Thursday, September 01, 2016

BOLIVAR, MO. — The Eastern New Mexico University football team put together a furious second half rally behind a 149-yard, two-touchdown effort from junior running back Kamal Cass in Thursday night's season opener. Southwest Baptist capitalized on three touchdowns when stemmed from ENMU turnovers, and held on for a 49-35 win at Plaster Stadium.

Historically Speaking

• The game was Eastern's first against a team from the Great Lakes Valley Conference
• The Greyhounds suffered their first season-opening defeat since the 2013 season
• Kamal Cass registered the eighth 100-yard rushing performance of his career
• D'Maujeric Tucker ran for 147 yards to post his first 100-yard game since the 2013 finale

First Quarter

• After the Hounds forced an initial three-and-out, Southwest Baptist put together two quick drives capped by TJ Edwards touchdown passes to seize a 13-0 lead
• The Bearcats had eight first downs in the quarter, to ENMU's three

Second Quarter

• ENMU outgained SBU by a 194-159 yard margin in the second quarter, and held a 9-6 edge in first downs
• Greyhound quarterback Wyatt Strand rushed for 70 yards in the quarter, which included a 49-yard sprint and a touchdown
• Cass ran for 62 yards and a score during the quarter
• The Bearcats scored late in the second quarter to seize a 28-7 lead, but ENMU responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive and closed to within 14 points before half on a two-yard run from Cass

Second Half

• The teams traded scores throughout the second half, but the Hounds could get no closer than 14 points the rest of the way
• Eastern's defense limited SBU to 33 yards of offense and three first downs over the final 15 minutes of play
• The Bearcats only score of the fourth quarter came after a fumble set up a drive at the ENMU 15-yard line

In the Numbers

• Adam Lucero and Wyatt Strand combined to pass for 94 yards
• Aaron Johnson hauled in five of ENMU's seven completed passes for 94 yards and a 28-yard touchdown
• Brad Hardin paced the defense with 12 tackles, which included six solo stops
• Desmond Blue had seven tackles and a quarterback sack
• Bubba Jenkins paced SBU with 173 yards rushing and two scores
• Edwards passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns for the Bearcats

The Eastern New Mexico University football team will return to action next Saturday, for the grand opening of Al Whitehead Field at Greyhound Stadium. Kickoff for the Lone Star Conference opener against Western New Mexico is scheduled for 7 p.m. For more information about the grand opening, please visit https://my.enmu.edu/web/greyhound-stadium/home