Football Cannot Capitalize On Strong First Quarter in Loss to Northern Arizona

Box Score FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Cowboys racked up 468 yards of offense, but the Lumberjacks countered with 571 as the New Mexico Highlands football team (0-2) fell to #24 FCS Northern Arizona (2-1) 62-23 Saturday night (Sept. 13).
 
The Lumberjacks marched 70 yards in the first possession of the game, scoring on an Alex Holmes 23 yard reception from Kyren Poe. The Cowboys wasted no time in responding as senior quarterback Lance Orender connected on three passes for 62 yards. Senior Patrick Carney capped the Highlands scoring drive with a 33-yard field goal to cut the deficit to four.
 
For the day, Orender completed 24 of 44 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Trailing 34-3 right before the break, Highlands put a drive together of less than 45 seconds to score its first touchdown of the game. After senior Vincent Venegas started off the drive fast with a rush for 23 yards, Orender completed three passes on four attempts and 53 yards for the score, capped by senior Tyler Slavin's 27-yard touchdown reception. Slavin finished the game as the Cowboys leading receiver with 11 catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
 
In the middle of the third quarter, Highlands was able to put two consecutive offensive possessions in the end zone as Orender went a combined 7-9 for 124 and two touchdown passes. Junior Kirt Terry Springs capped the first drive with a 14-yard TD reception and Slavin caught a 40-yard pass for the second score for the Cowboys.
 
Northern Arizona capped the scoring in the fourth when Emmanuel Butler caught a 3-yard touchdown for his second score of the game. In the air, Luberjacks' Poe finished 14-23 for 241 yards and three TDs. The home team also turned in a pair of 100-yard rushers as Maquice Paige ran for 136 yards and a touchdown while Corbin Jountti ran for 124 yards and a score.
 
Highlands' football returns to action next Saturday (Sept. 20) for homecoming against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference-rival Western New Mexico. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.