SPEARFISH, S.D. – The long drive didn't affect the Western New Mexico University football team. Behind a pair of 21 point quarters in the first half, the Mustangs never looked back from the opening drive of the game as they cruised to a 59-21 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory over Black Hills State University Saturday afternoon.

WNMU (4-7, 3-6 RMAC) rolled up 527 yards of total offense and held BHSU (0-11, 0-9 RMAC) to just 295.

Playing without starting quarterback Mitch Glasmann (Temecula, CA/Chaparral), Michael Ball (Rowland Heights, CA/Rowland) and the Mustangs ran all over the Yellow Jackets to the tune of 330 yards and five touchdowns. Ball had a monster game himself passing for two scores and running for a pair as well.

The first drive set the tone for the game as the Mustangs went exclusively on the ground going 65 yards on eight plays capping the drive with a two-yard run by Gordy Longville (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge) for the 7-0 lead three minutes in.

After the defense forced a quick punt, the offense went back to work on the ground. Marques Rodgers (Gardena, CA/Serra), Tracy McNair (San Diego, CA/Morse), Ball and Nino La Russa (Santee, CA/West Hills) all carried the ball as WNMU chewed up 66 more yards on 13 rushing plays that La Russa finished off with a two-yard TD run to move the lead to 14-0 near the end of the opening quarter.

The teams traded possessions when Ball decided it would be time to go deep through the air. On the second play of the next series, Ball hit Larry Young II (San Diego, CA/Morse HS) who broke free for an 86-yard TD giving WNMU a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The defense then decided to get in on the scoring spree as Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) stepped in front of a Ryan Hommel pass and returned it 33 yards for a TD and a 28-0 WNMU lead early in the second quarter. It comes as Wilson's second INT return for a TD, with both coming on the road as he also returned one against Adams State.

Midway through the second, the offense went back to work engineering another lengthy drive. WNMU marched 49 yards in 13 plays with Preston Blincoe (El Centro, CA/Imperial) getting in on the rushing attack during the drive. The Mustangs mixed in both the run and the pass to find pay dirt with Ball hitting Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) down to the one on an 11-yard pass play to setup a one-yard keeper for Ball to the end zone and a 35-0 lead with a minute to play before halftime.

With still time to play before the break, that left plenty of time for the Mustangs to strike again. James Nelson (Los Angeles, CA/Long Beach Poly) would make it two interceptions for the defense on the ensuing drive as he collected the pick at the BHSU 45. The offense wasted little time with a pair of completions to Ayers to move the ball to the 26, Ball would then call his own number for a 26-yard TD run and a 42-0 lead WNMU would take into halftime.

Of the eight possessions WNMU had in the first half, six went for touchdowns. The defense limited BHSU to just 103 yards on eight first half possessions forcing two turnovers, five punts and the other drive ended the half.

The Yellow Jackets would break through in the third quarter as they scored the only points in the frame leaving WNMU ahead 42-13 entering the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Josh McIntire (El Cajon, CA/West Hills) started the scoring as he connected on a 50-yard field goal moving the WNMU lead to 45-13. His 50-yard boot was the longest of the season and set a new career-high.
The Yellow Jackets would score for the final time in the game on their next possession as WNMU still had some scoring left in them.

Beginning at the WNMU 47 following a onside kick attempt by BHSU, the Mustangs moved down the field on 11 plays and went 53 yards for the score. Ball found Ayers for the 21-yard strike to cap the scoring drive moving WNMU in front 52-21.

After the Yellow Jackets turned the ball over on downs at the Yellow Jacket 39, the offense would cash in for the last time in the game. On third-and-goal at the one, Longville pounded his way in for his second touchdown of the day to provide the final margin of 59-21.

The Mustangs had four players rush for over 40 yards led by Rodgers' 150 yards on 23 carries. Blincoe added 62 yards on 13 attempts, while McNair had 45 yards on 11 carries. Ball had six carries for 44 yards and two touchdowns, Longville had seven carries for 19 yards and two scores as well. Ball completed 11-of-17 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Young II brought in three passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Ayers added 69 yards on five passes and a touchdown.

The defense was led by Wilson who had seven tackles, three solo, an INT return for a TD and a pass breakup. Avery Crump (Los Angeles, CA/Verbum Dei) posted 1.5 sacks.

Phydell Paris led BHSU on the ground going for 146 yards on 19 attempts and a TD.

The Mustangs finished tied for seventh in the RMAC standings along with Adams State.