Cowboys regain Warrior's Helmet, beat Western New Mexico in OT at La Batalla Bowl

SILVER CITY, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands football team scored a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter and won it in overtime with a Spencer Richards 35-yard field goal to beat Western New Mexico 31-28 to win the La Batalla Bowl and return the Warrior's Helmet to Las Vegas.

The win finishes the season for the Cowboys with a 5-6 record - the most wins for the team since 2012.

The fourth quarter game-tying drive was set up when it looked like the Mustangs (1-10) might take a two score lead when Malik Brown intercepted Devin Larsen at the NMHU 1 and returned it 40 yards to give the Cowboys good field position.

NMHU converted a fourth-and-1 on the first set of downs thanks to a Ramone Atkins pass to Justin Johnson for five yards. Atkins eventually would find CJ Sims for an 11-yard touchdown pass with 5:09 left in the contest to tie the game at 28.

After an NMHU turnover gave WNMU great field position at the NMHU 26, Brown came up with another interception to stop a potential game-winning drive by the Mustangs.

The Cowboys' Richards attempted a 52-yard field goal at the end of regulation, but missed as the game went to overtime.

WNMU got the ball to start overtime and the Cowboy defense stood strong, picking up a pair of sacks - and along with a Mustang penalty - forced a 51-yard field goal attempt that was no good, meaning NMHU needed just a score to win on its possession.

Eventually Richards attempted a 35-yard field goal which he drilled to give NMHU the win and the Warrior's Helmet for the first time since 2014.

The Cowboys outgained the Mustangs 369-317 in total offense - throwing for 189 yards and rushing for another 180 yards.

Atkins finished 21-for-33 passing for 189 yards, three touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 42 yards and another touchdown - accounting for all four NMHU touchdowns.

Kamari Mosby and Cameron High each rushed for 59 yards apiece for the Cowboys.

Sims - the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year -caught seven passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns while Lou Dorsey caught eight passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Brown had a huge game on defense with three tackles, two interceptions, a blocked kick and a pass breakup.