Cowboys Host Western New Mexico On Saturday

Las Vegas, New Mexico - The New Mexico Highlands Cowboys open the home portion of the 2025 season this Saturday evening as they host Western New Mexico University in the 2025 LaBatalla Bowl. Kick-off at Sanchez Family Stadium is at 6:00 pm.

The Cowboys are 1-0 entering play on Saturday after a 34-28 win over Eastern New Mexico in Portales. The Mustangs used a strong second half to upend Adams State 35-21 on Saturday night in Silver City.

COACH KURT TAUFA'ASAU: 2025 marks the second season at the helm for Coach Taufa'asau at the helm of the NMHU football program after being named head coach on May 29, 2024. Taufa'asau earned his first career win at NMHU when he led the Cowboys to a thrilling 33-30 win on October 12th of last season in front of raucous Home Coming Crowd in historic Las Vegas. NMHU scored two touchdowns in the last 6:54 of that game to earn the win. Prior to coming to New Mexico Highlands Taufa'asau was the head coach at New Mexico Military Institute where led the Broncos to the 2021 NJCAA Division I National Championship.

2025 RMAC PRESEASON POLL: New Mexico Highlands University, 2-9 overall and 2-7 in the RMAC a year ago, was picked to finish tied for 7th, with Chadron State, in the poll with 31 points in voting by the ten conference football coaches.

Sophomore running back Tevita Valeti, the 2024 Freshman Offensive Player of the year in the RMAC, was named to the Preseason All-RMAC Team. Valeti finished second among all RMAC backs last season with 880 rushing yards on a league-high 166 carries and eight touchdowns.

LAST TIME OUT: After a sluggish first half the Cowboys scored 21 third quarter points to beat Eastern New Mexico 34-28 in Portales to open the 2025 season. Under the leadership of senior quarterback Ike Udengwu, NMHU used a dominant rushing attack and a couple of big pass plays to roll-up 474 yards in total offense in the win. The Cowboy defense came up big as they stuffed ENMU on the one yard line to force a turnover on downs and Trevor Romaldo came up with an interception as time expired to seal the Cowboy win. Thursday's win was the first over ENMU since the 2013 season.

JONES, PART I: Consider that freshman running back Jeffery Jones had five yards on one carry in the first half of Thursday's win at Eastern New Mexico…and ended the game with 227 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. He was rewarded with RMAC Offensive Player of the Week and NCAA DII Freshman of the Week for his efforts. Jones currently leads the nation with 11.74 yards per carry and he is third in the nation with 223 rushing yards per game.

JONES, PART II: Senior wide receiver Mike Jones hauled in a pair of long touchdown receptions from Ike Udengwu in Thursday night's win. Jones got the Cowboys on the board in the waning seconds of the first half on a 57 yard scoring reception. He hit pay dirt again in the third quarter when Udengwu found him for a 53 score. Jones is number two in the country in yards per reception (55 yards/catch).

MUSTANGS/COWBOYS SERIES NOTES:
Last WNMU win September 14th, 2024, 36-30 in Silver City
Last NMHU win September 9th, 2023, 48-42 in Las Vegas
WNMU won the first game in the long-time series 13-0 in 1934

LA BATALLA BOWL: Saturday night marks the 13th edition of La Batalla Bowl. The winner of the game claims "A Warrior's Helmet" which was first awarded in 2007. The Mustangs hold an 8-5 edge in La Batalla Bowl history.

La Batalla Bowl History
2024 WNMU 36-33 in Silver City
2023 NMHU 48-42 in Las Vegas
2021 NMHU 31-28 in Silver City
2019 WNMU 23-17 in Las Vegas
2015 WNMU 38-37 in Silver City
2014 NMHU 59-38 in Las Vegas
2013 WNMU 43-14 in Silver City
2012 NMHU 58-0 in Las Vegas
2011 WNMU 25-18 in Silver City
2010 WNMU 38-13 in Las Vegas
2009 WNMU 50-30 in Silver City
2008 NMHU 17-14 in Las Vegas
2007 WNMU 29-16 in Silver City

HOMEGROWN COWBOYS: Once again this season Coach Taufa'asau and his staff diligently recruited their home state as the 2025 New Mexico Highlands football roster features 45 players who played high school football in the state of New Mexico. Several of those players are on the Two Deep for Saturday's games highlighted by senior Kioni Benally, a four year starter at offensive tackle.

LAND OF ENCHANTMENT RIVALS: For the third consecutive year, the Cowboys play their two instate rivals in non-conference games.

UP NEXT: Homecoming 2025! After a week off the Cowboys host South Dakota Mines at 1:00 pm on September 20th in this year's homecoming game. Once again this year the NMHU Foundation has an outstanding week of activities planned for Homecoming, see all the exciting details at Homecoming 2025.

RMAC NETWORK: All 10 of the remaining games on the schedule will be broadcast on the RMAC Network with New Mexico Broadcaster of the Year Scott Galetti returning as the Voice of the Cowboys for all the games in historic Las Vegas this season. Visit RMACNetwork.com for information on purchasing a subscription so you can follow the Cowboys all season long.

SEASON TICKETS: Season tickets for the five Cowboy home games are on sale now…purchase your tickets at NMHUAthletics.com/Tickets!

CLEAR BAG POLICY: NMHU has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for all on-campus events.