Athletic Report
September 16, 2000

MIDWESTERN STATE DEFEATS ENMU, 33-16
PORTALES, NM — Midwestern State University built a 20-3 lead in the first quarter, on its way to a 33-16 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in a Lone Star Conference crossover game, Sept. 16 at Greyhound Stadium. With the win, MSU improved to 2-1 on the season, while ENMU dropped to 1-2.

LSC crossover games do not count in the division standings, but do count toward the overall LSC championship. MSU is 2-0 in crossover games. ENMU is 0-1.

The Greyhounds put points on the scoreboard first, as place-kicker Mike Trimble (Jr., Houston, TX/Adams State College) kicked a 37-yard field goal with 11:47 left in the first quarter. Trimble’s field goal was set-up by a fumble by MSU quarterback Brock Bailey, who was sacked by James Stewart (Sr., DE, Anton, TX/N.M. Mil. Inst.) on the Indians’ first play.

Midwestern State took a 7-3 lead just over two minutes later, when running back Dominic Rhodes scored on an 8-yard run. The Indians drove 76 yards in 6 plays, with a 45-yard pass from Bailey to Tonnell Williams providing the big play of the drive.

After a 50-yard punt by Steven Todd (Fr., P, Lubbock, TX/Frenship H.S.) of ENMU placed MSU at its own 12-yard line, the Indians drove 88 yards in 7 plays to take a 14-3 lead. Bailey completed a 36-yard pass during the drive, and ENMU was called for pass interference on another play. Rhodes scored on a 3-yard run with 3:28 left in the opening quarter.

Following the kickoff, ENMU had the ball for just two plays. A fumble on the second play was recovered by Donte Wells at the ENMU 22-yard line. Wells picked up the ball and ran to the end zone. The extra-point kick failed, leaving MSU with a 20-3 advantage.

Each team scored 13 points the rest of the way, but the Greyhounds could not overcome their early deficit. ENMU got as close at 10 points in the third period, but MSU scored early in the fourth quarter to regain its 17-point margin.

Rhodes, who finished with 25 carries for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns, scored both of the Indians’ second-half TDs. He crossed the goal line on a 16-yard run with 9:40 to go in the third period, then added his fourth touchdown on a 21-yard run with 11:27 left in the game.

ENMU appeared to have momentum after Cale Sanders (So., WR, Roswell, NM/Goddard H.S.) made a diving catch in the end zone on a 37-yard pass from Heath Ridenour (So., QB, Lovington, NM/Lovington H.S.) with 2:46 remaining in the third quarter. The score by Sanders cut ENMU’s deficit to 26-16.

On MSU’s next possession, the Hounds forced the Indians into 4th-and-7 at the ENMU 41-yard line. MSU’s punt was nearly downed inside the 1-yard line, but was ruled a touchback. However, ENMU was penalized for too many men on the field, and MSU continued its drive at the ENMU 26-yard line. Two plays later, Rhodes scored the game’s final touchdown.

MSU, bolstered by 167 yards in the first quarter, finished the game with 348 total yards. The Indians rushed for 218 yards on 52 carries, and completed 8 of 12 passes for 130 yards.

Eastern New Mexico gained 73 rushing yards on 41 carries, and did not score a rushing touchdown. James Williams (Jr., QB, Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.) was 5 of 17 for 97 yards and 1 TD. Ridenour completed his only pass on the TD strike to Sanders. Overall, ENMU earned 156 yards through the air. The Hounds gained 229 total yards.

Sanders caught 3 passes for 84 yards, giving him 8 catches for 193 yards the past two weeks. Sanders also completed a 22-yard throw to Taryll Boxton (So., RB, Albuquerque, NM/ Del Norte H.S.) as part of a double-pass. Sanders completed his all-around performance by returning 3 punts for 44 yards, including a 20-yard return.

Todd averaged 41.0 yards punting on 6 punts. Two of his punts landed inside the 15-yard line, including a 29-yard coffin-corner kick that went out of bounds at the 8-yard line. He is averaging 40.5 yards per punt for the season.

On defense, Justin Hibbler (So., CB, Lubbock, TX/Estacado H.S.) intercepted two passes. His first interception, which he returned 28 yards to the MSU 33-yard line, led to an ENMU touchdown in the second quarter. His second interception came on a diving catch near the MSU sideline in the third quarter. Hibbler also recorded 5 tackles, including 3 solo stops.

Jared White (Fr., LB, Pampa, TX/UTEP) led the Greyhounds with 13 tackles (9 solo, 4 assists), while recording 2 tackles for losses and 1 quarterback sack. Garett Williams (Sr., LB, Monahans, TX/Monahans H.S.) added 12 total tackles, while Michael Garvin (Sr., FS, Salinas, CA/Hartnell C.C.) contributed 10 total tackles. MSU was led by linebackers Justin Thomas and Columbus Wooley, with 8 tackles each. Esrom Martinez added 7 tackles and 3 sacks.

ENMU hosts the University of Central Oklahoma next Saturday (Sept. 23), in the second game of a 3-game homestand. Kickoff at Greyhound Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m. (MST)