Las Vegas, NM --- The New Mexico Highlands Cowboys gave it all they had against a very tough #14 Colorado Mines as the Orediggers beat the Cowboys 42-13 at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden, CO.
The Orediggers had their hands full in the first half as they found themselves down until the last minute of the first half. The Cowboys would start the game off by recovering a fumble and pushing the ball down the field to set up a 42-yard field goal attempt that would give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead early in the first.
Later in the first quarter after an Oredigger punt, the Cowboys would push the ball 80-yards in 10 plays that ended in an 11-yard touchdown quarterback draw by NMHU's
Gunner Mefferd. The Cowboys would now lead 10-0 as the Cowboys seemed to be firing on all cylinders.
After Mines quarterback John Matocha gave the Orediggers their first touchdown of the day, the Cowboys would answer right back with a 45-yard field goal attempt by NMHU kicker Isreal Farfan. The Cowboys would hold on to a 6-point lead for the remainder of the quarter until Matocha would find Johnson in the endzone again to take a 14-13 lead going in to halftime.
Gunner Mefferd would end the half with 5 of 13 completions and 57 yards passing, 46 yards rushing, with a rushing touchdown and, after what seemed to be an injury, would not return to the field for the Cowboys offense.
Ramone Atkins would step in and finished the half with 5 of 12 completions with 37 yards and an interception.
The Cowboy defense would continue to play strong as they picked off Matocha midway through the third, and held the Mines offense to 7 points in the quarter. Mines would start the fourth with a 21-13 lead over the Cowboys. It was at this point where the Mines defense took the game over and as the Cowboys could only manage 57-yards in the second half. The Orediggers would score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, to make the final score 42-13.
James Budgett ended the game with 19 rushing attempts and 39 total yards.
J'juan Muldrow would lead the Cowboys in receptions with 2 and 38 yards. The Cowboys finished the game with 197 yards of total offense and allowed Mines 445 total yards. Matocha ended the day with 14 of 26 completions, 146 yards and 2 touchdowns. Barry Edwards played physical on defense as he tallied in 9 total tackles and also forced a fumble.
T.J. Jackson would end the game with an interception and 3 total tackles.
The Cowboys will head in to next week with a bye and will continue their season on October 12
th against Colorado State-Pueblo at the Leveo and Patricia Sanchez Family Stadium in Las Vegas, NM at 1 P.M.
GO COWBOYS!!
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