ENMU Scores 39 Unanswered Points in 46-14 Victory over Northeastern State

LAS VEGAS, NM – Eastern New Mexico University scored 39 unanswered points to pull away from a 7-7 tie early in the second quarter and achieve a 46-14 victory over visiting Northeastern State University, Sept. 21, at Greyhound Stadium. ENMU improved to 3-0 with the win, while NSU fell to 2-2 on the season with the loss.

NSU also dropped to 0-1 in the overall standings for the Lone Star Conference. Because the LSC’s two divisions do not have the same number of teams (6 in the North, 7 in the South), the game counted for NSU in the LSC overall standings, but did not count for the Greyhounds.

ENMU scored first on a 3-yard run by senior quarterback Heath Ridenour (Lovington, NM/Lovington HS) with 12:33 left in the first quarter, but NSU equalized when quarterback Andre Post threw a 9-yard pass to John King in the corner of the end zone with 13:38 left in the half.

The Greyhounds moved in front for good on an 88-yard scamper by senior running back Taryll Boxton (Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte HS) with 7:59 remaining in the second quarter. Boxton, who fumbled earlier in the game, broke a tackle near the line of scrimmage and made a couple of nifty moves on his lengthy touchdown run.

Freshman wide receiver Derrick Hunter (Lamesa, TX/Lamesa HS) scored on a 6-yard pass from Ridenour with six seconds left in the half, as Eastern took a 21-7 lead. The touchdown pass finished a 7-play, 49-yard drive.

Eastern running back Dwayne Davis (RS Fr., Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) completed a successful opening drive for the Hounds to start the second half. Eastern went 84 yards on seven plays, with Davis scoring on a 17-yard run. Joe Barnes (Fr., PK/P, Andrews, TX/Andrews HS), who converted 5 of 6 extra points and added a 25-yard field goal, missed the extra point.

Ridenour threw his first interception of the year with 6:06 left in the third quarter (35 passes for Ridenour and 38 passes for Eastern over three games prior to the pick-off). The errant pass came on 3rd-and-goal at the NSU 14-yard line. Terry Grayson picked off the pass for the Redmen, but couldn’t stay in bounds inside the one-yard line. Two plays later, Chris Johnson was tackled by Adrian Quigley (So., SS, Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) and Jeff Howard (So., LB, Portales, NM/Portales HS) for a safety.

Eastern’s return specialist, Steven Hinson (So., QB, Olney, TX/Olney HS) returned the ensuing free kick 68 yards to the Northeastern 10-yard line. Ridenour scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on Eastern’s next play, giving the Greyhounds a 36-7 lead.

ENMU led 46-7 before Craig Fulton scored NSU’s second touchdown with 8:49 left in the game. Fulton was NE State’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 94 yards.

The Greyhounds gained 414 yards of total offense, including 325 rushing yards on 57 carries. Boxton led all rushers with 110 yards on just 6 carries. Ridenour added 87 yards on 20 carries. He also completed 8 of 16 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown.
Davis finished with 7 carries for 53 yards for the Greyhounds. Hunter caught 4 passes for 53 yards and Jason Tezeno (RS Fr., RB, Levelland, TX/Levelland HS) caught 2 passes for 60 yards.

Northeastern State was held to 206 offensive yards. The Redmen rushed for 146 yards on 36 carries, but lost three fumbles. Starting quarterback Andre Post was 6 of 16 for 60 yards and one TD, but fumbled the snap on the second play of the game, after NSU was penalized for moving early on the first snap. Eastern’s opening TD came just 5 plays and 26 yards later. Mitchell McKinnon, who started NSU’s first three games, was 0 for 3 passing against the Greyhounds.

Quigley led Eastern New Mexico University with 10 total tackles (6 unassisted). He had three tackles for losses and one quarterback sack. Sophomore safety Ty Touchstone (Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) and senior linebacker Jimmy Hamilton (Artesia, NM/New Mexico State) each recorded 7 total tackles. For NSU, Kendall Bryson achieved 10 tackles, while Terry Grayson added 11 tackles and Colby King earned 10 tackles.
ENMU travels to Ada, Okla., next weekend to take on East Central University in an LSC crossover game for both teams. Kickoff is schedule for 5 p.m. (MST).