The WNMU Mustangs shut down the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys in the second half Saturday, but a Mustang field goal wide to the right with just seconds remaining allowed the Cowboys to keep the three-point advantage and the win, 17-14. The Mustangs hope to get their first win of the season on Homecoming when they take on the CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves, who are 4-4 on the season, next weekend.

The Cowboys got on the board on the opening drive, but the Mustangs were able to limit them to a field goal as Jamie Trujillo (North Hollywood, CA) broke up a Brandon Fairfield pass on third and goal.

WNMU and NMHU went back and forth on the next four possessions as solid defense left each team's offense on the field for only three plays, but a NMHU fumble at their own one-yard line set up the Mustangs perfectly. Quarterback Chris Voller (Albuquerque, NM/Valley High School) (Albuquerque, NM) kept the ball himself and rushed it in for the first touchdown of the day. The Mustangs had the 7-3 lead after one quarter.

With little ball movement from both teams, the Cowboys finally jumped ahead in the middle of the second quarter after a sensational Erick Dyer 79-yard rush for a touchdown. Nearly three minutes later, the Cowboys ran much of the field to tack on another touchdown to put NMHU up ten at halftime.

But solid Mustang defense in the second half left the Cowboys from getting into the end zone. WNMU appeared to have the momentum on their side with 5:25 remaining in the third. Clayton Dowd (Scottsdale, AZ/North High School) (Scottsdale, AZ) intercepted a Fairfield pass and ran it to the NMHU 24 yard line, good for a 53-yard return, but the Mustangs could do little with it and gave NMHU possession after a failed 4th and 6 play.

With seven minutes remaining in the game and the Mustangs still down by ten, Coach Busken and Voller needed to throw the ball. First John Means (Glendale, AZ/St. Mary's High School) (Glendale, AZ) connected with Voller for 27 yards. Two plays later they connected again for another ten yards. Finally, Voller found Jake Morales (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) (Silver City, NM) in the end zone to put the Mustangs with reach.

WNMU turned up the notch on defense on NMHU's next procession. It took only three plays for NMHU to cough up the ball as Tony Norman (Richmond, CA/Kennedy High School) (Richmond, CA) posted his own interception at the WNMU 30.

Patiently, Voller marched the purple and gold up the field but got held up at the NMHU nine yard line. With :34 left, senior Steve Flores (Peoria, AZ/Peoria High School) (Peoria, AZ) came in to kick a 25-yard game-tying field goal, but it was wide right.
Voller threw for 220 yards and no interceptions. Means was his main target as he posted 116 yards on nine receptions. Morales finished with 49 yards on three receptions.

Defensively, Buster Thede (Arvada, CO/Pomona High School) (Arvada, CO) led the team with six tackles, but many had strong games in the backfield. Seven people posted a tackle for a loss. Thede posted two.

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