Athletic Report
April 15, 2000

JAMES WILLIAMS SCORES WITH 0:34 LEFT
AS SILVER EDGES GREEN IN ENMU SPRING GAME
PORTALES, NM — Sophomore quarterback James Williams (Earth, TX/Springlake- Earth H.S.) scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 0:34 left, as the Silver Team slipped past the Green Team, 22-15, in the annual Green vs. Silver Spring Game, April 15 at Greyhound Stadium. The game ended this semester’s spring football practice at Eastern New Mexico University.

Williams scored on a 68-yard run with 3:21 remaining, as the Silver Team took a 14-8 lead. After the Green scored with 1:57 left, and added a two-point conversion for a 15-14 lead, the Silver launched its game-winning drive. The drive covered 65 yards in 5 plays, and culminated with a 3-yard keeper by Williams. He rolled out to his right, then took the ball into the end zone near the sideline.

Neither team scored for the first three quarters. The Green Team controlled the ball during most of the first half -- running 29 offensive plays to just 14 for the Silver Team. The Green Team also held a 127-71 edge in total yards, but was unable to reach the end zone. The Silver Team’s Antoine Lacy (Jr., RB, Richmond, CA/Contra Costa J.C.) opened the scoring on a 1-yard run with 11:36 left in the game.

Mike Trimble, a transfer student from Adams State College who will be a junior next fall, kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead. After the Green gained just four yards on four plays, the Silver took over at it’s own 46 yard line.

The Silver moved the ball to the Green 38, but had to punt with about 6:30 left in the game. Led by freshman quarterback Heath Ridenour (Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.), the Green then drove 87 yards in 7 plays. Ridenour started the drive with a 12-yard pass to freshman running back Dean Jack (Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo H.S.). Ridenour also through an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Cale Sanders (Fr., Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S), and added a keeper for 7 yards, during the drive.

The Green’s big play was a 53-yard touchdown pass from Ridenour to junior tight end Josh Lynn (Eunice, NM/Eunice H.S.). Ridenour added a 2-point conversion run, as the Green moved in front, 8-7.

The Silver took just two plays to regain the lead. Williams rushed for 12 yards on the first play, then scored on his 68-yard carry on the second play. It took the Green just three plays to cover 80 yards to answer the Silver Team’s score. The drive began will a 67-yard pass from Ridenour to Lynn.

Redshirt running back Kofie Powell (Odessa, TX/Permian H.S.) added a 6-yard rush, advancing the ball to the Silver 7-yard line. On the next play, Ridenour dashed toward the end zone, but fumbled at the 1-yard line. Lynn recovered the ball in the end zone for the touchdown (1:57 left).

Redshirt placekicker Steven Todd (Lubbock, TX/Frenship H.S.) kicked the PAT, giving the Green Team a 15-14 lead. The Silver started its decisive drive at its own 36-yard line. Williams gained 34 yards on the first play, then freshman running back Taryll Boxton (Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte H.S.) scampered 25 yards to the Green 6-yard line. Three plays later, Williams scored the game’s final touchdown. Lacy rushed for the two-point conversion, giving the Silver a 22-15 lead. Ridenour drove the Green Team from its own 20 to the Silver 47-yard line, but he was sacked on second-and-10 as the clock expired. The sack was recorded by freshman defensive tackle Michael Connelly (Portales, NM/Portales H.S.) and freshman defensive end Patrick Ficke (Santa Fe, NM/St. Michaels H.S.).

Under the rules of the spring game, Connelly and Ficke needed only to touch the quarterback to earn the sack. Ridenour eluded their tackle, but not before contact was made. Williams led all rushers with 120 yards on 14 carries. He also completed 2 of 3 passes for 77 yards. Boxton added 7 carries for 49 yards for the Silver Team. Dennis Beard (So., RB, Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Military Institute) led the Green Team with 12 carries for 56 yards. Ridenour completed 5 of 13 passes for 172 yards and 1 touchdown. He also gained 25 yards on 6 carries.

The game was officiated by a crew from Lubbock, Texas, which donated its time. Quarters lasted 12 minutes with normal stoppages. Punts and kickoffs were not returned.

During the game, the team captains for next fall were announced. They will be Josh Lynn (TE), James Stewart (DE, Anton, TX/N.M. Military Institute), J. Jensen (C, Houston, TX/Mayde Creek H.S.), Garett Williams (LB, Monahans, TX/Monahans H.S.) and James Williams (QB). All will be seniors in 2000-01, except Jensen and Williams, who will be juniors.

The ENMU spring football awards were also presented. Garett Williams (LB) and J. Jensen (C) received the award for Outstanding Dedication in the Weight Room. Jimmy Hamilton (LB, Fr., Artesia, NM/New Mexico State) was chosen Most Improved Defensive Player, while Josh Lynn (TE) and Deryck Miller (OG/OT, Jr., Peoria, AZ/Glendale C.C.) shared the award for Most Improved Offensive Player.

ENMU, which has finished 8-3 each of the past two seasons, will open its 2000 schedule at home on Saturday, Sept. 2, against Western New Mexico (6:00 p.m. MDT). Last year, ENMU tied for the Lone Star Conference South Division title at 6-3. Head Coach “Bud” Elliott was named LSC South Coach-of-the-Year for the second consecutive season.