Athletic Report
October 12, 1998

FOOTBALL (6-0, 4-0 LSC, Ranked #11 — NCAA Div. II)
ENMU defensive tackle Nelson Smith (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/U. of Miami) blocked a 30-yard field goal with 1:14 remaining to preserve a 10-7 victory over Angelo State on Oct. 10, in San Angelo, Texas. ENMU remained undefeated (6-0) with the win, and improved to 4-0 in the Lone Star Conference. The Greyhounds are tied for 11th in the NCAA Division II Poll. ASU fell to 2-3, 2-2 LSC.

Eastern scored first on a 4-yard run by tailback Dennis Beard (So., Albuquerque, NM/NM Mil. Institute) with 13:29 remaining in the second quarter. Beard’s TD was set up by an ASU fumble at its own 28-yard line.

The short drive took seven plays, including an 8-yard pass from Bobby Rodriguez (So., QB, St. Teresa, NM/Las Cruces H.S.) to junior wideout Carson Joachim (Richmond, TX/Lamar Consolated H.S.) on 3rd-and-3 at the ASU 21. Beard’s TD run came on 4th-and-1 at the 4-yard line.

Eastern’s next drive began at the 50-yard line, and contained another important 3rd-down pass. Rodriguez hit Beard with a 17-yard throw to the ASU 28-yard line for a 1st-and-10. Four plays later, freshman placekicker Jeff Wareing (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo H.S.) kicked a 44-yard field goal — his longest at ENMU — for a 10-0 lead with 8:01 left in the half.

The ENMU defense contained the ASU attack throughout the first half. The Rams gained just 19 passing yards and 77 total yards during the first two quarters. The Greyhounds were still in front 10-0 at the intermission.

ENMU struggled on offense during the second half, gaining just 62 yards and 3 first downs. Even so, the Greyhounds kept their lead through solid punting and strong defense.

Erick Hernandez (Fr., P, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro H.S.) averaged 41.7 yards on 9 punts. His longest punt of the evening was a 56-yarder for a touch- back with 4:43 left in the game.

Angelo State scored its only touch- down on a 25-yard pass from Brannon Smith to Andy Bandura with 8:19 left in the third quarter. The pass capped a 9-play, 55-yard drive on ASU’s first possession of the second half.

ASU had two more lengthy drives, but the Rams could not reach the end zone. The first drive covered 58-yards in 12 plays. Marc Levens’ 24-yard field goal attempt sailed wide with 10:56 remaining in the game.

The second drive followed the long punt by Hernandez. Starting at their own 20-yard line, the Rams marched 67 yards in 14 plays.

Williams secured the victory for ENMU when he blocked Levens’ field goal try at the end of the drive. Holder Ricky Boehle recovered the blocked kick, but his pass into heavy coverage fell incomplete.

For the game, Angelo State gained 251 total yards, while limiting Eastern to 186 total yards. The Rams committed two turnovers — both in the first half. Eastern had no turnovers.

Individually, the Greyhounds were led by Beard, who gained 68 yards on 17 carries. Joachim topped all receivers with 5 catches (29 yards). ASU’s Smith completed 10 of 28 passes for 129 yards. He also gained 54 yards on 19 carries. Boehle caught 4 passes for 35 yards.

ENMU IS BLOCKING ITS WAY TO SUCCESS
EWhen Eastern’s defense blocked a field goal in the closing moments of a 10-7 win over Angelo State, the play continued an excellent start to the season for the ENMU kick return teams. Not only are the Greyhounds averaging 29.5 yards per kickoff return and 12.5 yards per punt return, they have also blocked 6 kicks this year.

The blocked kicks include 3 punts, 2 field goals, and an extra point. The Greyhounds have blocked at least one kick in 5 consecutive games:

DEFENSE PRESSURES ANGELO STATE OFFENSE
The ENMU defense put pressure on Angelo State throughout its game Oct. 10. Eastern recorded 4 sacks for 24 yards in losses, and defenders hit ASU quarterback Brannon Smith several times as he released the ball. ENMU also limited running back Eric Standley to 22 yards on 8 carries, while holding ASU to 3.0 yards per rush.

Junior linebacker Michael Walton (Earth, TX/Texas Tech) led the way with 13 total tackles, including 2 sacks. Floyd White (Jr., LB, Pampa, TX/Pampa H.S.) added 9 tackles and 1 sack.

UP NEXT FOR THE GREYHOUNDS
The Greyhounds host Tarleton State University (0-6, 0-4 LSC) on Sat., Oct. 17 at 6:00 p.m. MST. The game is only Eastern’s third home game of the season. ENMU has played 4 of its first 6 games on the road.

Tarleton’s 0-6 record is somewhat deceiving. The Texans have played a very challenging schedule, including Stephen F. Austin of NCAA Division I-AA, as well as top Division II teams in New Mexico Highlands, Central Oklahoma, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and West Texas A&M.