NMHU takes on Western St. at Sanchez Stadium on Saturday

LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands football team hosts Western State Colorado 1 p.m. Saturday at Sanchez Family Stadium in the first of two home games to cap the season for the Cowboys.
 
THE COWBOYS COMING INTO THIS WEEK | SEASON STATS
The Cowboys are coming off its third road loss of the season by five points or less as they fell on the road to Chadron State, 43-38, on Saturday in Nebraska. It was a back-and-forth contest as NMHU fell behind 14-0, scored 21 unanswered to take a 21-14 lead, allowed 10 straight to the Eagles to fall behind 24-21, scored 10 straight of its own to take a 31-24 advantage, allowed 19 consecutive points to fall behind 43-31 and scored a touchdown with 8:05 left to cut the lead to 43-38 - but couldn't put together a final drive to take the lead. Late turnovers cost the Cowboys, as two fumbles led to two Chadron State touchdowns in the second half.

Danny Cameron finished 26-for-39 for 391 yards, five touchdowns and an interception to give him 1,950 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season. D.J. McFadden caught 10 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns while Zach Drew-Toles had five catches for 113 yards and a score (an 80-yard touchdown reception - the longest play for the Cowboys this season). On the season, McFadden has 42 catches for 613 yards and six touchdowns while Drew-Toles is second on the team with 23 catches for 467 yards and three scores.

Dione Alston had his sixth 100-yard game of the season with 135 yards rushing - giving him 1,021 rushing yards on the season. He's the first Cowboy to reach the 1,000-yard mark since Louis Hinchey ran for 1,048 yards in 2001.

Malik Brown and Dondi Fuller led the team with 11 tackles apiece with Brown racking up two breakups and Fuller forcing a fumble. T.J. Jackson had an interception while Cameron Forziati, James Dinson and Anthony Miller each had a sack against the Eagles. On the season, Brown leads the team with 79 tackles (sixth in the RMAC) and five interceptions while Forziati is second on the team in tackles (71) and leads the team with 4.5 sacks.

The Cowboys are going for their fourth win of the season, which would be the most for the program in a season since 2012 when NMHU went 8-3.

ABOUT WESTERN STATE COLORADO | SEASON STATS
The Mountaineers started the season 0-7 - which included three one-score losses to Colorado Mesa (24-20), Adams State (55-52) and Dixie State (17-10) - but have since won two in a row, at Fort Lewis (40-20) and at home against Black Hills State (28-6) last week.

In Western State's win last week, the Mountaineers played a dominant first half and jumped out to a 28-0 lead - including two touchdowns in the final 1:09 of the first half.

Dylan Jacob went 24-for-38 for 202 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Mountaineers as he's now thrown for 1,279 yards and 12 touchdowns. Isaac Fuqua rushed for 100 yards in the win and leads the team with 777 yards and seven touchdowns. Receiving leaders on the season for Western State are Zach Manchester (30 catches, 334 yards, 2 TDs), Jordan Barton (27 catches, 324 yards, 3 TDs), Elijah Gillespi (25 catches, 253 yards, 5 TDs) and Bryce Harvey (23 catches, 184 yards, 1 TD). 

In the win against Black Hills, David Velazquez had two interceptions to go along with six tackles while Desmond Marfizo led the team with 13 tackles. On the season, Lane Farris leads the team with 74 tackles while Marfizo has 66. Mark Zavala leads the Mountaineers with 6.5 sacks. As a team, the Mountaineers are third in the conference in total defense, allowing 420.8 yards per game.

SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys are 5-11 against Western State since 2002, though NMHU has won three of the last four games played in Las Vegas - where the game will be played Saturday. The Cowboys fell to the Mountaineers 26-16 last season in Gunnison, Colorado.

New Mexico Highlands series history vs. Western State Colorado since 2002
2017 - L, 26-16, Gunnison, Colo.
2016 - L, 58-0, Las Vegas, N.M.
2015 - L, 56-7, Gunnison, Colo.
2014 - W, 46-43, Las Vegas, N.M.
2013 - L, 33-27, Gunnison, Colo.
2012 - W, 31-17, Las Vegas, N.M.
2011 - L, 15-14, Gunnison, Colo.
2010 - W, 32-31, Las Vegas, N.M.
2009 - L, 21-19, Gunnison, Colo.
2008 - L, 34-41, Las Vegas, N.M.
2007 - W, 35-18, Gunnison, Colo.
2006 - L, 14-9, Las Vegas, N.M.
2005 - L, 24-20, Las Vegas, N.M.
2004 - W, 17-10, Gunnison, Colo.
2003 - L, 30-27, Las Vegas, N.M.
2002 - L, 52-21, Gunnison, Colo.