West Texas A&M Defeats ENMU, 49-23
Wagon Wheel Goes Back to WTAMU

PORTALES, NM - West Texas A&M University rolled up 389 yards of total offense in the first half against the Lone Star Conference's top defense, and the Buffaloes went on to defeat Eastern New Mexico University, 49-23, in the annual Wagon Wheel game, Nov. 8 at Greyhound Stadium. WTAMU, which regained possession of the Wagon Wheel after losing four games in a row to the Greyhounds, improved to 3-7 overall, 2-3 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 6-4 overall, 2-4 in the LSC South.

Eastern began the game ranked first in the LSC in total defense, allowing 282.9 yards per game. West Texas ran 47 offensive plays in the first half, compared to just 24 plays for ENMU. The Buffaloes completed 22 of 30 passes in the first half for 250 yards, and added 140 rushing yards on 17 carries. Running back Aubrey Lacy, who returned to action for the first time in three weeks, ran 13 times for 126 yards in the first two quarters.

ENMU limited WTAMU to 71 yards in the second half, but the Buffaloes scored on a punt return in the third quarter and a kickoff return in the fourth quarter. The Buffs also drove 33 yards for a third-quarter score following an ENMU fumble. Eastern's offense, which achieved just 128 yards in the first half, gained 277 yards in the final 30 minutes, but trailed 42-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

Lacy finished the game with 128 rushing yards on 18 carries. He opened the scoring on a 9-yard run with 12:17 left in the first quarter. ENMU equalized later in the period, when Jordan Lambert (Jr., LB, Lockney, TX/Lockney HS) intercepted a pass by WTAMU's Derek Maupin and returned it 80-yards for a touchdown with 6:04 left in the opening quarter. It was the first interception of Lambert's collegiate career.

Maupin hit Jerry Hicks with a 20-yard pass at the end of an 8-play, 80-yard drive to give West Texas A&M a 14-7 lead early in the second period. Lacy added two more touchdowns before halftime, on a 55-yard run at the 6:25 mark and a 17-yard run with 1:05 remaining in the half. West Texas held a 28-7 lead at the intermission.

ENMU gained one first down at the start of the second half, but had to punt four plays later. Jason Jones grabbed the kick at this own 20-yard line and scampered 80-yards for a touchdown. Jacob Felton made the fifth of his seven extra points, as West Texas extended its lead to 35-7.

Lacy scored his fourth touchdown of the day on a 1-yard run with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown came five plays after ENMU lost a fumble at its own 33-yard line.

The Greyhounds scored their second touchdown with 12:36 left in the game on a 61-yard pass from back-up quarterback Jon Bell (Jr., Pittsburg, LA/Los Medanos College) to Derrick Hunter (So., WR, Lamesa, TX/Lamesa HS). Lee Price (Fr., PK, Holliday, TX/Holliday HS) kicked the extra point to cut the margin to 42-14.

West Texas answered quickly, when Anthony Armstrong returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Felton kicked the conversion.

ENMU scored a safety with 6:12 left. The defensive score occurred one play after WTAMU cornerback Dominique Carter intercepted a desperation, fourth-down pass at the ENMU 1-yard line. Running back Willy Bongo of West Texas was tackled in the end zone by Ben Dollar (Sr., LB, Wheeler, TX/Wheeler HS) and Jeff Howard (Jr., LB, Portales, NM/Portales HS).

The Greyhounds added a 14-yard touchdown run by Bell with 2:39 on the clock to complete the scoring. The touchdown ended a 5-play, 46-yard drive following a West Texas fumble.

West Texas finished the game with 460 total yards. The Buffaloes gained 136 rushing yards on 31 carries. Maupin completed 31 of 43 passes for 324 yards (1 TD, 1 INT). Cheyenne Smith caught 7 passes for 88 yards.

ENMU gained 355 yards, including a season-high 287 yards through the air. Steven Hinson (Jr., QB, Olney, TX/Olney HS) was 10 of 20 for 144 yards. Bell completed 7 of 13 passes for 143 yards. Josh Quebe (Jr., WR, Lockney, TX/Lockney HS) caught a career-high 7 passes for 63 yards. Hunter hauled in 3 passes for 63 yards. Artemus Tennison (So., TE, Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) caught a 79-yard pass in the first half.

On defense, the Greyhounds were led by Howard, with 10 total tackles. Jonathon Solis (Sr., FS, Roswell, NM/N.M. Military Institute) made 9 tackles (8 solo). Lambert also finished with 9 tackles for the Greyhounds.

WTAMU received 9 tackles each from linebackers Adam Shaw and Adam St. Clair. Shaw had 8 unassisted tackles, 4 tackles for losses and 2.0 sacks. Randy Bowers and Brad Ford each contributed 7 tackles.

Eastern New Mexico University will close out the 2003 season at Greyhound Stadium, when they host Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Nov. 15. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MDT). Last year, SWOSU defeated the Greyhounds, 25-14, in Weatherford, Okla.