Athletic Report
October 28, 2000

GREYHOUNDS USE BIG FIRST HALF TO DEFEAT TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE, 35-7
ENMU Earns Second Win Ever Over Javelinas
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University’s first offensive play in the opening quarter and Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s last offensive play of the first half proved critically important, as ENMU defeated the Javelinas, 35-7, Oct. 28 at Greyhound Stadium. The Lone Star Conference South Division victory improved ENMU to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the LSC South. TAMU-Kingsville dropped to 3-6, 2-2 in the LSC South.

The Greyhounds remain alive in the battle for the LSC South title. ENMU must win its final game of the season at West Texas A&M on Sat., Nov. 4 (1:00 p.m. MST), and Angelo State must lose one of its final three games, for ENMU to clinch at least a tie for the title. ENMU began Saturday’s contest one-half game behind ASU and TAMUK. TAMU-Kingsville received the opening kickoff, but lost the ball on a fumble on its fourth play from scrimmage. Jimmy Hamilton (So., LB, Artesia, NM/N.M. State) recovered for ENMU, giving the Greyhounds possession at the TAMUK 36-yard line.

On ENMU’s first play, quarterback Heath Ridenour (So, Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.) ran an option play to the right side, found room between defenders, and dashed 36 yards to the end zone. Mike Trimble (Jr., PK, Houston, TX/Adams State College) kicked the extra point, and ENMU led, 7-0, just 1:56 into the game.

The Greyhounds extended their lead to 21-0 by the midway point of the second quarter, but TAMU-Kingsville scored on a 46-yard pass from Lamar Amos to Derek Barnes with 4:30 left in the quarter. TAMUK appeared to have momentum when a dropped punt snap gave the Javelinas the ball at the ENMU 36 with 1:22 remaining in the half.

TAMUK eventually earned 1st-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but a false start penalty moved the pigskin back to the ENMU 7. On the next play, with just 2.1 seconds left, Amos threw toward the left flat in the end zone and was intercepted by sophomore cornerback Justin Hibbler (Lubbock, TX/ Estacado H.S.), who returned the pick-off for a touchdown.

The interception was returned 102 yards, but under NCAA rules was officially a 100-yard return, tying the NCAA record. It was the second interception Hibbler has returned for a touchdown at ENMU. He returned an errant pass 34 yards for a touchdown as a freshman in last year’s season opener at Western New Mexico.

Hibbler’s interception return gave ENMU a 28-7 halftime lead. The Greyhounds gained 202 yards over the first two quarters, while limiting TAMU-Kingsville to 134 yards. In addition to the early touchdown by Ridenour and the TD by Hibbler, the Greyhounds also received first-half scores from Dennis Beard (Jr., RB, Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Mil. Inst.) and Cale Sanders (So., WR, Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.).

Beard scored on a 28-yard option play to complete a 13-play, 81-yard drive at the 14:00 mark of the second quarter. James Williams (Jr., Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.), who split time with Ridenour at quarterback, carried the ball for 8 yards before pitching to Beard, who raced down the sideline. Sanders scored with 7:15 left in the half on an 18-yard pass from Williams. Sanders’ touchdown ended a 7-play drive that covered 55 yards.

Both teams struggled on offense in the second half, combining for 6 fumbles (4 lost) and 1 interception. ENMU gained 122 yards in the second half, while TAMU-Kingsville achieved just 41 yards during the final two quarters.

A pair of fumbles preceded the only touchdown of the second half. First, Williams lost control of the ball and Jonathan Heyward recovered for TAMUK at the Javelinas’ own 10-yard line. Two plays later, Amos dropped the ball preparing to pass, and James Stewart (Sr., DE, Anton, TX/N.M. Mil. Inst.) recovered for ENMU at the TAMUK 6. Beard scored on the next play with 8:38 left in the game.

Beard finished the game with 121 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries to lead all rushers. Taryll Boxton (So., RB, Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte H.S.) added 58 yards on 4 carries. Williams completed 4 of 7 passes for 70 yards and 1 TD. Josh Lynn (Sr., TE, Eunice, NM/Eunice H.S.) caught 3 passes for 52 yards for ENMU. The Greyhounds finished with 254 rushing yards (52 carries) and 324 total yards on 61 offensive plays.

Running back Darrell White led TAMU-Kingsville with 19 carries for 40 yards. Amos completed 11 of 27 passes for 173 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Williams Bishop was Kingsville’s top receiver, with 3 catches for 39 yards. TAMUK gained just 8 rushing yards on 26 carries. The Javelinas ended the game with 181 total yards on 53 plays.

Top defensive players for ENMU were Marcus Rivers (Jr., SS, Vallejo, CA/Solano C.C.) and Michael Garvin (Sr., FS, Salinas, CA/Hartnell C.C.), each with 8 total tackles and one tackle for a loss. All 8 of Rivers’ tackles, and 6 by Garvin, were unassisted. John Williams (Sr., DT, Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.) recorded 2 sacks for 11 yards lost. Glenn Jones led the TAMUK defense with 15 total tackles (10 unassisted).

The win was ENMU’s second ever over TAMU-Kingsville. Eastern’s other win was a 34-28 triumph on Nov. 8, 1986. The Javelinas had won 13 consecutive games prior to Saturday. TAMUK now leads the all-time series, 14-2.