Silver City, New Mexico - The Cowboys dropped a 36-33 decision at Western New Mexico on Saturday night in the 13th edition of La Batalla Bowl. With the win the Mustangs take possession of "A Warriors Helmet" trophy from NMHU for the first time since 2019.
Neither team had a lead of greater than seven points on Saturday evening as the game turned into a back and forth affair. WNMU scored first, six minutes into the opening quarter. The Cowboys answered back with a
Jacob Ledesma IV touchdown reception on a pass from
Joey Cave.
After the Mustangs scored to make it 14-7 with 8:45 remaining in the second quarter,
Joey Cave scored on a 22 yard touchdown scamper to tie the game at 14-14.
The Mustangs outscored NMHU in the third quarter to lead 28-21 going into the fourth.
Mason Peterson scored the Cowboys third quarter touchdown on a 13 yard run.
In the fourth quarter the Cowboys scored a pair of touchdowns four minutes a part to grab a 36-33 lead.
Mason Peterson took a pass from
Jeliun Carter 17 yards for a score at the 8:07 mark. On the following drive, Carter found
Nathan Lopez for a 21 yard score. The extra point attempt was missed on both fourth quarter touchdowns for NMHU.
WNMU took the lead for good when they scored to make it 36-33 with just 49 seconds remaining in the game.
Cowboy quarterback
Joey Cave was 21 of 29 for 198 yards and a touchdown through the air. Cave added 54 yards and a score on the ground.
Jeliun Carter threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter off the bench.
Mason Peterson led the Cowboys with 64 yards on the ground. He scored a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the game.
Mike Jones and
Maurice Newton combined for 145 yards on kickoff returns for NMHU.
The Cowboys open RMAC play next Saturday afternoon at South Dakota Mines. Kick off in Rapid City is at 1:00 pm.
