Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Darryl Wiggins takes the handoff 32 yards down the sideline for a touchdown in the second quarter of Eastern New Mexico's 48-34 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville.
PORTALES - Eastern New Mexico ran all night, save for a lengthy weather delay, and claimed their first Lone Star Conference victory of the season.
Senior quarterback Wyatt Strand had 195 yards rushing and two touchdowns, part of a 515-yard rushing effort as Eastern New Mexico outlasted Texas A&M-Kingsville 48-34 to improve to 3-1 on the season and 1-1 in LSC play.
In total, the Greyhounds had two 100-yard rushers, with Paul Terry going for 179 yards on 26 carries. Johnny Smith was near the century mark himself with 10 carries for 87 yards.
The action was delayed nearly 90 minutes due to a lightning delay that went into effect just after the Greyhounds took a touchback on the second-half kickoff.
Strand scored on runs of 11 yards in the first quarter and 19 midway through the third, and found Zachery Fields for the go-ahead score on a 10-yard pass with 9:11 left.
Terry added the insurance touchdown on a 38-yard rush with 5:35 to play.
The visiting Javelinas kept things interesting in the first half, getting a 5-yard rushing touchdown from Kris Barnes and a 6-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter on a drive aided by four Greyhound penalties, and then took a lead in the third quarter on two quick Donte Ross touchdowns. Ross scored on a 27-yard pass from Cade Dyal early in the third quarter to give Kingsville its first lead, then less than two minutes laer returned a punt 48 yards to the house.
Wiggins scored on touchdowns of 32 yards in the second off a Strand pitch and a 13-yarder with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
The Greyhounds outgained the Javelinas 564-363, but saw plenty of drives stall with just two conversions on 10 third downs. Eastern New Mexico did, however, take advantage of four Kingsville turnovers -- two Dyal interceptions and a pair of lost fumbles -- that turned into 17 points.
Dyal completed 16 of 26 passes for 269 yards and the score to Ross, who had eight catches for 151yards to lead the Javelina offense.
The Greyhounds travel to face Midwestern State Saturday. The Mustangs, ranked No. 14 in Division II, are coming off a 28-6 upset courtesy of Angelo State.
