Hounds to take on Buffs in home finale

While the Eastern New Mexico University football team isn’t looking at a postseason berth this year, the Greyhounds still have things to play for in the final two weeks.

ENMU closes the season with a pair of rivalry games, including Saturday’s noon home finale against West Texas A&M at Greyhound Stadium. And, with wins over the Buffaloes and at Western New Mexico on Nov. 11, the Hounds (4-5, 1-5 LSC) could post their first winning season since 2019.

“We’ve got a lot to play for,” ENMU coach Kelley Lee said Monday. “We can have a winning record, and we can get our two traveling trophies.”

Last season under Tye Hiatt, the Hounds scored late to beat WT 24-21 at Canyon, then lost at home to Western New Mexico 38-24. It was their first setback to the Mustangs since 1993, ending a 16-game winning streak in the series.

Meantime, WT is under the direction of former ENMU coach Josh Lynn, who is in his first campaign in Canyon. Playing a challenging schedule, the Buffs (3-6, 2-5) are headed for a rare second losing year in a row.

Lynn coached the Hounds from 2012-16, posting a 27-25 record (17-17 LSC). He led ENMU to a 2013 LSC co-championship, going 7-3 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

“I think they’re rebuilding a little bit,” Lee said of the Buffs. “They’re probably a little better than their record.”

WT, which will be playing its season finale, has gone 0-4 on the road this season, with losses to Western Colorado (28-6), Texas-Permian Basin (41-40 in overtime), Texas A&M-Kingsville (28-21) and Central Washington (30-14). Those four teams have a combined record of 29-7.

Their home setbacks were to Western Oregon (37-36) and Angelo State (27-10).

“They have a couple of receivers they’ve had a tough time getting the ball to, but they’re dangerous when they do,” Kelley said of senior Tyler Sweet and junior Tyrie Tipton. “They throw a lot of short passes, so when they complete them we’ve got to be able to tackle well.

“Offensively, we’ve got to take care of the ball.”

ENMU hasn’t actually turned the ball over that often – in fact, the Hounds haven’t had a pass intercepted this season in 88 attempts – but Lee said when they do give it away, it often stops a potential scoring drive and turns into points for the opposition.

He said Thursday’s 62-17 blowout of winless Lincoln (Mo.), snapping a five-game losing streak, was much-needed.

“To go out and play well in all three phases, it gives us some confidence,” Lee said.