New Mexico Highlands (4-5, 4-4)
vs. South Dakota Mines (5-4, 3-4)
12 p.m. Saturday | Sanchez Family Stadium | Las Vegas, N.M.
WATCH | LIVE STATS
LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands football team goes for its fourth win in a row as the Cowboys host South Dakota Mines noon Saturday in their home finale at Sanchez Stadium.
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS HEADING INTO THIS WEEK | 2021 STATS
The Cowboys outscored Adams State 30-7 in the second half to pull away for a 58-28 last week at home behind four touchdowns (three receiving, one on a kickoff return) from CJ Sims and seven forced turnovers by the defense - including two interceptions from Lebarron Jones to help him earn RMAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The NMHU offense continues to roll - ranked 14th in the country and first in the RMAC in total offense at 455.6 yards per game while averaging 31.9 points per game, fourth in the conference.
The offense is led by quarterback Ramone Atkins who leads the country in total offense (352.2 yards per game). He's 15th in the nation in passing yards per game (287.2) and 10th in passing touchdowns with 25. This goes along with 585 yards rushing - sixth in the RMAC and tops on the team.
Sims has been Atkins' top target as he's seventh in the nation in receiving yards (964), ninth in receiving yards per game (107.1), 21st in receptions per game (6.1) and 15th in receiving touchdowns (10). Quavon Beckford is putting up big numbers lately as well, moving his season totals to 33 receptions for 479 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the ground to to along with Atkins' team-leading total, Cameron High has rushed for 438 yards and two scores while Kamari Mosby has rushed for 330 yards and another two scores.
With its six interceptions last week, the NMHU defense is now tied for first in the nation in interceptions this season with 15. The seven turnovers forced last week gives the Cowboys 21 on the season - first in the RMAC and 15th in the nation.
Leading the defense is Devin Coney with 50 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Malik Brown is putting up big numbers as well with 47 tackles, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery while Terrence jackson has 44 tackles. Raymond wingate leads the team in sacks with 3.0.
SOUTH DAKOTA MINES HEADING INTO THE WEEK | 2021 STATS
The Hardrockers after back-to-back losses to ranked opponents bounced back for a 13-10 win over rival Black Hills State last week on the road. SDM trailed 10-7 heading into the fourth before a pair of field goals by Connor Taylor gave the Hardrockers the win - the last coming with 4:47 left in the game. Mines held BHSU to 121 yards of offense.
Jayden Johannsen has started each game for the Hardrockers at quarterback, throwing for 1,732 yards, 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 60.7 percent of his passes. His top targets have been Jeremiah Bridges (40 receptions, 523 yards, 6 TDs), Isaiah Eastman (36 receptions, 441 yards, 2 TDs) and Collin Zur (31 receptions, 414 yards, 3 TDs).
Johannsen also leads the team in rushing with 438 yards and seven scores while Kaleb Roth has 400 yards and three scores.
Kyante Christian leads a Mines defense allowing 29.2 points per game with 61 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks. Will Carroll and Cole Patterson each have 47 tackles for the Hardrockers while Gavin Chaddock has 32 tackles to go along with 5.5 sacks. Kendahl Johnson leads the team with three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
