September 9, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755
Saturday, September 13
New Mexico Highlands University vs. Eastern New Mexico 6:00 pm
Greyhound Stadium, Blackwater Draw, New Mexico
Jason Swindle Named LSC-South Defensive Player of the Week...for his performance in the Greyhounds 3-0 win over Western New Mexico on Saturday. The senior free safety from Albuquerque recorded six tackles (five solo), two pass breakups and two interceptions. The first interception came in the second quarter, one play after ENMU punted the ball away. The second was late in the fourth quarter, stopping a Western drive in Eastern territory.
The Teams...Eastern and Highlands come into this Saturday's game with 1-0 records. The Greyhounds beat Western New Mexico 3-0 in Bayard, New Mexico, just outside of Silver City. The Cowboys came up with a 34-29 win over Lone Star Conference-South Division member Tarleton State.
The Series...has been around since the beginning of ENMU time. The very first match up between the two schools was in 1934 as Eastern New Mexico Junior College and New Mexico Normal School. The game ended in a 6-6 tie. This will be the 39th meeting of the Greyhounds and Cowboys with ENMU holding the series lead, 27-10-1
1934 - TIE, 6-6
1935 - ENM, 12-6
1936 - NMH, 3-0
1937 - ENM, 1-0 (forfeit)
1940 - ENM, 12-0
1941 - NMH, 13-7
1946 - ENM, 13-7
1947 - ENM, 27-6
1948 - ENM, 13-7
1949 - NMH, 14-6
1950 - ENM, 28-6
1951 - ENM, 33-13
1952 - ENM, 34-7
1953 - ENM, 47-14
1970 - NMH, 23-18
1971 - ENM, 20-18
1972 - ENM, 14-12
1974 - NMH, 10-0
1975 - ENM, 33-7
1976 - ENM, 21-0
1977 - ENM, 22-3
1978 - ENM, 7-6
1979 - ENM, 50-0
1980 - NMH, 18-16
1981 - ENM, 13-7
1982 - NMH, 17-10
1983 - ENM, 27-0
1986 - ENM, 30-23
1987 - ENM, 37-34
1988 - ENM, 30-7
1989 - ENM, 33-9
1990 - ENM, 61-21
1991 - ENM, 36-6
1992 - NMH, 21-9
1993 - NMH, 15-10
1994 - ENM, 27-26
1995 - ENM, 22-9
1996 - NMH, 29-6
Against Western New Mexico...struggled offensively, while the defensive came up with eight WNMU turnovers. The Greyhound defense, led by LSC-South Defensive Player of the Week Jason Swindle and linebacker Michael Walton (So., Earth, Texas), accumulated four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Swindle had two interceptions, while strong safety Tony Cavalier (Jr., Pampa, Texas) had a key 30-yard return with five seconds left in the game and cornerback LaRon Gatlin (So., DeSoto, Texas) had the first pick of the game in his first ever collegiate start. Walton and linebacker Mason Dool (Sr., Temecula, Calif.) each recovered two fumbles, including a 35-yard rumble down the sideline by Walton with 54 seconds left in the first half.
Sophomore fullback Bruce Hatch (Bloomfield) led the rushing attack with 41 yards on 12 carries. The only scoring in the game came at the end of the third quarter when Brian Cocking connected on a 27-yard field goal. Cocking was the leading scorer for the Hounds in the 1996 season.
About New Mexico Highlands (1-0)...the Cowboys have been selected by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference coaches to win the RMAC title in 1997, following an 8-3 finish in 1996. In their opener against Tarleton State, senior running back Conan Smith (San Diego, Calif.) rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. New quarterback Zack Brennan (Jr., Norco, Calif.) was 9 of 27 for 245 yards and three touchdowns in the air. He connected with senior receiver Jamar Nailor (Inglewood, Calif.) for six of those passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was led by senior outside linebacker J.J. Lozoya of Clovis with 9 total tackles.
Grounded Hounds...senior quarterback Andy Cavalier (Pampa, Texas) will still be out for the next 2-4 games following orthoscopic knee surgery in late August. Cavalier has had several knee surgeries throughout his career.
Quotes from Bud...About the Western game - "Our defense played exceptionally well. The kicking game was sound. Our offense did not play up to our expectations."
About Highlands - "They will come in with a very explosive football team. They have a better running game, good passing and a veteran defense. It should be a great football game."
Coaches Awards for WNMU Game...
Leader of the Pack (offense) -- Bruce Hatch, FB, So., Bloomfield
Mean Green (defense) -- Jason Swindle, FS, Sr., Albuquerque
Hungry Hound (special teams) -- Brian Cocking, K/P, Sr., Los Alamos
Hustler -- Brian Weimer, SE, Fr., Clovis; Michael Walton, LB, So., Earth, Texas; Tony
Cavalier, CB, Jr., Pampa, Texas
Pride (scout team) -- Bart Notaro, LB, Sr., Hobbs; Jermaine Shepard, LB, Fr., Houston,
Texas; Spencer Braxton, LB, So., Forest, Va.
The New LSC...the 1997 season begins expanded conference competition with 15 schools competing for the Lone Star Conference title. ENMU will compete in the South Division with Abilene Christian University, Angelo State University, Midwestern State University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University. The Greyhounds were picked sixth in the 1997 LSC-South Division Pre-season Football Poll with 136 points behind Texas A&M-Kingsville (334), Angelo State (274), Texas A&M-Commerce (248), Abilene Christian (210) and Tarleton State (144). They will play each team in the South Division once, with two crossover games thrown in against North Division opponents. ENMU will play Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the 1996 NAIA Division I national champions, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University before jumping into South Division competition. Each division will name a champion with the conference champion being determined on a combined divisional and crossdivisional record.
Hounds on the Airwaves...107.5 KSMX-FM will carry all the Greyhound football games at home and on the road. Don Elder will call the play-by-play as the "Voice of the Greyhounds" for the 1997 season. He will be joined on home broadcasts by Travis Barger. Elder will also host the weekly Coaches Show on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm. The Coaches Show will be a weekly interview with Greyhound Head Football Coach Bud Elliott and special appearances by other ENMU and Portales High School coaches. KSMX is a member of Bergman Broadcasting, Inc.
Pepfest...will take place on Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 pm at the Roosevelt County Courthouse Square. The Pep Rally is being sponsored by the ENMU student government.
Coming Up for the Hounds...ENMU will host 1996 NAIA Division I national champion Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Greyhound Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 6:00 pm.