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LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The New Mexico Highlands football team (1-1) celebrates homecoming and the contributions of eight individuals Saturday (Sept. 20) when Highlands welcomes in Western New Mexico. The Cowboys are 3-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference openers under head coach
Eric Young.
The Coaches Highlands head coach
Eric Young is currently in his fourth season and is 14-21 overall. He is 1-2 against Western New Mexico but 1-0 at home.
Western New Mexico is coached by Adam Clark, who is in his fifth season and is 17-28 overall. He is 3-1 against the Cowboys and 1-1 in Las Vegas, N.M.
The Series New Mexico Highlands is trailing 38-33-5 all-time against the Mustangs but the Cowboys did beat Western New Mexico in 2008 on homecoming, 17-14. Highlands led 17-7 at halftime, thanks in part to a 79-yard run by Erick Dyer and a nine yard Brandon Fairfield reception from Daniel Valdez.
Yes, He Can Kick TooThis season, senior
Patrick Carney was named a Preseason All-American as a punter, as he is the leading returning punter in all of NCAA Division II. In 2014 so far, Carney has placed 50 percent of his punts inside the 20 (nine of 18). With three punts more than 50 yards Saturday at Northern Arizona, Carney has punted for 50+ yards in 36 of 128 career punts (28.1 percent). Carney's average of 45.1 yards per game is currently eighth in the nation and first in the RMAC. Despite 33 percent (six of 18) of his punts being more than 50 yards, he has only two touchbacks in 2014.
Oh, and he made a 33 yard field goal against Northern Arizona.
Light Em' Up Senior linebacker
Jared Koster showed the nation his 20 tackles against Eastern New Mexico - the most by a Cowboy in at least a decade - was no fluke. Against #24 FCS Northern Arizona, Koster again led the team with 13 tackles, nine of which were solo. Koster leads the nation in both total tackles (33) and solo tackles (23). In fact, he is so far ahead of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in tackles, his 20 tackles against just the Greyhounds in week one is more than all but four players in the conference through two games.
Brought to you by the Letter O Despite New Mexico Highlands being off to a 0-2 start, offensive is the word in Las Vegas, New Mexico - especially when it comes to passing. The Cowboys ranks fifth in the nation in passing offense with 399 yards per game. They are 44th in the nation in total offense with 451 yards per game.
But O also stands for Orender, as in senior quarterback
Lance Orender. He is in the top-10 in five statistical categories, including fifth in passing yards per game (375.5), total passing yards (751) and completions per game (29.5), seventh in total offense per game (377.5) and 10th in passing touchdowns (six).
All this, and he had not started since his second year at Fresno City College in 2011.
And the Fun Begins The New Mexico Highlands Cowboys are about to begin their 39th season in the RMAC. Not only do they open up with their in-state rival, both Highlands and Western New Mexico were picked to finish seventh in the conference.
School (1st Place Votes) Points
1. CSU-Pueblo (9) 81
2. Chadron State 69
3. Colorado Mines (1) 67
4. Adams State 53
5. Colorado Mesa 46
6. Fort Lewis 35
7. New Mexico Highlands 29 Western New Mexico 29
9. Western State Colorado 22
10. Black Hills State 19
That is a Long Way Senior
Lance Orender's pass to junior
Kirt Terry-Springs against Eastern New Mexico is still the longest play from scrimmage in the RMAC and the ninth-longest play in NCAA Division II this season.
JC's Will be Your Party HQ With all of New Mexico Highlands away games being on America One, all away games will be shown live on television at JC's New York Pizza. Also, every Monday at 5:30, there will be a coach's show at JC's hosted by the voice of Highlands football, Art Abreu. For all game days, where your Highlands gear to JC's and get 10 percent off.
Coming Up Next New Mexico Highlands continues its road contest every other game swing when it travels to Durango, Colorado to take on Fort Lewis. The Cowboys lone win in the RMAC in 2013 came at the hands of the Skyhawks in Las Vegas, New Mexico, 31-20.
