The New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys open the 2023 RMAC portion of the schedule with a 2:00 pm game at Fort Lewis College in Durango. The Cowboys enter the contest with a record of 1-1 having lost to Eastern New Mexico to start the season and defeated Western New Mexico a week ago in Las Vegas. Fort Lewis is 0-2 after road losses at William Jewell College and Arizona Christian University.
The Series: Saturday's game in Durango marks the 52nd meeting between the Cowboys and the Skyhawks with NMHU holding a 32-19 edge in the previous meetings. The Cowboys have won three in a row over the Skyhawks including last year's 27-3 win on September 17th in Las Vegas.
Scouting Fort Lewis: The Skyhawks are averaging 15.5 points and 327 per game in 2023. Fort Lewis is third in the RMAC in time of possession at 31:16 per game. Defensively they have forced three fumbles. The Skyhawks are led by Head Coach Johnny Cox, a 1994 graduate of Fort Lewis College.
"Fort Lewis College is a lot like us," Said Coach Hudson. "They are much better than they were a year ago. They are playing a lot of young guys. You can see this team learning and growing. Coach Cox is a first class man and a really good football coach," Hudson continued. "With time and support he will get this program back to winning."
Hudson File: Head Coach
Ron Hudson is in his second season at the helm of the Cowboys. Coach Hudson was introduced as the Head Coach at NMHU on January 6th, 2022. He is a graduate of Muskingum College (OH) where he was a four-year starting center for the Fighting Muskies football team.
Last Outing: New Mexico Highlands raced out to a 28-0 at the end of the first quarter enroute to a 48-42 win over Western New Mexico University Saturday night in Las Vegas. The Cowboys racked up 431 yards of total offense in the victory led by Shawntay Mills Jr who gained 131 yards on the ground.
Joey Cave threw touchdown passes to Mateo Jiminez and
Teneil Nichols. Cave and Tyree-Styles Obichere added rushing touchdowns. Defensively the Cowboys added their second defensive score in as many games when
Mark Simon II returned an interception 29 yards for a score.
"Our goal was to start differently than we started a week ago," said Coach Hudson. "Our kids played really well, they came out and played hard. I think we overwhelmed Western New Mexico in the first quarter. Our defense is playing well, forcing turnovers."
RMAC TALK: When asked about the RMAC two weeks into the season, Coach Hudson said, "I think there was a lack of respect nationally for the conference when you look at the preseason polls." Hudson continued, "This is the most balanced conference in the country. The coaching is second to none and the talent level is on the increase. The teams in the conference play hard and compete every week."
Roster Break Down: This year's edition of the Cowboy's roster features 39 freshmen, 14 sophomores, 24 juniors, and 22 Seniors. 13 different states are represented on this year's roster with California (32), New Mexico (31), and Texas (16) leading the way.
Up Next: The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference home opener for the Cowboys is next Saturday afternoon when the Hardrockers from South Dakota School of Mines come to Las Vegas for a 12:00 pm game at the Sanchez Family Stadium.
Home Schedule: The Cowboys will play six games in the friendly confines of the Sanchez Family Stadium in Las Vegas in 2023. Season tickets for the upcoming season are available now at
NMHU Tickets.
Keep Up With The Cowboys: For all the latest news on NMHU Football, log on to
NMHUAthletics.com and be sure to follow the team on X
@NMHUFootball.
