Kingsville hands Hounds fifth consecutive defeat

Saturday's Lone Star Conference football game at Greyhound Stadium is proof that dominating time of possession doesn't necessarily result in victory.

Eastern New Mexico University posted a 75-48 edge over Texas A&M-Kingsville in plays from scrimmage and held the ball for nearly 37 minutes, but in the end the Javelinas walked away with a 35-14 win to extend the Greyhounds' losing streak to five games.

Senior running back Christian Anderson had just eight carries for Kingsville (5-2, 3-2 LSC), but he amassed 137 yards and scored on runs of 17, 4 and 71 yards as the Javelinas took control late in the half and cruised from there.

"I was just proud of our guys' effort," Kingsville coach Mike Salinas said. "We faced some adversity this week, but I'm proud of the way we responded."

The Javelinas entered the game with their fourth starting quarterback of the campaign, and freshman Teague Sedtal responded by completing 9-of-15 passes for 92 yards. The biggest came just before halftime when he threw a 30-yard scoring pass to junior wide receiver Eli Martinez with 23 seconds to go.

That came one play after replay review overturned what was originally ruled a stop by the Hounds' defense on a fourth-and-1 play, and made it 21-7 at halftime.

"That was a big momentum swing," ENMU coach Kelley Lee said. "They get a second life, and they made the most of it."

Anderson added his final two TDs in the third segment to put it out of reach.

"We've just got to get better at stopping the run," Lee said. "We've had a hard time with that since Week 3 (the start of the LSC schedule), and everyone knows it."

A bright spot for the Hounds was freshman running back and 2023 Clovis High grad R.J. Nora, who carried the ball seven times for 81 yards and tied the game 7-7 early in the second stanza on a 56-yard touchdown run. Prior to Saturday, Nora's primary role has been as a kick returner and he had carried only four times for 37 yards.

"He's getting better all the time," Lee said. "He brings some speed to our offense."

ENMU (3-5, 1-5) had two massive drives in the third canto, but only one resulted in points.

The Hounds chewed up nearly eight minutes with their second possession of the half, going 75 yards in 19 plays – all on the ground. Freshman Elijah Zeh capped it with a 2-yard run.

The next time they had the ball, they controlled it for 14 plays, but the drive ended with consecutive nine-yard sacks of sophomore quarterback Mario Sanchez.

For the game, the Hounds were just 1-of-4 passing for 2 yards. Their run-dominant attack figured into the Javelinas' game plan, Salinas said.

"Our goal was to try to get two scores ahead and put a little pressure on their offense," he said.

Zeh finished with 114 yards on 22 carries for the Hounds, his second time over the century mark this season. ENMU tallied 303 yards on the ground on 67 carries.

It's a short week for the Hounds, who play the last of three non-conference games on Thursday night against Jefferson City, Mo.-based and winless Lincoln (0-8). The Blue Tigers, transitioning out of the rugged Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, have been outscored so far this fall 428-72.

Lincoln is coming off a 63-5 thrashing at home on Saturday against Missouri Southern, which built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter.

Obviously, it's a matchup the Hounds desperately need to win.

"They've seen some really good teams," Lee said. "I'm sure they're going to be excited and feel like it's going to be an opportunity for them to get a win."