Las Vegas, New Mexico - The Cowboys look to close the 2026 campaign on a high note as they travel to Golden for a 12:00 pm game at Colorado School of Mines.
NMHU is 4-6 overall and 2-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after beating Adams State last Saturday on Senior Day in Las Vegas. .
COACH KURT TAUFA'ASAU: Kurt Taufa'asau is in his third season as head football coach at New Mexico Highlands University in 2026 after being named to the position on May 29, 2024.
Taufa'asau earned his first victory at New Mexico Highlands on October 12, 2024, guiding the Cowboys to a thrilling 33-30 Homecoming win over Chadron State at Sanchez Family Stadium.
In his second season at the helm, Taufa'asau guided the Cowboys to a 6-5 record, their highest win total since 2012. New Mexico Highlands opened the 2025 season with a 3-0 record, the program's best start since 2011. The Cowboys also defeated in-state rivals Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico in the same season for the first time since 2012. Running back Jeffery Jones and safety Trevor Romaldo earned All-America honors following the season, marking the program's first football All-Americans under Taufa'asau.
Prior to his arrival in Las Vegas, Taufa'asau served as head coach at New Mexico Military Institute for three seasons, compiling a 27-10 overall record and a 15-6 mark in Southwest Junior College Football Conference play. He led the Broncos to a 12-1 record and the NJCAA Division I National Championship in 2021.
A native of Pago Pago, American Samoa, Taufa'asau began his collegiate playing career at New Mexico Military Institute, earning First Team All-Western States Football League honors as a defensive lineman in 2009. He later continued his career at the University of Wyoming, where he played during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and earned a degree in sociology. Following his collegiate career, Taufa'asau spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.
Taufa'asau began his coaching career in 2015 as the defensive line coach at Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah. He returned to New Mexico Military Institute in 2016 in the same role and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2019 while continuing to coach the defensive line. That season, he helped guide the Broncos to the SWJCFC Championship Game, marking the program's first appearance after just four seasons in the conference.
COACH TAUFA'ASAU NMHU 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
-
Defeated both Eastern New Mexico and Western New Mexico in the same season for the first time since 2012.
-
Six wins were the most for the program since 2012.
-
Finished No. 5 nationally in rushing offense.
-
Swept the RMAC Freshman of the Year honors.
- Received a three-year contract extension following the 2025 season.
TURNAROUND: Under Coach Taufa'asau's guidance, NMHU Football improved from two wins in 2024 to six wins in 2025, the eighth-best year-over-year improvement among NCAA Division II football programs.
2026 RMAC PRESEASON POLL: New Mexico Highlands University, 6-5 overall and 4-5 in the RMAC a year ago, was picked to finish sixth in this year's poll with 31 points in voting by the conference's 10 head coaches.
Dawson Chapman and Dontaivious Nelson were named to the Preseason All-RMAC Team. Chapman appeared in all 11 games last season for the Cowboys, recording 18 tackles, while Nelson was named the RMAC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.
The Orediggers were tabbed for a third place finish in the voting by the league's coaches.
OWEN SMITH - PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Smith became the first RMAC athlete with five touchdowns in a game this season – and the sixth in Division II – leading the Cowboys to a 42-34 victory against Adams State. He ran for two touchdowns in a 20-carry, 150-yard performance that included a go-ahead 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Smith also had four receptions for 55 yards and three touchdowns, including a victory-securing 31-yard touchdown reception. He opened the game's scoring with a 16-yard touchdown reception and closed the first quarter's scoring with a five-yard touchdown reception, giving NMHU a 14-11 lead. Smith then added a one-yard TD run in the third quarter before providing touchdowns on back-to-back NMHU drives in the fourth. Smith is the third Cowboy to earn RMAC Offensive Player of the Week honors joining Kaydn Parr and Collin Stucki on the list.
SCOUTING THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS: The Colorado School of Mines enters play Saturday at 6-3-1 overall and 6-2 in the RMAC.
Head Coach Bob Stitt is in his 17th season at the Colorado School of Mines.
OREDIGGERS/COWBOYS SERIES NOTES:
The Orediggers hold a 32-26-2 in the series history dating back to the 1938 season
Last Colorado School of Mines win was on November 1, 2025, 48-21 in Golden
Last NMHU win was on September 22, 2012, 42-37 in Las Vegas
BY THE NUMBERS: Through 10 games NMHU Ranks
Points per game: 33.1/Game 3rd RMAC/39th NCAA
Total Offense: 449.6 yards 3rd RMAC/19th NCAA
Rushing Yards: 207.9 yards 2nd RMAC/24th NCAA
HOMEGROWN COWBOYS: Once again this season Coach Taufa'asau and his staff diligently recruited their home state as the 2026 New Mexico Highlands football roster features over 40 players who played high school football in the state of New Mexico.
LAND OF ENCHANTMENT RIVALS: For the fourth consecutive year, the Cowboys play their two instate rivals in non-conference games.
New Mexico Highlands University announced a four-year scheduling agreement with Western New Mexico University and Eastern New Mexico earlier this year, extending both of those football series between the in-state rivals through the 2029 season.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: NMHU is a cashless campus. All purchases must be made using debit/credit cards or mobile payment.
NMHU has implemented a strict clear bag policy for all on-campus events.
No outside food or drinks are permitted in Sanchez Family Stadium.
No pets are allowed in Sanchez Family Stadium.
