ST. GEORGE, Utah --- The New Mexico Highlands football team had its chances to remain undefeated and led at the half Saturday, but second-half struggles led to a 28-23 loss on the road to Dixie State at Trailblazer Stadium.
The Cowboys (2-1) took a 23-15 advantage into the half and had amassed 259 yards of offense, but the Trailblazers (2-1) outscored NMHU 13-0 in the second half – including using a short field on a Cowboy turnover on the second-half kickoff that turned into a touchdown – and held the Cowboys to 134 yards of offense to hand NMHU its first loss of the season.
The Cowboys had a final chance to take the lead when they got the ball back with 5:22 remaining in the fourth quarter on their own 20 and down 28-23.
Danny Cameron opened the drive with a pass up the middle to
Devon Henderson for 27 yards to get the ball quickly near midfield. After a 5-yard pass to
D.J. McFadden to cross into Dixie State territory and an incomplete pass – Cameron hit
Diego Elebario on an out that Elabario turned into a 15-yard gain to get the ball to the Dixie State 33 with 4:34 remaining in the contest.
But Dixie State's Trayvon Watson intercepted Cameron at the Dixie State 14 to end the drive with 4:20 remaining in the game. The Trailblazers got a pair of first downs and were able to run out the clock.
The game started with the Trailblazers taking a 7-0 lead with 8:02 remaining before the Cowboys answered with a 28-yard field goal from
Israel Farfan to make it 7-3. The Cowboy defense got a stop and the offense drove the ball for touchdown – capped by an
Elijah Boyd 5-yard run – to make it 10-7 Cowboys with 2:06 left in the first quarter.
Dixie State regained the lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 15-10 with 13:28 left in the second quarter, but again NMHU answered as a
Dazmon Scott 1-yard touchdown run made it 16-15 Cowboys (the point after was blocked).
The Cowboys increased the lead to 23-15 on a Cameron 1-yard sneak with 13 seconds left in the half as they took the eight-point lead into the break.
NMHU received the kick to start the third quarter, but fumbled it and Dixie State recovered on the Cowboy 30. Two plays later the Trailblazers scored to cut the NMHU lead to 23-22. Dixie State took the lead for what turned out to be for good on a touchdown with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter to make it 28-23 Trailblazers.
The Cowboys outgained Dixie State in yards 393-363, but committed two turnovers and forced none.
Cameron finished 13-for-25 for 220 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. McFadden finished with five catches for 66 yards while Henderson had four receptions for 74 yards.
Dione Alston led the Cowboys on the ground, rushing for 160 yards on 18 carries – though no other Cowboy had more than 16 yards on the ground.
The Cowboys got a solid effort from the defense as
Eli Schoettmer led the team with 14 tackles while
C.J. Waite added 10 and
Cameron Forziati had eight. Forziati and
T.J. Jackson also each added a sack.
The Cowboys return home 1 p.m. Saturday to take on Colorado Mines at Sanchez Family Stadium.
