Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowboys took care of Fort Lewis on Saturday on Senior Day, 31-14, in their final home game of the season at Sanchez Family Stadium.
NMHU rushed the ball 53 times for 304 yards in Saturday's victory. Per usual,
Tevita Valeti and
Jeffery Jones carried the load. The offensive line was dominant in the trenches controlling the line of scrimmage all game.
Coach
Kurt Taufa'asau said this when asked about his offensive line play this season, "That's one thing that we figured out really quickly last year was to compete in the RMAC, you have to beef up front on both sides of the ball."
The Cowboys never trailed in the victory, taking a 10-7 lead at halftime.
Jeffery Jones had 192 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns, while
Tevita Valeti scored the first Cowboys touchdown of the day with 72 yards and a pair of touchdowns as well.
Freshman quarterback
Collin Stucki had 10 completions with 79 yards through the air. The Cowboys' run game was so dominant that Stucki only dropped back to pass 15 times.
The Cowboys' defense came to play, forcing four Skyhawk turnovers, including two interceptions by senior
Trevor Romaldo and two strip sacks.
"Huge, I mean, that's what we predicate ourselves on defense. That all starts with the pressure up front." Coach Taufa'asau said when asked about how much winning the turnover battle means in games.
Up next for the Cowboys is the season finale against Black Hills State next Saturday in Spearfish, South Dakota.
When asked about the seniors this season and guys who stuck around through coaching changes and all four years in the purple and white, like senior
Kioni Benally.
"I just talked to him in there; he's in there, a warrior. He said he was very appreciative and thankful for us coaches. He's been here three years, and he's only won six or seven games. And then we got here and exceeded that in just 15 months. Yeah, I'm just happy for those types of kids. Those kids who stuck around believed in what we're doing, sending them off on a high note and a guaranteed winning season, that's a big thing," concluded Taufa'asau.
Game Notes:
The Cowboys have won seven of the last eight games over Fort Lewis.
The Cowboys' six wins this season are the most since the 2012 squad posted eight.
Senior
Trevor Romaldo had two more interceptions Saturday afternoon. He now leads the RMAC seven.
Freshman
Jeffery Jones is 72 yards shy of the New Mexico Highlands single-season rushing record of 1,621 yards set by former Cowboy great Thelbert Withers in the 1992 season.
Sophomore
Tevita Valeti has 17 rushing touchdowns in his NMHU career.
