium, the Hounds didn't waste any time and pushed ahead, 17-10, thanks to a 26-yard reception from
Bryzai White.
ENMU's defense forced a three-and-out and increased their lead off a 39-yarder from
Cooper Hamilton. The score was a yard shy from a career-high for the second-year kicker.
New Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
Jamison Bisch's squad forced a second three-and-out during the following possession and the offense continued to increase their lead with a seven-play drive capitalized with
Isaiah Tate scoring his first touchdown of the day.
"I thought we did a lot of good things defensively," said head coach
Tye Hiatt. "The defensive staff helped us play fundamental football."
Eastern kept the spark going as they marched 60 yards in three plays to push ahead, 34-10.
The Greyhounds offense was split fairly even as they attempted 32rushing plays compared to 34 passes. ENMU finished with 410 yards and held the Cowboys to 350 yards.
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Martin was not shy with the ball as nine players caught passes from the junior transfer.
NMHU's biggest weapon of the night was CJ Sims who caught 11 passes and finished with 88 yards and a score. Coach Hiatt said he was happy with how his team defended the reigning 2021 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference player of the year.
Khalil Whitaker led the Hounds defense with a team-high ten tackles.
Beau Burns kept pace with his dominating freshman season by opening his second season with the Hounds recording nine tackles. Seniors
Kevin McCracken and
David Sweet finished with one sack apiece.
Greg Thomas caught all five passes thrown his way for 26 yards.
Next up for the Hounds is a conference matchup with defending LSC regular season champ, Midwestern State. The game is set for 6 p.m. at Greyhound Stadium on September 10
th. Tickets are now on sale and fans are encouraged to
purchase today for your chance to see ENMU this fall.
