Box Score CHADRON, Neb. – Following a touchdown early in the third quarter, the Western New Mexico University football team held an 18-point lead. Chadron State College then rallied scoring 35 points in the second half to claim the 48-45 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon.

The Mustangs (4-6, 3-5 RMAC) came out scoring the first 17 points with Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) hitting a 20-yard field goal, Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) running in a six-yard score and a 24-yard TD pass from Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) to Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) gave WNMU the 17-0 lead near the end of the first quarter.

CSC (7-3, 6-2 RMAC) came back to score 13 of the next 20 points to close the first half with WNMU in front, 24-13. Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) added the other TD in the opening stanza hauling in a 10-yard pass from Glasmann.

The second half started out strong for the Mustangs with Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS) bringing in a 37-yard TD pass to cap a six play, 80-yard drive to open a 31-13 lead at the 11:59 mark of the third quarter.

After that, the Eagles would go on to score three TDs with the final one coming at the start of the fourth quarter to put them in front for the first time at 34-31.

Needing to turn momentum, the Mustang offense got back on track with the ensuing drive. WNMU picked up a big third-and-two as Glasmann scrambled to pick up the two yards. Another third down came later in the drive, a third-and-three at the CSC 29 when Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) busted through for four yards to move the chains. A play later, Barnes would catch a pass from Glasmann and go 25 yards for the score to give WNMU the 38-34 lead with 11 minutes to play.

CSC came right back, answering with a 12 play, 80-yard drive to go back in front, 41-38, with seven minutes to play.

WNMU moved down the field and would have to convert a fourth down to keep the drive alive. With a fourth-and-one at the CSC 34, Glasmann kept it and picked up eight yards for the first down. After a 16-yard pass to Barnes pushed the ball to the 10, the Mustangs would have to go to fourth down again. Following three runs that moved the ball to the two, Glasmann went with the keeper on fourth-and-goal and was able to find the end zone to give WNMU a 45-41 lead with just 1:52 to play.

The Eagles went to the air for their first six plays, completing four that had the ball at the WNMU 29. A 14-yard run had the ball resting at the 15 when Jonn McLain hit Danny O'Boyle for the 15-yard score to spring CSC back in front at 48-45 with just under a minute to play.

The Mustangs tried to make one last run down the field, but weren't able to do it. The first two passes were incomplete, then after a sack, on fourth-and-19 Glasmann was pressured and wasn't able to complete the pass turning the ball over on downs allowing the Eagles to run out the clock and the victory.

WNMU held a 589-527 advantage in total yards including a 336-175 edge on the ground. Rodgers went for over 200 yards for the second straight game racking up 205 on 36 carries and one score. Barnes added 13 rushes for 83 yards, while Glasmann carried the ball 10 times for 28 yards and a score. Glasmann completed 20-of-38 for 253 and four touchdowns without an interception. Young II brought in six passes for 50 yards and a score. Barnes added three for 44 and a TD, while Smith had two catches for 58 yards and a TD.

Eldrick Bright (Deland, FL/Deland HS) led the way in tackles with eight, including seven solo and one for loss. Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) added seven stops.

McLain led the Eagles completing 28-of-43 for 352 and five TD. Dylan Furrier posted 19 tackles.

WNMU will return home this coming Saturday when they will host Black Hills State at 12 p.m. It will also be senior day for 15 Mustangs, Deshawn Hathorn (Temecula, CA/Chaparral), Anthony Phillips (Houston, TX/Dobie HS), Oscar Ceniceros (Canutillo, TX/Canutillo HS), Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ), Willie Bobbit (Downey, CA/Downey), Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly), Marcus Smith (San Diego, CA/Mira Mesa HS), Brandon Perkins (Tucson, AZ/Desert View ), Kristian King (Redlands, CA/Redlands East Valley), Eldrick Bright (Deland, FL/Deland HS), Adrian Lopez (Santa Fe Springs, CA/Garden Grove ), Gregory Elliott II (San Diego, CA/Army Navy Academy), Zayde Khalil (Murrieta, CA/Vista Murrieta), Brent Courtney (Oceanside CA/Carlsbad HS) and Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS).