ENMU Defense Wins Battle for Greyhounds In 10-3 Victory over Texas A&M-Commerce
Price Kicks Eastern's Longest FG Since 1995

PORTALES, NM - The Eastern New Mexico University defense, which entered the weekend as the Lone Star Conference leader in total defense, limited Texas A&M University-Commerce to a field goal and 2 of 14 third-down conversions, as the Greyhounds defeated the Lions, 10-3, Oct. 25 at Greyhound Stadium. ENMU improved to 6-2 on the season, including 2-2 in the LSC South. TAMU-Commerce dropped to 1-7, 0-3 in the LSC South.

Eastern's defense provided a goal line stand early in the game, as the Hounds set the tone for the afternoon. The ENMU offense misplayed a snap on the third play of the game, giving Commerce the ball at the ENMU 20-yard line.

Two plays later, the Lions had 1st-and-goal at the Eastern 5, then running back Joel Tudman rushed to the 1-yard line. On second town, Tudman was stopped by Ty Touchstone (Jr., FS, Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) and Jeff Howard (Jr., LB, Portales, NM/Portales HS) for a short gain, leaving the Lions five inches from the goal line. On third down, Tudman (6'1", 220 lbs.) carried again, but was stopped in the backfield by Courage Idemudia (Jr., Glenn Heights, TX/DeSoto HS), who forced a fumble. Howard recovered the ball in the end zone for ENMU.

The Greyhounds took the touchback at their own 20-yard line, and drove 80 yards on eight plays for the game's only touchdown. Steven Hinson (Jr., QB, Olney, TX/Olney HS) carried the ball for gains of 29 yards and eight yards on the drive, while running back Dwayne Davis (So., Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) added a 27-yard run from the A&M-C 33 to the six-yard line.

Jason Tezeno (So., RB, Levelland, TX/Levelland HS) scored three plays later from the one. He was stopped just outside the end zone, but lifted the ball over the pile to score the touchdown. Lee Price (Fr., PK, Holliday, TX/Holliday HS) kicked the PAT with 8:37 left in the first quarter.

The Lions registered their only points on a 31-yard field goal by Jason Hankins with 0:48 left in the opening period. The kick ended an 8-play, 48-yard drive that featured a 41-yard pass from Miles Durham to wide receiver Willie Whiting. Commerce had 1st-and-10 at the Eastern 12, but the Hounds forced two-yard losses on first and second down, then Durham was hurried by Adrian Quigley (Jr., SS, Lubbock, TX/Monterey HS) and threw an incomplete pass on third down.

Price kicked a 46-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the half to complete the scoring. It was the longest field goal by an ENMU kicker since Jason Crowson connected on a 49-yarder with six seconds left in a 10-7 win over West Texas A&M University on Nov. 4, 1995. Price's kick against A&M-C was a line drive into the strong swirling in the stadium. The ball hit the junction of the left upright and the crossbar, then rolled through the goal post. Price later missed a 44-yarder that had plenty of distance, but was pulled wide by the wind.

ENMU held its 10-3 lead in the second half, as A&M-C started five of six drives inside its own 35. The Lions' last drive started at the A&M-C 41 after a fumble by ENMU with 1:13 left.

Two plays later, back-up quarterback Beau Dodson hit Jarrod Webb on a 37-yard pass to the Eastern 20. Commerce was out of time-outs, so Dodson spiked the ball to stop the clock. He then threw an incomplete pass to Webb. On third down, Dodson scrambled for six yards to the 14. On fourth down, Jonathon Solis (Sr., FS, Roswell, NM/N.M. Military Institute) almost intercepted Dodson as he deflected another pass to Webb. ENMU ran off the final 0:34 to secure the win.

ENMU rushed for 275 yards on 61 carries against the TAMU-Commerce defense, which entered the game leading the LSC against the rush at 98.7 yards allowed per game. The Hounds finished above their own LSC-leading average of 250.7 yards per game. The balanced rushing attack included Davis for 72 yards (12 carries), Tezeno for 66 yards (16 carries), Hinson for 65 yards (15 carries) and Robert Garza (Fr., FB, Idalou, TX/Idalou HS) for 44 yards.

Hinson was 2 for 6 passing with one interception in the fierce wind conditions. Derrick Hunter (So., WR, Lamesa, TX/Lamesa HS) caught one pass for 12 yards, while Fide Davalos (Fr., RB, Portales, NM/Floyd HS) caught one pass for 11 yards. ENMU gained 298 total yards.

The Hounds limited A&M-C to 252 yards. Commerce rushed 33 times for 130 yards and added 122 passing yards.

Miles Durham was 4 of 9 passing for 54 yards. Dodson was 5 of 15 for 68 yards, and rushed for 53 yards on eight carries. Durham added 51 yards on five carries. Tudman was held to 28 yards on 19 rushes. Webb caught three passes for 54 yards and Whiting hauled in two for 50.

ENMU punter Steven Todd (Jr., Lubbock, TX/Frenship HS) helped keep the Lions pinned on their own end of the field by averaging 39.2 yards on six punts. He prevented three blocks by altering his kicks to avoid onrushing A&M-C players. Two punts placed Commerce inside its own 20, including a 53-yarder to the 16-yard line with 11:06 left in the game.

Touchstone and Howard led Eastern with seven tackles each. Howard had three tackles for losses and one quarterback hurry in addition to his fumble recovery. Idemudia and Quigley each made six tackles. Idemudia earned three tackles for losses and forced the early fumble, while Quigley almost intercepted a pass for an easy touchdown in the first quarter. Eric Mims (Sr., CB, Amarillo, TX/Palo Duro HS) was one of five ENMU players with a pass break-up.

Jared Williams topped A&M-C with 19 tackles (11 solo). Justin Thomas achieved 13 tackles and Myron Davis added 10 tackles. Anthony Fields recovered two fumbles for the Lions.

Eastern will take on LSC South co-leader Texas A&M-Kingsville (6-1, 3-0 LSC South) on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff in Kingsville, Texas, is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MST). ENMU slipped past the Javelinas, 37-34, at Greyhound Stadium last season.