by Michael Rowse

Western New Mexico traveled to Chadron NE Saturday for a matchup with the 2nd place team in the RMAC, the Eagles of Chadron State College. For three quarters it appeared WNMU might be able to get their first ever win against the Eagles but CSC surged in the final stanza to pull out the win 41-23. Up to that point, WNMU had answered every challenge the Eagles put forth and became the first team this season to lead in a game at Chadron; the Eagles had not trailed at home all season.

WNMU put Chadron on notice early that the Mustangs were going to pull out all the stops by recovering an onside kick to open the game. When the opening drive appeared to stall, the Mustangs faked the punt but came about six inches short of gaining the first down. The Mustang defense then stopped Chadron deep in Mustang territory. Western would get the first score as Josh McIntire hit a 22 yard field goal to cap off a 7 play 68 yard drive. The home team would answer on the next possession when Kyle Vinich made an acrobatic 7 yard catch in the end zone to put the Eagles up 7-3.

A couple of possessions later, Bernard Williams returned a punt 51 yards to the Eagle 6 yard line. John De La Rosa took the ball to pay dirt on the next play as WNMU regained the lead, 10-7. But a pattern was developing as Chadron State took the ball down the field in 7 plays and tied the game on an Alex Ferdinand 35 yard field goal. A wild second quarter was just getting started. The Stangs then marched 75 yards in 8 plays as Mitch Glasmann hit Marquis Sumpter for a 37 yard TD pass to give WNMU the lead once again, 17-10. On the next drive, Chadron was held to a field goal as Ferdinand nailed a 40 yard kick. It looked like WNMU was going to run out as they had the ball deep in their own territory, but Western was forced to punt and CSC was able to get a 58 yard strike on a broken play as Jon McClain found Chapman Ham for a TD. CSC took the lead into the intermission, 20-17.

Western New Mexico would receive the ball first in the third stanza and engineered an impressive 9 play, 69 yard drive. The Stangs had the ball first and goal at the Eagle 2 yard line but were unable to punch it in, settling for a McIntire 23 yard FG. The Mustang defense stiffened and kept the Eagles scoreless in the third quarter, forcing a fumble by Derrick Clinton to start the Mustang's second drive of the half. After 8 plays and 59 yards, that drive stalled as well but McIntire hit his 4th field goal of the day, a 27 yard shot adn WNMU held a 23-20 lead.

The Mustangs have won their last two games on the road going into Saturday's contest and that gave Mustang fans confidence. Chadron State wasn't going to be stopped however. Opening the fourth quarter Clinton got several long runs leading Chadron on an 8 play 59 yard march to the end zone as CSC regained the lead 27-23. Western then put together a long drive finding themselves 1st and goal at the Eagle 9 yard line. Facing 4th and goal at the 2, Glasmann handed the ball to De La Rosa but he was stopped at the 1/2 yard line. Chadron then took 3 plays to go 99 yards following another 68 yard run by Clinton on second down. A McClain to Ross TD pass put the Eagles up 34-23. A Mustang fumble then gave Chadron a chance as they went 62 yards in 5 plays for the final score; a Madkins 38 yard TD run.

Big plays have hurt the Mustangs all season long and this game was no different. Clinton ran the ball 24 times for 245 yards, more than half of which came on 4 carries. Abe Macias and De La Rosa combined for 27 carries gaining 134 yards for WNMU; Glasmann was 22-41 for 271 yards and a TD but 2 interceptions. Donald Byrd grabbed 9 passes for 94 yards while Sumpter caught 5 for 89 yards and a TD.

WNMU will be at home for the final time this season as they host Black Hills State University next Saturday. Game time is noon at Altamirano Field.