Eastern New Mexico University Football Team Ranked #25 in NCAA Division II Coaches Poll

PORTALES, NM – The Eastern New Mexico University football team, 4-0 on the season and 1-0 in the overall Lone Star Conference standings, is ranked #25 the NCAA Division II Coaches Poll released today by the American Football Coaches Association. It is the first time the Greyhounds have been ranked this season.

ENMU received 36 points in the poll to become the only new team in this week’s rankings. Grand Valley State University (Mich.) remained #1 and received 674 points and 26 first place votes. The one remaining first place vote went to Tuskegee University (Ala.), ranked #8.

The Greyhounds are joined in the poll by two other LSC teams. Texas A&M-Kingsville (2-1) is ranked #10, up to spots from a week ago. Tarleton State University (4-1) fell from #6 in the poll to #18 after losing to Kingsville, 16-3, on Saturday.

Eastern rallied past East Central University this past weekend, 35-29, to remain undefeated. Taryll Boxton (Sr., RB, Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte HS) scored the winning touchdown with 6:22 left in the game, as the Hounds overcame a 29-21, fourth-quarter deficit.

ENMU ranks first in the LSC in scoring (44.5 points per game), total offense (464.0 yards per game) and rushing offense (333.8 yards per game). Against ECU, the ENMU offense totaled 452 yards, as Dwayne Davis (RS Fr., RB, Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) rushed for 137 yards on 11 carries and Sukora Cooper (So., FB, Dallas, TX/Samuell HS) gained 129 yards on 16 carries.

The Greyhounds will play their first LSC South Division game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 5, when they host Abilene Christian University. Game time at Greyhound Stadium is set for 6 p.m. (MST). It will be KOBR-TV Take a Kid to the Game Night (Free admission for one child with each paid adult), as well as High School Night (Free admission for high school students with valid ID) and Cannon Air Force Base Appreciation Night.

Eastern’s home game with ACU will feature a halftime fireworks show, courtesy of Deans, Incorporated of Artesia, N.M. Fireworks also will be used following any ENMU score, and the Greyhounds will arrive at the field accompanied by special green smoke.

Although there will be plenty of extra excitement, the Greyhounds’ primary focus will be on avenging three consecutive upset losses to the Wildcats. Last year, ACU defeated ENMU, 35-21, in Abilene, Texas, ending Eastern’s four-game winning streak to start the season.

For more information on the complete NCAA Division II ranking polls, visit: http://www.afca.com/lev3.cfm/911