October 31st, 2009. Las Vegas, NM. -The NMHU Cowboys rode a huge fourth quarter surge to come out on top over the visiting Fort Lewis Skyhawks. The Cowboys scored 21 points in the fourth quarter for the come from behind win and their first win of the 2009 season. The Cowboys ended the day with 438 total yards and a season high 39 points. The Cowboys are now 1-9 on the season and 1-7 in RMAC play.
The Cowboys got on the board first with a 26 yard field goal by Luis Marin to make it 3-0 after a lengthy nine minute 15 play 62 yard drive. The Skyhawks would then score 21 unanswered points to make it 21-3 in the second quarter. The Cowboys would mount one last drive before the end of the half and come out with a score after a 13 yard Robert Grant touchdown run to make the score 21-10.
In the second half the Skyhawks offense took the opening kickoff down the field for a 16 play 85 yard drive for a touchdown. That made the score 28-10 Skyhawks. The Cowboys would answer back with a four yard Brandon Torres touchdown run to make cut down the Skyhawks lead 28-18. The Cowboys would then hold the Skyhawks scoreless on their next drive as the Skyhawk place kicker would miss a 31 yard field goal wide left. The Cowboys would take that opportunity to mount another scoring drive as they took the ball down the field on a nine play 80 yard drive. The drive was capped off by a 17 yard Robert Grant touchdown run to make the score 28-25 Skyhawks still leading. The Skyhawks would score on their next possession to increase their lead 35-25. The Cowboys would then score again after an 11 play 83 yard drive that was capped off by another Brandon Torres touchdown run to cut the Skyhawks lead down to three 35-32. The Cowboys would then stop another Skyhawk drive and get the ball back with 1:08 left on the game clock. Narciso Diaz would then lead the Cowboys on a game winning drive with 28 yard connection to Daniel Valdez to put the Cowboys at the Fort Lewis 10 yard line with 32 seconds remaining. Diaz would then cap off the drive with a 17 yard connection with Travis Lee for the game winning touchdown to make it 39-35. The Cowboys would recover a Skyhawk fumble to end the game in “victory” formation and seal their first victory of the season.
The Skyhawks had a very offensive day, putting up 466 yards of total offense and getting touchdowns from Sam Apraku (2), Tim Jenkins (2) and Phillip Dodd (1). Jenkins went 30-46 with 296 yards passing and 89 yards rushing. Sam Apraku rushed for 14 yards and had 46 yards receiving. Justin Johnson had 9 catches for 83 yards Phillip Dodd recorded 3 catches for 70 yards. Nick Becker led the defense with 10 tackles and one sack for a loss of four yards. Sam Loeblein tallied six tackles with one sack for a loss of 9 yards.
Offensive leaders for the Cowboys include: Robert Grant, Narciso Diaz and Travis Lee. Grant finished the day with 12 rushes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Diaz finished another great day for the Cowboys completing 27 of 46 attempts for 359 yards and one touchdown. Lee finished the day with seven catches for 113 yards and the game winning touchdown for the Cowboys. The Cowboys finished the day with 438 yards of total offense (79 yards rushing and 359 yards passing).
The Skyhawks fall to 1-9 overall and 0-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and will play their remaining game of the season at home on Saturday, November 7th at 1:00PM for Senior Day against Western New Mexico.
Story Written By: Gavino Archuleta (SID @ NMHU) & Ben Martinez (SID @ FLC)
