Box Score Las Vegas, N.M - The New Mexico Highlands University football team won its 2017 season opener with a stirring 23-22 come from behind victory over RMAC foe Dixie State University on Thursday evening at West Las Vegas High School. The win marks the first season-opening win for the Cowboys since 2013 and makes new head coach, Marty Fine, the first Cowboy coach to win his debut game since 2011.
Dixie State (0-1, 0-1 RMAC) jumped out to an early lead after forcing an NMHU fumble on the first possession of the game. The Trailblazers turned the fumble into a touchdown advantage with a 1-yard run.
The Cowboys responded quickly with a 75-yard drive to tie the game 7-7. The drive culminated with a fumble recovery in the end zone following HU quarterback Danny Cameron's completed pass to Louis Webb at the 10-yard line. Webb fumbled after a hard hit from DSU defender and the ball rolled into the end zone where it was recovered by offensive lineman, Sanetarini Tosi, for the score.
Dixie State would find the end zone on a 20 yard touchdown run on 4th and 1 late in the first quarter and added a field goal following an interception deep in Cowboy territory just before halftime as the Cowboy defense rose up and denied the Trailblazers a touchdown. Dixie State took a 16-7 lead into the locker room.
DSU added to the lead midway through the third quarter with a short touchdown pass, but the extra point attempt was no good and the score remained 22-7. That missed extra point attempt would prove crucial in the Cowboys comeback win.
Trailing by 15-points approaching the fourth quarter, the Cowboys turned DSU turnovers and penalties into 16 fourth-quarter points, capped by a 42-yard field goal by kicker Luke Jones with less than four minutes to play. The HU defense again rose up, intercepting a Dixie State pass on the next possession, sealing the come from behind victory as an excited New Cowboy Nation rose to their feet in the Cowboys temporary home stadium.
The Cowboys travel to Colorado on Sept. 9th to take on Colorado Mines for another RMAC showdown. Game time in Golden is noon.
GO COWBOYS!
