Box Score PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Western New Mexico University football team built a 28-0 lead after the first quarter and took a 42-7 lead into halftime on their way to defeating Arizona Christian University, 52-35, Saturday night.

The offensive fireworks started on the second drive for WNMU (1-1). After a solid return by senior Donald Byrd (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly) on a punt, the Mustangs began chewing up yards that would end up totaling near 600 on the evening. Junior Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) found junior David Brannon (San Jose, CA/Monte Vista Christian) for a 32-yard pass and then redshirt freshman Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra) took over. He collected 28 yards on three rushes, with the final seven yards finding the end zone for the 7-0 lead following junior Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills)'s extra point at the 9:13 mark of the first quarter.

A three-and-out followed for ACU (1-3) and it would take the Mustangs just two plays to strike again. Freshman Will Taylor (Santa Monica, CA/Santa Monica) gained five yards on the ground setting up Glasmann's 69-yard pitch-and-catch to senior Brent Courtney (Oceanside CA/Carlsbad HS) to boost the lead to 14-0 with still seven minutes to play in the opening quarter.

Another three-and-out had the Mustangs with the ball out to their 38. Following a 38-yard pass to Byrd, Glasmann connected with sophomore Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) for a 26-yard touchdown to make it 21-0 still in the first frame.

The Mustangs had one more score left in them in the first. With the defense forcing another quick three-and-out, Glasmann would hit Rodgers for 58 yards to move the ball inside the 10. Senior Cleavon Barnes (Lancaster, CA/Lancaster ) would find the end zone from six-yards out to extend the lead to 28-0 after one quarter.

Senior Darius Guillory (Temecula, CA/Chaparral) stepped in front of an errant pass on the next Firestorm possession to help setup the next Mustang score. After a personal foul kept the drive alive, Byrd hauled in a 21-yard pass from Glasmann for a 35-0 lead a few minutes into the second quarter.

Glasmann would find Byrd on the next possession, as the two hooked up for a 23-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 57-yard drive and make it 42-0 with still five minutes to play before halftime.

With the sizeable advantage, the Mustangs pulled a good portion of their starters for the rest of the game. ACU would get on the board before halftime leaving the Mustangs in front, 42-7, at the break.

The Firestorm opened the second half with another touchdown, just to watch the Mustang offense respond. Junior Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) broke free for a 47-yard scamper to find the end zone and help put WNMU back in front by 35, 49-14, midway through the third quarter.

ACU would score the final points in the third quarter and then added another pair of scores early in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 14, 49-35, with still nine minutes to play in the game.

WNMU came back with what would be the final points of the game on the next drive with McIntire drilling a 25-yard field goal at the 6:18 mark for a 52-35 lead.

The Mustang defense forced a turnover on downs on the next drive and would later force a fumble on the next ACU drive that was forced and recovered by senior Zachary Dembrowski (Lake Elsinore/Elsinore HS). That allowed WNMU to run more time off the clock and take the 17-point victory.

WNMU tallied 590 yards on 66 plays. The attack was balanced with 355 coming through the air to 235 on the ground. Glasmann threw for 352 yards, completing 14-of-20 and had four touchdowns without an interception. On the ground, Barnes went for 83 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown. Taylor tallied 57 yards and Blincoe another 51. On the receiving end, Byrd snagged six passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Courtney added 85 yards on two receptions and a touchdown. Junior Dylan Contreras (Litchfield Park, AZ/Peoria) led the defense with five tackles.

Ryan Esslinger came on in relief of Groenewold at quarterback for the Firestorm and threw for three touchdowns and 201 yards.

WNMU will stay on the road this coming week as they will open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play against New Mexico Highlands University beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.