PORTALES, N.M. – With a chance to tie the ball game with one minute remaining, New Mexico Highlands fell short as Eastern New Mexico's Colten Madison came up with a game-defining play to aid the Hounds to a 28-26 victory Thursday night.

With Kelley Lee back at the helm of Greyhound football, it comes to no surprise that the run-game was a priority in the game plan.

However, ENMU's defense proved to be the biggest difference maker in the matchup as they forced five three-and-outs in the contest, including a pair to begin the game.

"It was surreal," said head coach Kelley Lee on being back at Greyhound Stadium. "I am proud of the kids with the adversity they faced in the second half."

Eastern New Mexico got the scoring started late in the first quarter as starting quarterback Mario Sanchez called his own number for a five-yard score with 4:34 on the clock. The drive was one of the cleanest for the Greyhounds all afternoon as all seven play calls went for four yards or more, including a pair of passes to sophomore wideout Andre Jones.

The Hounds kept the momentum rolling with another touchdown run from Mario Sanchez. The Denver City, Texas native would not have gotten another score without the biggest play offensively of the evening. Trevion Butler showcased his speed as he dashed his way to a 58-yard play to begin the scoring drive, eventually setting his team up for the short yardage score.

On the following possession, ENMU extended its lead to 21-0. A 14-yard carry by Ja'Calvin Newsom proved to be the shining moment as he found a window between defenders and used his speed to complete the play.

Despite holding onto a 21-0 lead into halftime, New Mexico Highlands was able to claw its way to a one-score game with 4:21 left in the third quarter. A pair of fumbles in the period allowed NMHU to bring the battle to a 21-13 mark after a failed two-point conversion.

However, the offense was able to produce a second half score to maintain the lead. Mario Sanchez found the endzone for the third time on the night as he scrambled off the left side for a 22-yard score. After Kaden Bell drilled his fourth successful PAT (point after), ENMU was looking at closing the contest for good. However, NMHU kept finding ways to stay in the contest.

It must have been a déjà vu quarter as the Hounds fumbled the ball twice in the frame allowing the Cowboys to score twice due to some costly turnovers.

With one minute remaining, ENMU held its in-state rival to a fourth down play at the one-yard line. At this point, the Greyhounds needed just one stop to pull through with a victory as New Mexico Highlands had already used two timeouts previously in the half.

NMHU's quarterback found an open lane on the left side and got his team within two. On the two-point conversion, the Cowboys starting running back glided his way to a score, but a false start penalty on the RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) foe overturned the play and forced an additional attempt.

On the ensuing snap, the quarterback dropped back and looked for his first read – a pass. With that locked up by ENMU's secondary, he decided to take off on the left to try and tie the game. The opposite happened. Colten Madison wrapped up the speedy quarterback and earned his team a win in the first game of 2023.

Eric Williams (12) and Dylan Quartieri (9) led the team in tackles and both contributed a pair of tackles for loss.

In his first game with the Hounds, Trey Cain intercepted a pass on the final play of the first half to keep NMHU scoreless at the time.

Seven different players ran the ball for ENMU and ten Hounds tallied three tackles or more in the contest.

Overall, ENMU improved its record against the Cowboys, 34-13, and extended a four-game winning streak over New Mexico Highlands.

The Hounds continue nonconference action against Sul Ross State Saturday, September 9 on the road in Alpine, Texas.