PORTALES, N.M. – The final home game for Eastern New Mexico football is here. Before the Greyhounds kickoff Saturday afternoon, please look at the 4th & 1 Preview:

First Down – Last Game Review: Eastern New Mexico traveled down to Alpine, Texas for a contest with Sul Ross State. The Lobos came away with a 33-28 win over the Greyhounds. SRSU outscored ENMU 16-0 in the fourth quarter to walk away with the victory. Eastern outgained the winning side, 484-399, but the effort was not enough to pull away with the contest. The Hounds won the turnover battle, 2-1, including a fumble recovery scoop and score by Samu Vave. Eastern also provided strong pressure defensively with five total sacks. It marked two contests versus the Lobos in 2024 where the Greyhounds have totaled at least five sacks.

Second Down – Carrying Craten: Senior Ron Craten is one of the hottest players in the Lone Star Conference over the last two weeks. In road games versus Western New Mexico and Sul Ross State, he has carried the ball 48 times for 394 yards and four scores. He won LSC offensive player of the week after his 216 yard, three touchdown game versus Western New Mexico. He has 949 rushing yards in 2024, marking himself 51 yards shy of the 1000 yard total. Craten leads the conference with twelve total rushing touchdowns. He has four games with multiple rushing scores.

Third Down – Defensive Minded: Eastern is led by Matthew Quartieri. The Raton, N.M. native has 78 tackles along with nine tackles for loss. He has registered a TFL in eight of nine games this season. Just behind Quartieri is Zerrian Meander who has 52 tackles. The senior defensive back has two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Another player who has provided some strong pressure defensively is Salofi Aumoeualego who has a team-high three quarterback pressures. Five different Greyhounds have an interception this season. Those include Matthew Quartieri, Khiron Green, Micah Lewis, Dylan Gordon, and Uatahouse Tu'ifua. Lewis leads the team with ten pass breakups.

Fourth Down – Senior Saturday: ENMU will recognize nine seniors Saturday afternoon. They are Jack Lacy III, Zerrian Meander, Rashad Carter, Bailey Adair, Jace Martin, James Apsey, Estevan Lowery, Ron Craten, and David Ma'ake. Lacy III currently has 27 tackles over 13 games played. Meander has 133 tackles over 30 contests. Apsey has 57 tackles with 27 appearances. Lowery has 27 tackles in 25 games. Carter has played in ten games for ENMU. Adair has played in 35 games for Eastern. Martin has appeared in 25 games making five career catches. Ma'ake has played in 19 games for ENMU. Craten has played in eight games and is the leader of the nation's second best rushing attack.

&1 – Falcon Football: UT Permian Basin comes into Portales with a 5-4 record, including a 4-3 nod in conference action. The leading rusher for the program is Kory Harris who has 727 yards and five touchdowns. He has not ran for more than 65 yards over the last four contests. Issac Mooring took over the quarterback duties for UTPB in October. The freshman has been impressive throwing 48-of-95 for four passing touchdowns. The road squad has one of the better receiving cores in the Lone Star Conference. Ben Patterson is the electric play maker for the team with 17 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns. The primary target will likely be La'Quan Wells who has 30 catches for 248 yards and three scores. One of the better returners for the team is Jeremiah Cooley who has 29 catches for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Tristan Exline leads the unite with 71 tackles. He adds 4.5 sacks and an interception. Jalani Jefferson will look to halt the ENMU passing attack as he has two interceptions and eight pass breakups on the year.