by Adam Pitterman
The long wait is nearly over and the Eastern New Mexico University football team will make its home debut in the Grand Opening of Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium on Saturday.
The Grand Opening will be capped by a 7 p.m. kickoff of the 2016 Lone Star Conference opener against Western New Mexico University. For detailed information about the Grand Opening, which includes how to reserve tickets to the game, please visit enmu.edu/greyhoundstadium.
How to Follow the Game
The Sept. 10 ENMU Greyhound football game will be broadcast LIVE on KENW-TV PBS-TV Channel 3-1 and Channel 3-2. Live coverage with play-by-play and color analysis of the game begins at 6:45 p.m. MDT Saturday, Sept. 10 and kickoff is at 7 p.m. MDT. Seasoned sports broadcasters Phil Scott and Carl Twibell, who previously worked at KENW, will provide play-by-play and color analysis for this first historic game on the KENW live televised broadcast.
This first football game in the new ENMU Greyhound Stadium in Portales also will be live streamed free of charge. The link for the free game live stream will be posted on KENW’s website: www.kenw.org
The legendary “Voice of the Greyhounds” Dr. Donald Elder will be on hand to broadcast the game on KSEL 105.9 FM, which also will have an audio stream of the game on their website. A video stream and live statistics will be available at GoEasternAthletics.com.
The Matchup
When the teams last met to conclude the 2005 season, Western New Mexico held a 13-6 lead to close the first quarter. Midway through the second quarter, Greyhound quarterback Michael Benton fired a 53-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Hunter to tie the game, and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a five-yard run. Eastern pulled away for a 47-20 victory.
The Hounds outrushed the Mustangs by a 328-209 yard margin, and Benton finished with 154 yards on the ground. Fide Davalos also ran for 99 yards and a score. Tony Johnson paced the defense with 12 tackles, while J.J. Ortiz made an interception.
Greyhound Head Coach Josh Lynn is in his fifth season at Eastern and has a 20-21 record. In 2013, the Greyhounds finished with a 5-1 mark in Lone Star Conference play to share the league title with Tarleton State. Adam Clark heads into his seventh season with Western New Mexico and boasts a 26-40 record. The contest will mark the first LSC opponent for WNMU since it faced Eastern in the 2005 season finale. The last time the Mustangs played a LSC opponent on the road was a 45-21 defeat at Tarleton State on September 10, 2005.
After last Saturday’s game at Southwest Baptist, the Hounds lead the LSC in total, rushing, and scoring offense. Kamal Cass and D’Maujeric Tucker are first and second in the league in rushing yards and are two of the three LSC runners to top the century mark. Quarterback Wyatt Strand is close behind with 70 yards. Aaron Johnson ranks fifth in the LSC, with 89 receiving yards. Cass is second in the LSC in all-purpose yards and sixth in total offense, while Tucker is seventh in total offense. Quarterback Adam Lucero is ninth in total offense.
Defensively
With 12 tackles, linebacker Brad Hardin ranks second in the LSC behind only Angelo State’s Willie Brown. Todd Countee’s eighth tackles is tied for 12th. Desmond Blue registered Eastern’s first sack of the season, in the second quarter against Southwest Baptist. De’Aundre Sanders broke up a pass in the opener, while Corey Harris recovered a fumble.
Special Teams
The Greyhound kickoff coverage ranks second in the Lone Star Conference. Placekicker Bailey Hale has connected on all five point-after-touchdown attempts. Eastern also is second in the conference in punt returns, with Chivasiay Gallagher ranking second.
Meet the Mustangs
Western New Mexico University opened the season with a 27-0 setback at University of San Diego. Quarterback Matt Hommel passed for 83 yards, while running back Job McGinty rushed for 32 yards. Steven Stewart paced the defense with nine tackles, while Leo Marin forced a fumble. The Mustangs will play their first LSC game as a member of the league, at Eastern.
The Eastern New Mexico University football team will close its homestand on Saturday, Sept. 17, against defending LSC champion, Texas A&M-Commerce. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT. The following week will see the Greyhounds visit Angelo State.
Greyhound Stadium Set to Open on September 10
by Wendel Sloan
The new $15.3 million dollar Greyhound Stadium will open on Saturday, Sept. 10, with a 7 p.m. game against in-state rival Western New Mexico University.
Grand opening ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m. with tailgating in a designated parking lot (closing at 6:30 p.m.).
At 5:40 p.m. a new tradition called the “Greyhound Dog Walk” will begin as the team walks from the Field House to Greyhound Stadium cheered on by the Greyhound fans.
The ribbon cutting will be at 6:30 p.m. with special recognition to those instrumental in making Greyhound Stadium a reality.
At 6:40 p.m. the Greyhound Sound Marching Band will perform an “American Medley.”
At 6:45 p.m. there will be a 9-11 Tribute and Special Flag Presentation by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
During halftime there will be dedications for the Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium, made possible by a generous donation from ENMU graduate Al Whitehead, and the Griffith and Field Scoreboard, made possible by a donation from ENMU grad Richard Griffith and his wife Gilley in honor of their friend Dan Field. The Griffith and Field Score Board on the south end of the stadium will allow for instant video replays.
The Spirit Squad and Greyhound Sound will also perform, and ENMU Student Government will recognize all ENMU students who made Greyhound Stadium possible by agreeing to a student fee increase.
For more information, call 575-562-2153.
