Second-half struggles slow NMHU, fall at No. 15 CSU-Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. --- It started off well for the New Mexico Highlands football team against No. 15 CSU-Pueblo on Saturday as the Cowboys took the opening kickoff and drove down to the ThunderWolves' 4-yard line before settling for a field goal.
 
Even at the half, the Cowboys were still within striking distance of CSU-Pueblo – trailing 13-3.
 
But NMHU wore down in the second half and was outscored 35-0 to fall to the ThunderWolves 48-3 at Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.
 
The Cowboys (2-4 overall, 2-3 RMAC) were outgained by CSU-Pueblo (5-1, 4-1) 341-70 in the second half as NMHU struggled to gain momentum on either side of the ball.
 
The outlook looked positive on the Cowboys' opening drive as a 25-yard return by Devon Henderson to the NMHU 30, a 5-yard run by Elijah Boyd and a 16-yard run by Dione Alston suddenly had NMHU in CSU-Pueblo territory. Danny Cameron then hit Zach Drew-Toles for an 18-yard gain and a Cameron pass to Henderson for 11 yards gave the Cowboys the ball first and goal from the CSU-Pueblo 4.
 
The drive stalled, however, as a rush for no gain and two incomplete passes forced NMHU to settle for an Israel Farfan 21-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 9:50 remaining in the first quarter.
 
The lead was short lived for the Cowboys, however, as a 71-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave CSU-Pueblo great field position at the NMHU 28. Three plays later Marche Dennard ran it in from 29 yards out on 3^rd-and-11 to give the ThunderWolves a 7-3 advantage.
 
The NMHU defense stood tall from the rest of the half, however, holding CSU-Pueblo to a pair of field goals to keep the game close at halftime, 13-3.
 
The defense wore down and the offense continued to struggle, however, as the ThunderWolves scored touchdowns on five of their final six possessions of the game – no drive longer than five plays – as CSU-Pueblo pulled away in the second half for their 11^th-straight win over NMHU.
 
Alston led the Cowboys with 50 yards rushing on 18 carries while Boyd had 20 yards on eight carries. NMHU was held to 1.8 yard per carry (97 yards, 53 carries).
 
Cameron finished 8-for-22 for 96 yards and three interceptions. Drew-Toles was the top pass catcher with three catches for 47 yards.
 
Malik Brown finished with 12 tackles for the Cowboys while Cameron Forziati had 10 tackles, including a sack.
 
CSU-Pueblo was led by the 213 yards and three touchdowns on the ground from Dennard while quarterback Brandon Edwards went 13-for-19 for 195 yards and a touchdown.
 
The Cowboys hit the road again next week as they travel to take on Black Hills State 1 p.m. Saturday in Spearfish, South Dakota.