Silver City, NM- Senior Day took place last Saturday for the Western New Mexico University football team as they faced Chadron State College. The game looked in favor for WNMU as they scored the first 13 points of the game, but CSC answered the next 31 points to make the final score 31-13.
Defense for the Mustangs (3-7, 2-6 RMAC) was key in the first few minutes of the first quarter. On the first opening drive for the Eagles (5-5, 4-4 RMAC), quarterback Matt Vinson threw a pick and fell in the hands of Mustang’s Avery Crump. WNMU’s offense took advantage of the turnover as they marched 26-yards and scored of a Marques Rodgers 6-yard run. After a missed field goal attempt, Mustangs were on top 6-0. Three plays later for CSC on their next drive did not start off as well as the last. After a Vinson pass to wider receiver Max Gray, WNMU’s Shiane Tupua would force a fumble and would be recovered by Crump. With momentum at the Mustangs side, they would take the ball 25-yards and score on Mitch Glassman 14-yard touchdown pass to I. Ortega-Dage to make a quick lead, 13-0.
After back-to-back punts for both sides, Vinson ignited CSC by throwing 5 for 5 on 74-yard drive and score on a 7-yard touchdown pass putting their first points on the board 13-7.
With 7:19 left in the second quarter, Eagles captured their first lead of the game. The drive first started at WNMU’s 44 that took them 7 plays and score off a 9-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-13. Mustangs had trouble moving the ball as Mustangs quarterback Glassman came out of the game with an injury. CSC tacked on a field goal that gave them the lead at the half 17-13.
Starting the third quarter, both teams started off slow by having back-to-back three-and-outs. The longest drive off the quarter came from WNMU as Rodgers came out strong by running for a fourteen yard run and twenty-two yard pass from back-up quarterback Michael Ball that took them to CSC’s 34. Mustangs took a risk by passing the ball on a fourth down and unfortunately, Rodgers was stopped short of the first down. No teams were able to score in the third quarter which kept the score 17-13.
Early in the fourth quarter, Mustangs kept the Eagles on their heels as Ball threw the ball down field to Larry Young II who was guarded by a couple of Eagle defenders. Young jumped over them to make a spectacular 41-yard catch. CSC would hold their own as they forced WNMU to punt for a touchback. The next ensuing drive, Eagles offense caught fire by driving 80-yards in 14 plays. They would finish the drive thanks to Derek Jackson’s 1-yard touchdown run and would increase their lead to 24-13 with 5:45 left in the game.
Western could not answer back as they went scoreless in the final quarter. After a failed 4th down conversion by WNMU, CSC had great field position by starting at WNMU’s 1 yard line. With 1:26 left in the quarter, Eagles Robert Jackson’s 1-yard run put the last points up on the scoreboard to end the game and to make the final score 31-13.
Even though WNMU lead in passing yards (215-191) CSC dominated WNMU in first downs (19-11) and total offensive yards (363-271).
Leading the way in rushing for WNMU was Rodgers with 71-yards total and earning himself a touchdown, while passing Glassman threw for a total of 76-yards and one throwing touchdown pass until leaving the game. Michael Ball stepped in with 139-yards of total passing yards. Xavier Ayers carried the team in receiving yards with a total of 89-yards and defensively for Mustangs, Dominic Barry led the team with 13 total tackles.
Chadron State’s Vinson threw for 191-yards total with 2 touchdowns. Kevin Coy ran for a total of 108-yards and wide receiver Zac Bargen caught the ball for a total of 48-yards receiving with one touchdown.
WNMU will end the 2015 season when facing Black Hills State University away this Saturday at 12 p.m.
