ODESSA, Texas – Eastern New Mexico couldn’t overcome a furious offensive second half from UT Permian Basin and fell by a final score of 48-38 on the road in Odessa, Texas.
The Falcons scored 42 points in the second half and held off a Greyhound comeback after Eastern New Mexico led 21-7 at the halftime break. Senior Paul Terry rushed for 158 yards on 24 carries while quarterback Wyatt Strand connected on a season-high three touchdown passes and added 83 yards to the rushing effort on a night in which the Hounds totaled 480 yards of total offense.
Strand found senior Johnny Smith on a 35-yard passing touchdown at the 10:57 mark of the opening quarter to cap off an 8-play, 75-yard opening drive for the Greyhounds. Terry and Smith each found the end zone on the ground in the second quarter on rushes of eight and nine yards to pad a 21-7 halftime advantage for the Hounds.
UT Permian Basin scored on the first possession of the second half and then got the ball back following one of five Greyhound turnovers of the game on the first offensive play of the half for the Greyhounds. The Falcons turned that change of possession into points on the very next play as the halftime lead for the Hounds was officially erased at the 11:17 mark of the third quarter with the score tied at 21-21.
Another Greyhound turnover on the ensuing kickoff proved to be irrelevant as the Greyhound defense stood strong and forced a three-and-out for the Falcons to slow the momentum. Eastern New Mexico was unable to sustain a drive of their own and punted the ball back to the Falcons, who took their first lead of the contest at the 4:32 mark of the third quarter at 28-21.
Senior Tyler Vargas narrowed the deficit with a 43-yard field goal make with 1:20 remaining in the third quarter before UT Permian Basin tacked on two unanswered touchdowns to extend the advantage to 41-24 with just over seven minutes remaining in the contest. Strand connected with junior Justin Manyweather for the first of two fourth quarter touchdown receptions between the pair to cut the deficit down to 41-31.
Senior Charles Countee recovered the ensuing onside kick for the Hounds, but an interception return for a touchdown on the drive for the Falcons effectively ended the chances of a Greyhound comeback. Strand connected with Manyweather on a 73-yard score on the very next offensive play for the Greyhounds, but Eastern was unable to recover a second onside kick with the score at 48-38.
Manyweather finished the game with two catches, both for touchdowns and a total of 81 yards. Defensive back Colby Russ led the defensive effort with 11 total tackles while junior Noah Sweitzer chipped in seven stops and an interception.
Eastern New Mexico will return home for their final action inside Greyhound Stadium next Saturday against Angelo State and will honor the class of 2019 football seniors prior to kickoff. Kickoff for that game is set for 6 p.m.
