Falcons flatten Hounds

It's been a rough season for Eastern New Mexico University's football team. It only got rougher on Saturday afternoon at Steve Loy Stadium.

Texas-Permian Basin dominated from start to finish, piling up 575 total yards en route to a 64-14 Lone Star Conference trouncing of the Greyhounds.

UTPB (6-4, 5-3 LSC) posted its second-highest yardage output this season and went over 500 yards of total offense for the eighth time in coach Kris McCullough's two campaigns at the helm.

"I'm proud of my guys' fight," McCullough said. "We had a bye week (coming in) and you never know how you'll respond, but we were able to dominate in all three phases."

The Falcons put together long drives for touchdowns on their first two possessions. ENMU (3-7, 1-7 LSC) closed to 15-7 on a 1-yard run by senior fullback Ron Craten late in first quarter, one play after backup QB Rashad Carter broke off a 71-yard run.

UTPB responded with two more TDs in the second frame and led 29-7 at halftime. The Falcons added three touchdowns in the final 4 ½ minutes to complete the rout.

ENMU coach Kelley Lee said injuries have bitten his squad all season, noting that 16 of their original 22 starters to begin the season are currently hurt. He noted the Hounds lost three more players to injury in this one.

"We're playing with a bunch of freshmen, but that's just part of it when you don't have depth," he said. "The young kids are learning. Unfortunately, you're learning in really tough circumstances."

Permian Basin compiled a 29-8 edge in first downs. The Falcons relied heavily on a short passing game, finishing with 304 yards through the air and 271 on the ground – both totals more than the Hounds had combined (247).

UTPB collected 29 first downs to 8 for ENMU, which came into the tilt leading the LSC in total offense and scoring offense.

Starting in the second segment, six of the Falcons' final seven TDs were achieved in five plays or less.

Senior running back Tyler Cleveland had eight carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while junior running back Korey Harris also had pair of scores on the ground. Freshman quarterback Isaac Mooring went 23-of-31 for 222 yards through the air, with two TDs and no picks, while senior wide receiver Jeremiah Cooley posted four catches for 106 and two TDs.

"They're a good football team," Lee said. "They bring a toughness to the game."

McCullough said his squad, in the middle of a three-game road trip to end the regular season, has its sights set on qualifying for a postseason tilt.

"We want to get to 7-4 and make a bowl game," he said. "Any time you can finish a season on a strong note, that's always what you want.'

UTPB has won five in a row in the series to take a 5-3 lead over the Hounds all-time. ENMU's last win over the Falcons was a 24-7 decision in 2018 at then-Greyhound Stadium.

ENMU went just 2-of-7 through the air, but one of them was a 60-yard TD pass from freshman running back Chad Ragle to junior wide receiver Dalton Flowers in the final frame. Perhaps the team's highlight of the day came from sophomore linebacker Matthew Quartieri, who was in on 21 tackles (12 solos).

The Hounds finish the season with a 6 p.m. (MST) kickoff on Saturday at Texas A&M-Kingsville.