Hounds pull away from Highlands in third quarter

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — After letting an early 10-point lead slip away, Eastern New Mexico University’s football team put together a strong third quarter to subdue New Mexico Highlands 34-18 on Thursday night in the season opener for both teams.

Junior transfer quarterback Kason Martin completed 24-of-31 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns, two to junior college transfer Asa Wondeh. The first covered 44 yards in the second quarter and made it 10-0, and the second went for 39 yards early in the final period.

“I’m extremely happy we won,” second-year ENMU coach Tye Hiatt said. “Like I told the kids, I’m happy we were able to open on the road and win.”

Wondeh caught six passes for 176 yards, while junior isaiah Tate ran 15 times for 54 yards and a score.

Wondeh’s second TD made it 34-10 with just over 13 minutes left. The Cowboys countered with a safety and a touchdown, but a late scoring bid ended on downs at the Hounds’ 28 with just over a minute left to seal it.

After falling behind 10-0, the Cowboys got a 49-yard field goal from junior Will McDaniel on the final play of the half, then took the second-half kickoff 75 yards in just four plays and tying it on a 28-yard pass from freshman quarterback Michael Jackson to junior wide receiver Quavon Beckford less than two minutes into the period.

ENMU then scored 24 unanswered points. The Hounds immediately countered Highlands’ TD, going 75 yards in eight players for a 26-yard TD pass from Martin to sophomore tight end Bryzai White less than three minutes later for a lead it would never relinquished.

“I was really proud of the response by our kids (after Highlands tied it),” Hiatt said. “It definitely could’ve gone either way, so it was big to respond and get the lead back.”

ENMU grabbed a 3-0 lead midway through the opening stanza, finishing off a six-play, 64-yard march with the first of sophomore Cooper Hamilton’s two field goals, this one from 32 yards out.

Martin, who spent four years at FBS member North Texas, was certainly impressive in his Hounds debut.

“Overall, I thought he played extremely well,” Hiatt said. “And I think there were a lot of guys around him who made some good plays.

“We’re still a little young in some spots. It’s nice to have a young man like (Martin) who can settle everyone down a little bit.”

ENMU’s defense was able to keep the Cowboys in check for the most part. Jackson threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while senior wide receiver C.J. Sims caught 11 passes for 88 yards and a score.

“I think coach (Jamison) Bisch and the defensive staff do a good job every day of teaching and getting their guys to play fundamental football,” Hiatt said.

This week, the Hounds will get ready for their home and Lone Star Conference opener on Saturday in a 6 p.m. kickoff against defending LSC champion Midwestern State at Greyhound Stadium.