Silver City, N.M. – Despite a close second half score, the Western New Mexico University football team were unable to push past Fort Lewis College as they fell short, 52-14, in a non-conference play last Saturday.
The Skyhawks dominated in the second half by outscoring the Mustangs 35-0. FLC also controlled many areas in the game against the Mustangs; total offensive yards 450 to 276, rushing yards 217 to 113, passing yards 233 to 163, and first downs 26 to 9.
Individually for WNMU, quarterback Javia Hall threw for 163 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. Tracy McNair led in the rushing game with 106 yards, while Rodney Lawson brought in 56 yards of receiving. Defensively, Leo Marin led in tackles with 12 followed by Dominic Barry with 11.
Early in the first quarter with Western’s offense starting on their own 26 yard line, McNair found a hole in the defense and ran for 66 yards that put them in Fort Lewis territory. Hall finished the drive off with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Ayers that made the score 7-0.
Midway through the first quarter, FLC knotted the score up, 7-7, after capping of a 6 play, 44 yard drive.
The Skyhawks scored early in the second quarter with a 10-yard rushing touchdown that put them in the lead, 14-7, then a 22-yard field goal extended their lead to ten, 17-7.
With 1:47 left in the quarter, WNMU’s offense found some momentum and went to work. McNair rushed for a big 22-yard gain, then Hall completed a few passes that would bring them to the Skyhawks 12-yard line. A touchdown pass from Hall to Ayers for 12-yards cut the deficit to three, 17-14, which would also be the last score of the half.
FLC came out of the half strong as they scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. Two of these scores came from turnovers; one interception and one fumble. The Skyhawks finished the third quarter with the lead, 38-14.
Heading into the fourth quarter, Fort Lewis added another touchdown to the score, 45-14. On the ensuing possession, WNMU put together a decent drive that brought them to FLC’s 30. However, an incomplete pass to Preston Blincoe on fourth-and-eleven ended the drive. The Skyhawks wound go on to score one more touchdown, making the final score, 52-14.
With a 2-6 overall record and 2-4 conference record, the Mustang next challenge will be against Angelo State University this Saturday at home with the game begging at noon.
