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WNMU ends losing streak against Hounds, wins 38-24

PORTALES - Western New Mexico lost starting quarterback Devin Larsen to concussion protocol two weeks ago against West Texas A&M. Last week, backup Grant Patterson started against Texas-Permian Basin, but went out with an injury.

So third stringer Paul Armijo Jr. got the start in Saturday's Lone Star Conference and regular-season finale against Eastern New Mexico University in the "Chili Bowl" at Greyhound Stadium.

Armijo helped guide the Mustangs to a 24-7 halftime lead, then he went down early in the third frame with an injury suffered when ENMU junior Timothy Jones was called for targeting. So Patterson stepped back in and three two fourth-quarter scoring passes, and WNMU held on for a 38-24 victory to snap a 16-game losing streak against the Greyhounds, dating to a 37-7 win over ENMU at Silver City in 1993.

It was the first road win for the Mustangs (6-5,5-4 LSC) in the series since a 7-0 verdict at Blackwater Draw in 1990, and may have clinched their first winning record since going 7-3 in 1993.

"I was proud of the way we fought," second-year Mustangs coach Philip Vigil said. "It was a great team victory."

Western New Mexico scored on each of its first two possessions and never relinquished the lead while the Hounds (3-8, 2-7), coming off a last-minute win at rival West Texas A&M, were simply unable to generate much energy. Every time they chipped away, the Mustangs seemed to have an answer.

"I think it was a lack of intensity and our inability to respond after a big win," ENMU coach Tye Hiatt said. "We were very uninspired in the first half.

"We were lucky to be in the game. I think (the Mustangs) were very happy with a chance to win the Chili Bowl and have a winning season."

The Hounds took advantage of a muffed punt late in the opening stanza to cut into WNMU's early lead. Taking over at the Mustangs' 35, they scored on a 2-yard shovel pass from junior quarterback Kason Martin to junior receiver Asa Wondeh.

But Martin was sacked in the end zone for a safety midway through the second quarter, and Armijo - who was carted off the field after taking the hit from Jones but was doing relatively well after the game, Vigil said - completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to senior wide-out David Telles with just over a minute left in the half to stretch the lead.

Sophomore running back Howard Russell broke through bodies in the line and raced 54 yards to the end zone early in the third segment, and Kason Martin found sophomore Jace Martin - no relation - for a 6-yard score early in the fourth to make it 24-21.

The Mustangs, though needed only three plays to stretch their advantage again on a 34-yard pass from Patterson to sophomore wide receiver Allen Ortiz. After a Cooper Hamilton field goal pulled the Hounds to within seven, Patterson connected with junior Tobi Sonaike on a 57-yard TD toss with 7:56 left.

Vigil said a winning record was a big goal for the Mustangs, who still have at least an outside shot at a bowl appearance.

"I'm just proud these guys," he said. "We've won more games than they've won in the last five years. They believe when they step on the field that they're going to win.

Armijo finished 18-of-27 for 217 yards, while Patterson was 3-of-5 for 99. Telles led Mustangs receivers with seven catches for 113 yards.

"Paul Armijo played really well," Vigil said. "Devin (Larsen), in my opinion, is the best quarterback in the Lone Star Conference. Our offense came up huge today, and we had a couple of key stops on defense."

Thanks in large part to three long runs, totaling 172 yards, Russell posted a personal-best 212 yards rushing on just 12 carries. But there weren't a lot of other bright spots.

"We came out in the second half and got right back in the thick of things, but we just couldn't finish it," Hiatt said. "It's just disappointing. We've just got to figure out a way to get better."