Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowboys topped South Dakota Mines 48-42 in overtime on Saturday afternoon in front of a vocal Homecoming crowd at Sanchez Family Stadium. With the win, NMHU improves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. South Dakota Mines remains win less at 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
Once again this week, the Cowboys started fast as they led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter and 28-14 at the halftime break. They pushed that lead to 42-21 after three quarters of play only to allow the Hardrockers to score 21 unanswered points in the final quarter, the last touchdown coming with just 14 seconds remaining in regulation, to force overtime.
In the overtime period the Cowboy defense stiffened as they stopped South Dakota Mines on downs at the one yard line.
The Cowboys were forced to start the overtime possession on the Hardrocker 40 yard line to a dead ball penalty after the defense made the goal line stop. After six straight rushing plays the Cowboys punched in the winning score on a
Tevita Valeti touchdown from inside the one yard line.
The Cowboys out gained South Dakota Mines 552-511.
As a team the Cowboys rushed for 342 yards on 43 carries (7.9/carry).
Jeffery Jones had 228 yards and a touchdown,
Mason Peterson had 53 yards on eight carries, and
Tevita Valeti went for 33 yards on 11 carries and the game winning score.
Ike Udengwu and
Mike Jones connected on three scoring plays of 40 yards, 22, yards, and 10 yards on Saturday. Udengwu ended the day 14 of 25 for 214 yards and four touchdown passes. Jones caught seven passes for 116 yards on the afternoon.
Mike Jones also added a 99 yard kick-off return for a touchdown at the end of the third quarter.
Defensively, sophomore defensive lineman
Keenan Carter picked off a South Dakota Mines pass and returned it 28 yards to end a Hardrocker drive in the second quarter.
Kamuela Miller also had an interception in the third quarter.
Awsten Turnbow had 10 tackles to lead NMHU.
Up next the Cowboys travel to Gunnison, Colorado, for a match up with nationally ranked Western Colorado. Kick-off on Saturday is at 1:00 pm.
NOTES:
The Cowboys are 3-0 for the first time since 2011 when they beat Eastern New Mexico, Panhandle State, and Colorado Mines to open the season.
Through three games,
Ike Udengwu leads the RMAC with a 187.7 passer efficiency rating.
The Cowboys lead the RMAC averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
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