CHADRON, Neb. --- A pair of second-half turnovers led to two Chadron State touchdowns and the New Mexico Highlands football team couldn't muster one last rally as the Cowboys fell on the road 43-38 Saturday afternoon at Elliott Field.
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For the Cowboys (3-6 overall, 3-5 RMAC), it was their third loss this season by five points or less as NMHU continues to improve – but just couldn't get over the hump Saturday.
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NMHU, which trailed 14-0 to start the game only to rally and take a 21-17 lead at the half, held a 31-30 advantage late in the third quarter when a fumble gave the ball to Chadron State (6-2, 6-2) on the NMHU 46 with 2:04 left in the third quarter. The Eagles eventually scored on a 16-yard run by Kevin Coy, Jr., to take a 37-31 lead with 14:23 remaining in the game.
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The Cowboys were driving on the following possession when a Cowboy receiver was hit hard near the sideline, fumbled and it was recovered by Malik Goss who ran it back 62 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 43-31 advantage with 10:57 left in the game.
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NMHU answered quickly as quarterback
Danny Cameron led the Cowboys down the field – capped with a 9-yard touchdown pass to
D.J. McFadden to make it 43-38 with 8:05 left in the game.
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The Cowboys got the ball one last time, but was at their own 1-yard line and they were eventually forced to punt with 2:52 left. The Eagles, despite NMHU using all three timeouts, were able to convert a pair of first downs to run out the clock.
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Cameron had a huge day for the Cowboys, going 26-for-39 for 391 yards, five touchdowns (to four different receivers) and one interception.
D.J. McFadden finished with 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns,
Zach Drew-Toles had five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown (80-yard score) and
Emmanuel Lumanze and
Nick Edwards each added touchdown grabs.
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Dion Alston had 135 yards on 22 attempts to help him cross the 1,000-yard mark on the season (1,021 yards).
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Malik Brown and
Dondi Fuller had 11 tackles apiece,
Cameron Forziati had nine tackles and a sack and
T.J. Jackson had five tackles and an interception.
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The Cowboys outgained the Eagles 553-517 in total yardage, though Chadron State's effort was well balanced with 262 yards passing and 255 rushing (including 5.9 yards per carry).
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NMHU returns to action at home 1 p.m. Saturday as the Cowboys host Western State at Sanchez Family Stadium.
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