Heath Ridenour Named LSC South Offensive Player-of-the-Week NOTE: Pronunciation – Ridenour (RYE-din-our)

Date: 9/12/2002
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
Reporter: Robert McKinney

PORTALES – Eastern New Mexico University senior quarterback Heath Ridenour (Lovington, NM/Lovington HS) has been named Lone Star Conference South Division Offensive Player-of-the-Week for his efforts in Eastern's 27-20 victory over Western New Mexico University on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Greyhound Stadium.

Ridenour was involved in two touchdowns, including a 14-yard pass to Taryll Boxton (Sr., RB, Albuquerque, NM/Del Norte HS) for the winning touchdown with 1:13 remaining in the game.

Ridenour's first touchdown gave the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead just 1:39 into the game, when he scampered 50 yards to the end zone. WNMU rallied for a 14-13 halftime lead, and extended its advantage to 20-13 with a pair of second-half field goals. Ridenour responded by leading the Greyhounds on two drives in the final 10 minutes to win the game.

First, he took the Hounds on a 9-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Boxton with 7:30 remaining. After Eastern's next possession, the Hounds pinned Western at its own 6-yard line following a 42-yard coffin corner punt. The Mustangs were forced to punt, and ENMU took over at the Western 38-yard line. Three plays later, Ridenour hit Boxton with the winning TD strike.

Ridenour was the game's leading rusher with 15 carries for 161 yards. He currently leads the Lone Star Conference in rushing yards per game. He also connected on 5 of 11 passes for 69 yards, giving him 230 yards of total offense during the game.