The New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys host the 2023 edition of La Batalla Bowl when Western New Mexico University visits Sanchez Family Stadium Saturday evening. Kick off is scheduled for 6:00 pm. NMHU enters the contest with a record of 0-1 while the Mustangs are 1-0.
The Series: Looking back at the last ten games in the series, the two teams are dead-locked at 5-5. NMHU won the last game played on November 20, 2021, by a 31-28 count. Spencer Richards kicked a 35 yard field goal in overtime to secure the victory for the Cowboys in Silver City.
La Batalla Bowl: Since 2007 the winner of the game between the two schools has been awarded "A Warrior's Helmet" trophy.
Scouting WNMU: The Mustangs enter Saturday's game with a 1-0 record after posting a 42-28 win over Sul Ross State on Saturday in Silver City. QB Devin Laresn had a big night for WNMU passing for 396 yards and six touchdowns. Laresen spread the ball around as three different receivers caught passes for touchdowns. Larsen was named the Lone Star Conference's Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Week 1. Western New Mexico is led by Head Coach Billy Hickman who is in his first year at the helm of the Mustangs.
"Western New Mexico is a very athletic team," said Coach Hudson. "Watching their film, they play a different style of football. It's a very explosive brand of football."
Hudson File: Thursday's games marks the start of
Ron Hudson's second season at the helm of the Cowboys.
Ron Hudson was introduced as the Head Coach at NMHU on January 6th, 2022. Coach Hudson is a graduate of Muskingum College (OH) where he was a four-year starting center for the Fighting Muskies football team.
In-State Rivals: For the first time since 2015, the Cowboys will play Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico in the same season. The 2015 contest against WNMU was the final meeting in the RMAC as the Mustangs moved to the Lone Star Conference to start the 2016 season.
"They are our rivals," said Coach Hudson, speaking about Western New Mexico and Eastern New Mexico. "Rivalries are special. Wins are sweeter and losses are much tougher."
Last Outing: New Mexico Highlands lost the season opener last Thursday in Portales 28-26. The Cowboys fell behind early and staged a furious second half rally that came up just short. Quarterback
Jonathan Jerry passed for two touchdowns and rushed for a third.
Isaiah Haywood added a score by way of a 59 yard fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.
"They (Eastern New Mexico) came out and played faster and more physically in the first 15 minutes," said Coach Hudson. "At the half, there wasn't any yelling. We talked and made adjustments and executed really well in the second half. There was no panic. I am really proud of the way we competed and rallied after falling behind."
RMAC Coaches Poll: New Mexico Highlands University earned 23 points in the 2023 RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll which was good for 8th place in the balloting of the 10 head football coaches in the conference. The Cowboys were 3-7 overall and 3-6 in the RMAC in 2022.
Roster Break Down: This year's edition of the Cowboy's roster features 39 freshman, 14 sophomores, 24 juniors, and 22 Seniors. 13 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 portion of the schedule looms after Saturday's contest with the Mustangs. The Cowboys travel to Durango, Colorado, to meet the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks next Saturday afternoon. Kick-off at Ray Dennison Memorial Field is set for 12:00 pm.
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.
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