Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Hounds look to avoid letdown at UTPB

Staff writer

[email protected]

Following last week’s emotional 39-30 comeback victory over rival West Texas A&M to reclaim the Wagon Wheel, Eastern New Mexico University’s football team looks to extend its winning streak to three as it visits Lone Star Conference newcomer Texas-Permian Basin today in a 6 p.m. (MDT) start at Odessa, Texas.

The Falcons (2-3, 0-3 LSC) are on a three-game losing streak. However, both wins have come at home, so ENMU coach Josh Lynn wants to make sure his squad doesn’t come in overconfident.

“We just have to continue to work hard,” Lynn said. “They’re extremely well-coached. Their defensive line is one of the better ones we’ve seen.

“We’ve seen lots of film on them. All we have to do is continue to do what we did in practice this week and the week before, so a lot of the focus is on us.”

Statistically, this is a game ENMU (3-2, 3-1) hopes it can dominate as the Greyhounds are facing the LSC’s worst scoring defense (40.8 ppg). The interesting note is UTPB has the conference’s fourth-best rush defense (148.0 ypg) but the second-worst passing defense (300.4 ypg).

Logic might indicate that ENMU should air the ball, but Lynn said the Hounds won’t abandon their triple-option offense. ENMU is ranked second in rushing in NCAA Division II (366.4 ypg), and leads the LSC by a margin of more than 150 yards.

“With us, we’re a different beast,” Lynn said. “We’re going to try to run the ball. We may have a little more play-action involved. but we’re still always going to try to establish the running game.”

Last week, ENMU junior running back and Clovis High grad Kamal Cass left the game with an injury. Lynn said his return this week is still questionable and will probably be a game-time decision.

Even though Cass is currently 13th in Division II with 640 rushing yards, Lynn said that should Cass be unable to go, he “absolutely” will give Cass’ replacement last week, Chivasiay Gallagher, more carries after he accounted for 123 yards and two TDs on the ground against the Buffaloes.

UTPB quarterback Kameron Mathis can throw the ball, with freshman wide receiver Terrell Davidson leading the team with 19 catches for 300 yards and a pair of scores.

“He’s a good, tall, lanky receiver,” Lynn said of Davidson. “We need to watch out for him.”

Other Falcons threats on offense are running back Brandon Infiesto, who has 486 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and wide receiver Mitchell Leonard, who has 14 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns