PORTALES, NM — Faced with fourth down-and-13 from the Southwest Baptist 44-yard line, The Greyhounds called timeout. When they returned to the field, quarterback Wyatt Strand ran 20 yards to set up a 41-yard game-winning field goal from Bailey Hale, which lifted the Eastern New Mexico University football team (1-0) to a 23-21 victory over #18 Southwest Baptist, Thursday night at Greyhound Field.

The win avenged a loss in last year’s season opener and was reminiscent of the Hounds’ come-from-behind victory at Midwestern State to close out last season’s regular-season finale. Head Coach Kelley Lee became the first Greyhound coach to win his debut since Harold “Bud” Elliot defeated New Mexico Highlands to open the 1994 season.

Key Plays
In the third quarter, Southwest Baptist managed to block a Bailey Hale 46-yard field goal, but was called for running into the kicker
Hale connected on the ensuing 41-yard attempt to give ENMU a 20-14 lead
Early in the fourth quarter, the Hounds forced SBU to punt ono fourth-and-five, but also were called for running into the kicker
The Bearcats followed with a pass from wide receiver Kendrick Payne which went for a 35-yard touchdown to Chris Robb, for a 21-20 lead
SBU recovered a fumble at the Eastern 31-yard line, but missed a 40-yard field goal just four plays later
After a punt which set up ENMU’s game-winning drive, Southwest Baptist was called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties which pushed the Hounds all the way to the SBU 41-yard line

In the Box Score
·         Eastern held a 38:48-21:12 edge in time of possession,
·         The Hounds converted seven-of 18 third downs, and two-of-three fourth downs
·         Strand paced ENMU offensively with 110 yards passing and 63 more rushing, while Kamal Cass ran for 98 yards and a score
·         ENMU’s defense held SBU star-quarterback TJ Edwards to 146 yards on a 17-34 performance. The Hounds held Southwest Baptist to six possessions with three or fewer plays
·         Feta Vunipola had nine tackles
·         Desmond Blue and KeAndre Hall each had a sack

The Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to action next Saturday, when they visit Western New Mexico to open Lone Star Conference play.