Las Vegas, New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands used a big second quarter and four touchdown passes from Kadyn Parr to earn a 44-36 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over Black Hills State Saturday afternoon at Sanchez Family Stadium.

The win improved the Cowboys to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in RMAC play, while Black Hills State dropped to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

New Mexico Highlands struck first when Daniel Estrada connected on a 42-yard field goal less than three minutes into the game. Black Hills State answered with a touchdown, but the Cowboys responded when Parr found Asaiah Smith for a 24-yard touchdown to give New Mexico Highlands a 9-7 advantage.

The Yellow Jackets immediately regained the lead on a 95-yard kickoff return, but the Cowboys took control in the second quarter.

Otis Reed capped a 13-play, 74-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run early in the period to put New Mexico Highlands back in front, 16-14. Parr then connected with Brian Spotwood II for a 56-yard touchdown before finding Ryan Hamilton from 20 yards out with just four seconds remaining in the half. The three unanswered touchdowns sent the Cowboys into halftime with a 30-14 advantage.

New Mexico Highlands extended the lead to 37-14 late in the third quarter when Parr connected with Maurice Collier Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown. Black Hills State scored on the final play of the quarter and added another touchdown with 8:53 remaining to cut the Cowboys' advantage to 37-28.

With Black Hills State attempting to complete the comeback, the New Mexico Highlands defense came up with another turnover. Kaleb Harris recorded his second interception of the afternoon, setting the Cowboys up at the Yellow Jackets' 19-yard line.

Five plays later, Reed scored his second one-yard touchdown of the game to extend the lead to 44-28 with 3:40 remaining.

Black Hills State answered with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 44-36 with 1:43 left, but New Mexico Highlands closed out the victory.

Parr finished 20-of-31 passing for 315 yards and four touchdowns while also leading the Cowboys with 64 rushing yards. Kerya Powell led a balanced receiving corps with six catches for 88 yards. Spotwood II, Smith, Hamilton and Collier Jr. each caught touchdown passes, while Reed scored twice on the ground.

New Mexico Highlands finished with 434 yards of total offense, including 315 through the air, and averaged 6.2 yards per play.

The Cowboys overcame another penalty-filled afternoon, drawing 18 flags for 167 yards. New Mexico Highlands has been penalized 35 times for 350 yards over its last two games after being flagged 17 times for 183 yards last week at Fort Lewis.

The Cowboy defense forced four turnovers, intercepting Black Hills State three times and recovering a fumble. Harris accounted for two of the interceptions, while Sam Lokeni added the third. Dontaivious Nelson led New Mexico Highlands with 10 tackles, and Kaleb Sells recorded a sack.

New Mexico Highlands returns to action Saturday, September 26th, when the Cowboys travel to Rapid City, SD, to face South Dakota Mines.  Kick-off is set for 1:00 pm.

NOTES:  

• The Cowboys snapped a three game losing streak to Black Hills State with Saturday's win.
• New Mexico Highlands improved to 4-3 all-time against the Yellow Jackets in Las Vegas.
• Saturday's 315 passing yards were the most for NMHU since November 12, 2022, against Colorado Mesa.
• The Cowboys scored on four of their five trips inside the red zone on Saturday.