It's Homecoming 2021 and the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys are ready to ride versus Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Chadron State College Saturday at Sanchez Family Stadium. Kick-off is at noon with tailgating and pre-game activities beginning at 10AM. Both teams are 1-3 and coming off tough losses with the Cowboys falling 41-21 to DI Tarleton State University and Chadron dropping a 24-17 heartbreaker to undefeated Colorado Mesa on the road in Grand Junction, CO.
By the Numbers
Offensive fireworks continue to be the theme of the season for the Highlands squad. The Cowboys rank #3 in the nation in first downs per game and #16 in the country in total offense with over 475 yards per game. HU quarterback Ramone Atkins sits among the top twenty in all of DII football in passing yards and is #6 nationally with 13 touchdown passes. CJ Sims (5) and Ronald Jamison (4) have grabbed the majority of the TD's and Sims currently ranks #6 in all of NCAA DII with 173 all-purpose yards per contest. Â
The Cowboys are looking adjust and improve on the defensive side. The HU defense ranks outside the top 100 in total defense-- but the 'Pokes have faced three straight high-power offenses in #5 ranked Colorado Mines, undefeated Colorado Mesa and DI Tarleton State. Defensive back Willie Morris is among the top ten in the country in passes defended and has already picked-off three passes while D-line standout Victor Villareal is among the national leaders in total tackles.
The Eagles will depend on QB Dalton Holst to move the offense. A 2019 Harlon Hill nominee (the DII equivalent of the Heisman Trophy), Holst is on track to rewrite the Chadron passing record-book. The Eagles have two deep threats in Chad Mickelson and Montel Gladney-- each averaging 18-yards or better per catch in 2021. Running back Elijiah Myles gained over 1,000 yards in his last full season and has averaged 80-plus per game so far this season, but the Eagles are averaging an anemic 3.5 yards per carry-- one of the lowest in DII.
The Coaches
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Josh Kirkland is in his first year as a head coach and is 1-3 to with the Cowboy program. He was previously the assistant head coach and running backs coach at DI Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX.
Chadron coach Jay Long is in his tenth season with the Eagles. Long spent three seasons as the head coach at Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D., where he guided the Yellow Jackets through the transition from the NAIA to the NCAA with a 15-15 record before coming to Chadron State in 2012. His overall career record, including his time at BHSU, is 63-46.
The Series
The history of the NMHU-CSC match-up has been lopsided in the Eagles favor. Since Long's arrival in 2012, the Eagles are 7-1 against the Cowboys with the lone Highlands victory coming back in 2015 with a 24-16 road win at Elliot Field in Chadron.
Weather
Heavy rains are predicted for Las Vegas both Thursday and Friday, but conditions are expected to improve by game-time Saturday with temperatures into the mid-60's and light winds.
Ticket Information:
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General Admission: $10
Child (12 & under): FREE
Seniors (65+): $8
NMHU Students: FREE
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*All tickets must be purchased or redeemed online here prior to each event.
NO CASH PURCHASES.
Fan Reminders
We would like to remind everyone that pets, tobacco, outside food and drink, and alcohol are prohibited within Sanchez Stadium.
New Mexico Highlands asks that no sunflower seeds or pistachio seeds be used inside the stadium complex.
Live Stats and Streaming Information:
New Mexico Highlands University on the RMAC Network
