Athletic Report
September 30, 2000

ABILENE CHRISTIAN EDGES GREYHOUNDS, 23-21
PORTALES, NM —Abilene Christian University scored 14 points in the third quarter and went on to defeat the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds, 23-21, in ENMU’s Homecoming Game, Sept. 30 at Greyhound Stadium. It was also the first Lone Star Conference South Division game of the season for both teams. ACU won the for the first time this year and improved to 1-3 overall. ENMU lost for the third time in four weeks and fell to 2-3.

Rodney VanDuren caught a 60-yard pass from Aaron Birdwell with 11:17 left in the third quarter to erase a 14-9 halftime lead for Eastern and give the Wildcats a 16-14 advantage. On ACU’s next possession, Birdwell hit Adrian Rascon with a 55-yard touchdown pass, as the Wildcats increased their lead to 23-14.

ENMU scored on a 1-yard run by Aaron Dunnam (So., FB, Wheeler, TX/Wheeler H.S.) with 4:35 left in the game, to cut the deficit to two points. The Greyhounds never got the ball back, as Abilene Christian ran out the clock with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that put ACU at the ENMU 10 as time expired. The Wildcats faced 3rd-and-6 on the third play of the drive, but Birdwell found Jacob Pruitt for a 9-yard completion to keep the drive alive. ACU also converted on 3rd-and-4 at the ENMU 26-yard line later in the drive.

It was the second consecutive season that ACU defeated the Greyhounds in ENMU’s Homecoming Game. Last year, ACU downed ENMU, 31-28.

The Greyhounds scored on their first possession of the game, and never trailed during the first half. Junior quarterback James Williams (Earth, TX/Springlake-Earth H.S.) scored on a 3-yard run to complete the 45-yard opening drive. ENMU had started in excellent field position after forcing ACU to punt from its own 16-yard line. Cale Sanders (So., WR, Roswell, NM/ Goddard H.S.) brought the ball into ACU territory with a 13-yard return.

Abilene Christian cut the deficit to a single point, by taking the ensuing kickoff and marching 80 yards in 15 plays. Birdwell threw a 17-yard pass to VanDuren and Rascon had an 11-yard run during the drive. Fullback George Fisher completed the drive with a 1-yard run with 1:32 left in the opening quarter. Justin Hibbler (So., CB, Lubbock, TX/Estacado H.S.) blocked the extra point for ENMU, leaving the Hounds in front, 7-6.

ENMU increased its lead to 14-6 with a 14-play, 81-yard drive of its own early in the second quarter. The key play was a 17-yard pass from Williams to senior tight end Josh Lynn (Eunice, NM/Eunice H.S.) on 3rd-and-17 at the ACU 26-yard line. Lynn’s catch gave the Greyhounds a first down at the 9-yard line. ENMU scored two plays later on a 5-yard run by Williams. Mike Trimble (Jr., PK, Houston, TX/Adams State) kicked the extra point with 6:24 left in the half.

ACU’s Rascon returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to the ENMU 30-yard line. The Wildcats were penalized for holding on the second play, and faced 2nd-and-12 after the foul. Two incomplete passes forced ACU to attempt a 49-yard field goal, which Michael Freeman put through the uprights with 5:06 remaining in the second quarter. ENMU kept its 14-9 advantage into the second half.

The Greyhounds gained 341 yards compared to Abilene Christian’s 317 yards. The Hounds also ran 23 more plays than ACU and had the ball for 38:12. Even so, the Wildcats’ two quick touchdown strikes proved to be the difference.

Both teams were called for more than 10 penalties. ENMU finished with 11 penalties for 89 yards, including several critical penalties on offense. ACU was whistled for 12 penalties for 107 yards, including two penalties for roughing the punter.

Rascon led all rushers with 105 yards on 17 carries. Fisher was limited to 35 yards on 9 carries. Birdwell completed 10 of 18 passes for 186 yards, while Pruitt caught 4 passes for 23 yards and VanDuren hauled in 2 passes for 77 yards.

Dennis Beard (Jr., RB, Albuquerque, NM/N.M. Military Institute) gained 78 yards on 15 carries for ENMU. Dunnam added 72 yards on 15 carries. Williams completed 6 of 12 passes for 75 yards, and Heath Ridenour was 3 of 7 passing for 61 yards. Ridenour entered the game late in the third quarter after Williams was injured on a running play. Each ENMU quarterback threw one interception for the only turnovers of the game.

On defense, Casey Hummel led Abilene Christian with 16 tackles, including 12 unassisted tackles. Warring Vital added 13 tackles and Derek Lyons provided 12 tackles and 2 sacks. Michael Garvin (Sr., FS, Salinas, CA/Hartnell C.C.) topped the ENMU defense with 8 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Garett Williams (Sr., LB, Monahans, TX/Monahans H.S.) and Jared White (Fr., LB, Pampa, TX/U. of Texas- El Paso) each contributed 7 tackles.

The Greyhounds travel to San Angelo, Texas next Saturday (Oct. 7) to take on Angelo State University in another LSC South contest. Kickoff at ASU is set for 6:00 p.m. (MDT).