Box Score St. George, Utah- New Mexico Highlands Football team fell in season opener to Dixie State University in tonights game. Your Cowboys couldn't hold the Trailblazers as they took the win 21-14. Highlands record falls to 0-1 overall and 0-1 RMAC.
1st Quarter:
Dixie State came out in the first minute and half ready to go as Sophomore Quarterback Tyson Blackner completed a pass to Sophomore Running Back Orlando Wallace for a touchdown. As the Trailblazers kicked off, Senior Running Back Vincent Venegas retuned the ball 15 yards to the Cowboys 21 mark. After that that Cowboys weren't able to do much. With six minutes left Highlands defensive got a sack for a loss of five yards from Senior Defensive Line Ponepate Faleofa.
Score: NMHU-0, DSU-7
2nd Quarter:
The Trailblazers started the quarter with the ball, but your Cowboys defensive line held themfor Highlands Offense to get their chance to tie the game. With seven minutes left, Cowboys Senior Quarterback Cody Keith completed a pass to Vincent Venegas for a 35 yard gain. Then Keith found Freshman Tight End Paul Kosanovich for a 23 yard gain. With three minutes left, Senior Running Back Davonte Lynch rushed into the in zone for a touchdown. The Cowboys try to go for the extra two point but could not complete it.
Score NMHU-6, DSU-7
3rd Quarter:
New Mexico Highlands started off with the ball and right away Senior Freshman Running Back Jairan Manning runs with it. Then Cody Keith found Redshirt Junior Regan Atkins for a 16 yard pass completion. With no one open Keith ran it himself to get the first down for the Cowboys. Nine minutes left in the quarter, Cody Keith found Redshirt Freshman Ramone Atkins for the touchdown. Then Highlands went for the extra two point again and this time they were successful with a pass completion from Vincent Venegas. This gave the Cowboys the first lead of the night (NMHU 14, DSU-7). With three minutes on the clock, the Cowboys found themselves defending at the one yard line. With a little push from the Trailblazers offensive line, Orlando Wallace found himself in the in zone tying up the game 14 up. Highlands Davonte Lynch rushed the ball for 13 yards, but Highlands couldn't put themselves in a scoring position. One minute and thirty second left, Trailblazers had the ball and Freshman Sei-J Lauago threw it to Junior Wide Receiver Dejuan Dantzler for a 61 yard pass completion that led to a touchdown. Giving Dixie State the lead 21-14. At the end of the quarter, Davonte Lynch tried to rush the ball but the clock ran out.
Score: NMHU- 14, DSU- 21
4th Quarter
Cowboys start with the ball and try to even the score with some pass completions by Cody Keith. Dixie State did reclaim the ball, but had a hard time against the Cowboys defensive. Manning had a couple chances to rush the ball, but Junior Punter/Kicker Luke Jones ended up punting it. Highlands and Dixie State both struggled at the end of the game with trying to find their way to the in zone. The Trailblazers ended up taking this one home with them.
Final Score: NMHU-14, DSU-21
New Mexico Highlands next game will be the Home Opener on September 10 against Colorado School of Mines in Perkins Stadium at 12pm.
