Silver City, N.M. – Four forced turnovers and 337 passing yards helped the Western New Mexico University football team surge past Angelo State University for a 20-14 win last Saturday.
With this win, the Mustangs snap their four game losing streak. They currently hold a 3-6 overall record and a 3-4 Lone Star Conference record.
ASU outgained WNMU in the running game 176 to 8, but fell short in passing yards 337 to 100 and total offensive yards 345 to 276.
The Mustangs defense stepped up in the first quarter as they forced the Rams to a quick three-and-out in the opening drive. After a 25-yard punt, WNMU took advantage of the field position and took the ball down field to ASU’s 19. Capping off the drive was quarterback Javia Hall who found Henry Norman open for a 19-yard passing touchdown, putting the Mustangs in the lead, 7-0.
On the next possession, ASU did not have the ball for long as WNMU’s Alfonso Wilson jumped in for an interception and took the ball to ASU’s 29. Even though the Mustangs could not find the end zone, a Tyler Vargas 25-yard field goal put three points on the board to extend their lead, 10-0.
From then on it was punt after punt with both teams unable to find a spark offensively. WNMU went into halftime in front, 10-0.
The Rams jumped on the board early in the third quarter with a touchdown after finishing off a 9 play, 75-yard drive, cutting their deficit to three, 10-7.
Both teams exchanged a couple of punts, but the Mustangs finally found some momentum offensively when Hall completed a 64-yard pass to Rodney Lawson that brought them to ASU’s 21. WNMU capped the drive off with another Henry catching touchdown from Hall for 12 yards, increasing their lead, 17-7.
ASU responded quickly on the following drive after returning the kickoff for 68 yards taking the ball to the WNMU 27. The Rams would eventually go on to score after completing a 5-yard touchdown pass, making the score 17-14.
In the fourth quarter, WNMU’s offense pushed the ball passed midfield into ASU territory. Now on the Ram’s 13, the Mustang’s drive was stopped short after failing to convert on a third-and-three. Tyler Vargas knocked in a 30-yard field, extending the Mustangs lead to six, 20-14.
The Mustangs defense took control over the game from then on. With 8:17 left to play, an ASU throw was intercepted by WNMU’s Ian Davis. Then on the next Ram’s offensive possession, they encountered a fourth-and-one. A run to the outside was stopped by a Mustangs defensive wall.
Angelo State had one more chance to score with 1:13 left to play. They would take the ball to their own 46 yard line, but this was close as they came as Davis again stepped in for an interception. This would be the last play of the game as WNMU went on to win the game, 20-14.
For the Mustangs, Hall completed 31 of 57 passes and threw for 337 yards, including two passing touchdowns. Lawson led the team in receiving with 136 yards. Next in line was Norman with 69 yards, who also brought in two touchdowns. Leading in tackles was Dominic Barry with eleven, followed by Aaron Leauma with eight.
“Any win is always great. It’s hard this late in the season”, said Head Coach Adam Clark. “Your 3-6 with so many close games, but I keep challenging [our teams] character and how capable they are as a player and a team. They came out here and fought like a nail.”
WNMU will be on the road this Saturday as they matchup against Texas A&M-Kingsville with the game beginning at 7 p.m. Central Time.
