Box Score CHADRON, NEB. – The New Mexico Highlands Football (1-8, 1-6) team broke their winning drought with a 24-16 win against Chadron State College (4-5, 3-4). Cowboys's last win came 378 days ago on October 18th against Western St. Despite facing the best pass defense in the conference,
Trevor Swenson threw for 247 yards and two TDs through the air.
The Cowboys started the scoring with a 2-yard rushing from
Vincent Venegas, to go up 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Cowboys would have a chance to score but they would unsuccessful due to a missed kick. As a result, the Cowboys would go to halftime with a lead for the second week in a row.
Coming out of the locker rooms for the third quarter, the Eagles would come out attacking as they would score on their first two drives of the half to go up 10-7. The Cowboys would get the lead again after a 25-yard touchdown by wide receiver,
Kirt Terry-Springs.
Determined to get their first win of the season, the Cowboys would not let up and score another touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Kirt Terry-Springs would catch a 13-yard pass from Swenson to score his second touchdown of the game. The Eagles would counter with a score to cut the deficit by five. After a lengthy 7-minute drive by the Cowboys, they would build a bigger lead with a 23-yard field goal by
Luke Jones. The Eagles would have one last chance with 52 seconds on the clock but they would be unsuccessful, as the Cowboys would come out victorious 24-16.
This was Coach Jeff Mill's first win as a college head coach. Coach Mills took over the Cowboy program in March and been working towards this moment for months.
The Cowboys look to continue this success as they head back home next weekend to face Black Hills State.
A thought from Coach
Jeff Mills:
"I am so proud of our team. It was a team victory. 'Find a way to find away' is one of our themes and our Highlands men did today on the road versus a good Chadron State team. We were able to finish the fourth quarter. Our team expected to win and were rewarded by their preparation. We have the 24 hour rule to celebrate and then we will be back to work on Monday. Go Cowboys!"
