Football Hosts Homecoming Game Saturday Afternoon

Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowboys host Chadron State College this Saturday afternoon for the 2024 Homecoming Game in Las Vegas. NMHU is 0-5 overall and 0-3 in the RMAC.

COACH TAUFA'ASAU: Taufa'asau was named the head football coach at New Mexico Highlands on May 29th. He comes to Las Vegas after a very successful tenure at New Mexico Military Institute where he compiled a 27-10 record and led the Broncos to the 2021 NJCAA Division National Championship. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Taufa'asau played for the Cowboys in 2011 and 2012. After his career in Laramie, he spent time with the Raiders, Titans and Colts.

COWBOYS AT A GLANCE: NMHU lost at CSU-Pueblo 67-28 last Saturday afternoon in Colorado. Joey Cave was seven of twelve for 48 yards and three touchdown passes. He added 128 rushing yards on 13 carries. Tevita Valeti had 94 yards rushing on 20 carries. Cayden Walton had eight carries for 63 yards and a score.

Logan Duran had five tackles to lead the Cowboys.

"We learned a lot against Pueblo," said Head Coach Kurt Taufa'asau. "I hope we take these lessons and continue to build for the future."

On the return of Joey Cave to the line-up, Taufa'asau said, "Having Joey back in Pueblo really helped. We benefited from the veteran leadership."

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: The Cowboys currently rank fifth in the RMAC scoring at 25.8 points per game. On the defensive side, they are allowing 51.8 per outing.

Tevita Valeti is third in the RMAC in rushing at 73.8 yards per game.

Mike Jones is third in the RMAC with 25.6 return yards per game.

Maurice Newton is sixth in the RMAC with 8.6 punt return and seventh with 21.3 kick return yards per game.

Teneil Nichols is fifth in the RMAC with 61.0 receiving yards per game.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES: Chadron State is 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the RMAC after beating Adams State 52-3 last weekend in Nebraska.

Jay Long is in his 13th season at the helm of the Eagles. He has a career record of 76-74 at Chadron State.

The Eagles are averaging 18.0 points per game offensively and lead the RMAC while allowing just 12.4 points per game.

Jake Marshall leads the Eagles with 64.0 rushing yards per game.

"We're looking forward to playing Chadron on Saturday,' said Head Coach Kurt Taufa'asau. "It's Homecoming and it will be good to meet the Alumni who come back to Las Vegas. And I am happy we are recognizing the 1981 Championship Team."

FOLLOW THE COWBOYS: If you're not able to attend Saturday's game in Las Vegas, links for the RMAC Network broadcast and LiveStats from Saturday's game can be found at NMHUAthletics.com

RMAC NETWORK: Ten of the Cowboys' eleven games this season will be broadcast on the RMAC Network. New Mexico Broadcaster of the Year Scott Galetti returns as the Voice of the Cowboys this season.

NEW MEXICO REPRESENTED: This year's NMHU football roster features 44 players who hail from a New Mexico High School, including seven who are tabbed as starters on this week's Two-Deep Roster.

RMAC POLL: New Mexico Highlands University, 2-9 overall and 1-8 in the RMAC a year ago, was picked to finish ninth in the poll with 18 points in voting by the ten conference football coaches.

UP NEXT: The Cowboys travel to Grand Junction next Saturday to play Colorado Mesa at 1:00 pm.

COWBOY TICKETS: Single game tickets for NMHU Football and Volleyball are available for purchase at NMHUAthletics.com/tickets.