KINGSVILLE, Texas – For the second straight week the Western New Mexico University football team forced four turnovers and didn't commit one, but this time the result was different as Texas A&M-Kingsville took the 28-13 Lone Star Conference victory Saturday night.

The Mustang defense tallied two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and also were disciplined in penalties committing just two for 11 yards, while the Javelinas had seven for 65 yards.

It became an early test right away for the WNMU (3-7, 3-5 LSC) defense when TAMUK (7-3, 5-3 LSC) took the opening kickoff back 60 yards down to the WNMU 39. On third-and-five the Javelinas completed a pass that was enough for the first down, but on the play junior Kyle Foote (Hayward, CA/Hayward) forced the fumble and freshman Nolan Grigsby (Los Angeles, CA/Crenshaw) recovered at the 28.

Some trickery followed to setup the first score of the game when senior wide receiver Rodney Lawson (Hayward, CA/Patterson) took the end around and passed to junior quarterback Matt Hommel (Suffolk, VA/Kings Fork) for the 64-yard completion down to the eight. Two plays later, freshman DeAndre Williams (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet) found the end zone for the score and 7-0 WNMU lead not even two minutes into the contest.

The Mustangs took advantage of good field position later in the quarter when they started the drive at the WNMU 48. Redshirt junior Javia Hall (Dallas, TX/Skyline) rushed for the first 16 yards of the drive before finding senior Xavier Ayers (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) for 15 yards down to the 21. The drive ended up stalling at the 14 leading to a 31-yard field goal that was drilled by redshirt freshman Tyler Vargas (Ramona, CA/Ramona) for the 10-0 lead with 4:51 to play in the first quarter.

TAMUK wasted little time answering as a kick out-of-bounds put the ball out near midfield, Carr found Reden for the 54-yard TD pass to trim the deficit to three at 10-7.
That ended up being the only scoring for the rest of the half, but there were several big plays along the way. The Javelinas were at the WNMU 35 and Foote came up with another big play, this time an interception to deny the drive.

WNMU was driving early in the second quarter and got down to the TAMUK four and had to settle for a field goal attempt that was blocked. Senior Alfonso Wilson (San Diego, CA/Morse) stopped what looked like was going to be a scoring drive for the Javelinas when he picked off Carr in the end zone with TAMUK looking at a first-and-goal at the 10.

The Mustangs nearly got points before the half, but were unable to score on first-and-goal at the four with time ticking down they tried three straight passes that fell incomplete leaving WNMU with the 10-7 lead at halftime.

Another turnover, the fourth of the game for the Javelinas, sparked the next score for WNMU when Landez muffed a punt that was recovered by freshman Mazin Khalil (Murrieta, CA/Murrieta Valley) at the TAMUK 26. The Mustangs moved down to the seven and were forced to a 29-yard field goal that Vargas connected on to move the lead to six at 13-7 midway through the third quarter.

TAMUK took charge after that scoring touchdowns on each of their next three drives for the 28-13 lead and eventual victory.

The Javelinas outgained WNMU 493-443, with WNMU holding the edge in the passing game (326-307). Vargas had another strong punting game averaging 40.6 on six attempts, with a long of 55 yards and three inside the 20.

Williams rushed 15 times for 89 yards and a score, with a long carry of 29 yards. Hall completed 28-52 for 262 yards, with a long of 24. Ayers caught 10 passes for 106, while Lawson added eight for 85.

Redshirt junior Dominic Barry (Moreno Valley, CA/Vista Del Lago) once again led the defense with 12 tackles, six coming solo and one tackle for loss. Redshirt junior Leo Marin (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad) had the one sack for the Mustangs.

Carr completed 16-24 for 307 with three scores and two interceptions for TAMUK. Anthony Autry caught seven for 96 yards and a score, while Luis Lopez rushed 16 times for 108 yards and a score. Trevor Moses added eight tackles.

WNMU will conclude the season next Saturday at home for senior day against West Texas A&M with kickoff set for 12 p.m. The Mustangs will honor 11 seniors before the game.