MONMOUTH, Ore. – Despite an impressive offensive showing that saw Eastern New Mexico rack up 623 yards of total offense, the Greyhounds fell to Western Oregon, 50-35, Saturday afternoon at McArthur Field. ENMU held a 15-point lead in the second quarter and carried a six-point advantage into the final period before the Wolves scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.With the loss, Eastern New Mexico moves to 0-8 overall and 0-6 in Lone Star Conference play, while Western Oregon improves to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in conference action.
The Greyhounds wasted little time establishing their offense, marching 75 yards on nine plays during their opening possession. Quarterback
Clifton Cooper capped off the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run, giving ENMU an early 7-0 advantage. Western Oregon responded with a six-yard rushing touchdown from Tyler Konold to even the score, but the Greyhounds reclaimed the lead late in the opening quarter when
Ryder Lambert broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run, putting Eastern ahead 14-7.
Western Oregon opened the second-quarter scoring with a 78-yard touchdown connection between Jordan McCarty and Jaylen Fite, narrowing the deficit to 14-13 following a missed extra point. Eastern New Mexico answered with an explosive passing attack, as Cooper connected with
Darwin Parker for a 43-yard touchdown to extend the Greyhounds' lead to 21-13.
The Cooper-Parker connection struck again less than two minutes later, this time on a 74-yard touchdown pass that pushed ENMU's advantage to 28-13 with 2:30 remaining before halftime. The Wolves managed to respond before the break, finding the end zone on an 18-yard touchdown pass from McCarty to E'lijiah McChristian, sending the teams into the locker room with Eastern New Mexico leading 28-20.
Western Oregon opened the second half with a 12-play, 62-yard drive that resulted in a 24-yard field goal, cutting the Greyhounds' lead to five. ENMU quickly answered with another 75-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 24-yard touchdown run from
Jose Trevino to extend the advantage to 35-23 midway through the third quarter.
The Wolves responded with a four-yard touchdown run from McCarty, but an unsuccessful two-point conversion kept Eastern New Mexico ahead 35-29 entering the final quarter.Western Oregon took its first lead of the contest with 9:14 remaining in regulation, as Konold capped off a 12-play, 91-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, putting the Wolves ahead 36-35. The Greyhounds were unable to answer on their ensuing possession, and Western Oregon extended its advantage with a six-yard touchdown reception by Emmitt Fee with 3:18 remaining.
The Wolves added their final points just 11 seconds later when Keagan Howard returned an ENMU fumble 21 yards for a touchdown, extending the advantage to 50-35.
Eastern New Mexico made one final offensive push, advancing 79 yards to the Western Oregon 11-yard line, but the drive ended on downs, allowing the Wolves to secure the victory.
Despite the result, the Greyhounds delivered one of their most productive offensive performances of the season, finishing with 623 total yards, including 423 through the air and 200 on the ground. Cooper completed 31 of his 40 passing attempts for 423 yards and two touchdowns while adding 68 rushing yards and a score. Parker led the receiving corps with six catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns, while Trevino contributed 110 all-purpose yards with 55 rushing and 55 receiving yards.
Defensively,
Raheim Ross led Eastern New Mexico with 13 total tackles and two tackles for loss.
Jarrion Patton followed with nine tackles and two pass breakups, while
Matthew Quartieri recorded seven tackles, a sack and an interception.
The Greyhounds will return to Portales next weekend for a Halloween matchup against nationally-ranked Central Washington, with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
