The play set up a touchdown, which allowed ENMU to enter halftime of Saturday night's Wagon Wheel Game against West Texas A&M (3-2; LSC 2-1) down just 28-14. Eastern exploded for 25 second half points to earn a 39-30 win over the Buffaloes in Lone Star Conference action at Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium.
"Adjustments, offense and defense," said ENMU Head Coach Josh Lynn of how the Greyhounds came from behind to win the Wagon Wheel for the third time in the last four seasons. "Our coordinators did a good job of making adjustments. We went into half and made our offensive and defensive adjustments coordinately. Specifically offensive adjustments.
After ENMU stopped WT on a fourth-down try in the opening quarter, Kamal Cass went 38 yards on Eastern's first play from scrimmage to stake Eastern to a 7-0 lead. After the Buffaloes responded with a run from Devon Paye, Buffalo quarterback Ethan Brinkley responded masterfully with three touchdown drives, with tosses to Ja'Quarius Daniels, Junior Pomee, and Trent Canion to give WT the 28-7 lead. The flea flicker set up the Hounds touchdown before halftime.
The Hounds received the ball to open the second half and ran the ball on eight of the ensuing nine plays, with Gallagher scoring on a two-yard run. On the fifth play of WT's next drive, Caleb Ortiz forced a fumble which was recovered by Jordan Fuamatu at the Greyhound 42-yard line. Eight plays later, Paul Terry scored from 13 yards out to pull the Hounds within 28-26.
On the ensuing kickoff, ENMU's Charles Stevens forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jerry Granados, which set the Hounds up at their own 48-yard line. On the first play of the drive, a reverse to Aaron Johnson netted 33 yards. Four carries from Gallagher later, ENMU took a 32-28 lead, although the Buffaloes returned the conversion attempt to pill within 32-30. The turnovers allowed Eastern to hold a 12:29-2:31 edge in time of possession during the third quarter,
The Hounds held the ball for 37:57 of play and rushed for 433 yards. Gallagher paced ENMU with 122 rushing yards, while Tayshaun Gary 119 yards. Brinkley passed for 345 yards and three scores for the Buffaloes. Frank Honang led the Buffaloes with 11 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Brad Hardin had nine tackles and an interception.
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will visit University of Texas of the Permian Basin next Saturday, while West Texas A&M will host Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Notes
- The contest marked the first time the Wagon Wheel has been contested in an on-campus stadium in Portales. Eastern had played the West Texas A&M freshman team a number of times on-campus in the 1930's
- Gallagher's previous career high was 12 rushing yards, against Angelo State last week
