Athletic Report
September 22, 1998

FOOTBALL (3-0, 1-0 LSC, Ranked #14 NCAA Division II)
Fullback Bruce Hatch (Jr., Bloom-field, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) scored three touchdowns and tailback Dennis Beard (So., Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Military Institute) gained 100 yards on 9 carries, as ENMU opened Lone Star Conference action with a 34-6 win at Southwestern Oklahoma, Sept. 19. The win improved ENMU to 3-0 and helped the Greyhounds earn a #14 ranking in NCAA Division II.

The Greyhounds built an early lead by scoring a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter. Hatch completed ENMU’s first offensive possession of the game by catching a 10-yard TD pass from quarterback Bobby Rodriguez (So., St. Teresa, NM/Las Cruces H.S.). The extra point kick was blocked, but the Greyhounds increased their lead to 14-0 when Hatch dashed 15 yards to the end zone and Rodriguez ran for the extra point with 4:43 left in the period.

ENMU increased its lead to 21-0 on an 80-yard interception return by senior free safety Tony Cavalier (Pampa, TX/Pittsburg State). Place-kicker Jeff Wareing (Fr., Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo H.S.) kicked the extra point.

Beard gave ENMU a 28-0 advantage with 4:38 remaining in the half, when he scampered 89 yards for a touchdown. Beard’s run was just 3 yards short of the ENMU record.

SW Oklahoma finally put points on the scoreboard a minute and a half later on a 46-yard run by Malcolm Mathis. Defensive tackle Nelson Smith (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/U. of Miami), blocked the extra point attempt.

Neither team scored during the third quarter, but the Greyhounds achieved another touchdown in the final period. Hatch concluded his successful evening by scoring on an 8-yard run with 11:57 left. SW Oklahoma blocked the PAT.

On offense, ENMU achieved 354 total yards. The Greyhounds earned 16 first downs and rushed for 258 yards on 44 carries.

Hatch finished the game with 82 yards on 10 carries and trailed only Beard in rushing offense. Rodriguez added 51 yards on 14 carries, and completed 7 of 16 passes for 82 yards and 1 touchdown. He threw his first interceptions of the season (2), ending a string of 47 consecutive passes without an interception.

SW Oklahoma was limited to 130 rushing yards on 36 carries, as Mathis led the Bulldogs with 64 yards on 10 rushes. Christian Stillings completed just 5 of 26 passes (0 of 6 in the second half) for 66 yards and 2 interceptions.

ENMU’s Brian Weimer (So., Clovis, NM/Clovis H.S.) led all receivers with 4 catches for 45 yards. Charwick Reed caught 2 passes for 21 yards for SWOSU.

In addition scoring 34 points, the Greyhounds also had a solid night on defense. Linebacker Michael Walton (Jr., Earth, TX/Texas Tech) earned 11 tackles and 6 assists (17 total tackles), including 2 tackles for losses. He was named LSC South Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week.

Cavalier added 5 tackles to go with his 80-yard interception return. Strong safety Danny Cummings (Sr., Raton, NM/Raton H.S.) recorded 2 quarterback sacks (21 yards), while providing 6 total tackles. Chris Mathis (Sr., Cuero, TX/Cisco J.C.) intercepted a pass in the end zone — his 3rd interception this year.

MICHAEL WALTON NAMED LSC SOUTH DIVISION
DEFENSIVE PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK
ENMU junior middle linebacker Michael Walton (5’10”, 205 lbs., Earth, TX/Texas Tech) has been named Lone Star Conference South Division Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his efforts in the Greyhounds’ 34-6 victory at Southwestern Oklahoma, Sept. 19.

Walton led the ENMU defense with 11 solo tackles and 6 assists for 17 total tackles. He recorded 2 tackles for 4 yards in losses. For the season, Walton is tied for first place in the LSC with 38 total tackles. Last year, he earned 155 tackles to lead the Conference. He was named Third Team All-America by Football Gazette.

GREYHOUNDS RANK 2ND IN NCAA DIVISION II
IN PASSING EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
Eastern New Mexico is ranked 2nd in NCAA Division II in passing efficiency defense, with a ratings score of 49.1. The Greyhounds trail only Bowie State (37.0). Eastern’s opponents have completed just 33.7% of their passes (27 of 80) for 265 yards, while averaging just 88.3 passing yards per game. ENMU is ranked in 7 team categories on the national statistics.

HOMECOMING AND SELLOUT '98
The Greyhounds play their Homecoming game this Saturday (Sept. 26) against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Kickoff at Greyhound Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. (MST). The game is also SELLOUT ’98, as ENMU hopes to play in front of its first ever sellout crowd at home.