Serving the High Plains

ENMU falls to Texas A&M-Commerce

COMMERCE, Texas — With a win over No. 12 Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday, Eastern New Mexico stood a great chance to break the top 25 in the AFCA Division II poll.

The Lions, however, wanted no part of that, taking advantage of early miscues to build a 24-3 lead that turned into a 45-27 victory Saturday night.

The Greyhounds seemed primed to hang in with the No. 12 Lions late in the fourth, after taking the early lead on a Tyler Vargas 26-yard field goal followed by a goal-line interception by Vicen'te Walker. But the Greyhounds fumbled away the ensuing drive to set up Carandal Hale's 1-yard touchdown run, and a three-and-out after led to a 55-yard punt return by Dominique Ramsey.

Another special teams miscue cost the Hounds in the second quarter, as Jake Viquez kicked off following his 43-yard field goal and the Lions recovered a fumble on the return. With a 22-yard field, the Lions needed just three plays for Mikio Smalls to find Jeremiah Bridges for a 9-yard touchdown toss to push the early advantage to 24-3.

The Greyhounds had a chance to get back into the ballgame in the third when Charles Countee recovered a Smalls fumble, but the drive stalled and the Lions answered with Smalls finding Chance Cooper for a 73-yard score.

While the Lions were building the early lead, the Greyhounds had a forgettable stretch of negative-6 yards over five consecutive drives.

Walker found the ball again for the Greyhounds in the third, this time on special teams when a 29-yard Vargas field goal attempt was blocked and Walker picked up the loose ball and ran 15 yards to the house.

Smalls found Bridges for a 36-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter, and the Greyhounds only scored two touchdowns to Commerce's one from that point on — Wyatt Strand runs of 3 and 4 yards versus an 18-yard Smalls-to-Cooper connection.

The Greyhounds outgained the Lions 331-325 on the night, including a 283-90 advantage in rushing yards, but went just 5-of-15 in the air while Smalls completed 12-of-14 for 235 yards and four scores.

Paul Terry and Strand both had 100-yard rushing games, with Terry going 24 for 110 and Strand 26 carries for 103 yards.

The Greyhounds are back in action 7 p.m. Saturday with a homecoming matchup against Texas A&M-Kingsville.

 
 
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