by Michael Rowse
The Warrior Helmet has become the symbol of hard fought closely contested gridiron battles between intrastate rivals Western New Mexico University and New Mexico Highlands University. It rarely matters what the teams' records are when the two meet on the field, it usually is an exciting game that isn't decided until the last minute. This year however, the issue was determined well before the first quarter ended as WNMU gave up possession of the traveling trophy losing to NMHU 58-0 in Las Vegas.
The game figured to be an offensive show of shows as Western and Highlands both boasted 2 of the top offenses in the nation; each averaging over 460 yards of offense and 32 points a game. The Mustangs are lead by Fr. Mitch Glasmann while Jr. QB Emmanuel Lewis guides the Highlands offense. Both are tops in the RMAC and in the top 10 in the nation in passing categories. WNMU has the best receiving corp in the nation and boasts a top running game. But expectations are just that, expectations not reality.
Highland came out of the gate swinging take their first two possessions into the end zone after putting together 75 yard drives. Lewis found WR Darius Davis to cap off both drives. Meanwhile, WNMU couldn't put much offense together and had to punt on their first two chances. The Stang defense stiffened when it counted, giving up yards but not scores until midway through the 2nd quarter when running back Eric Woods toted the ball 2 yards and then 1 yard on consecutive possessions putting Highlands up 28 to 0 at the intermission.
WNMU faced a similar situation last year against Adams State University and came roaring out of the break to score 39 points in the second half. With Western receiving to start the half, fans hoped for a repeat of that performance. Sadly, it was to be more of the what they saw in the first half. The Mustangs struggled to move the ball and were forced to punt on their first chance; a theme that continued throughout the game. Highlands would score 30 more points in the second stanza as Lewis and his offense moved the ball up and down the field.
Highlands would put up 630 yards of total offense; 256 rushing and 374 passing. WNMU struggled to find any offense using 3 QBs with no success. Western had only 85 yards of offense as Glasmann, Antoine Young and Grant Jordan combined to complete 8 of 35 pass attempts. The Stang running game was a bit better but Western was forced to pass as they got behind early and Highlands began blitzing which ultimately hurt the running stats.
WNMU finishes the season at 4-7 overall, 3-6 in RMAC play. 13 seniors will graduate including All American WR Marquis Sumpter and CBs Kameron Drawhorn and Bernard Williams, 2 of the best in the conference. But the cupboards are far from bare, and Coach Clark and his staff are already getting to work building for next season.
