SILVER CITY, NM – The Western New Mexico Football Team opened Lone Star Conference play Saturday evening with a tough loss to No. 21 ranked Texas A&M-Kingsville, 30-9, from Ben Altamirano Field.
 
"It's an awesome challenge to play great teams like that and compete as we continue to grow in our program." said Head Coach Billy Hickman. "I thought our defense and skill kids on offense played well enough to win, but that's what makes football the best sport in the world; it's a true team game and if you have deficiencies, good teams will find ways to take advantage of them."
 
Mustang Quarterback Devin Larsen (Gilbert, AZ/Queen Creek HS) completed 27 of 51 passes for 333 yards, 1 touchdown (TD), 2 INT's , and was sacked five times.
 
Tobi Sonaike (Belle Mead, NJ/Oak Hill Academy) led the WNMU Receiving Corps with 130 yards on seven receptions. Charles Byers (Towson, MD/Concordia Prep) added nine receptions for 75 yards. Ryan Bowers (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach City College) caught the only TD for the Mustang offense on the night, finishing with one catch for two yards and one TD.  
 
James Hoban (Parker, AZ/Parker HS) led all Mustang rushers on the night with five carries for 20 yards.
 
Mustang Kicker Tanner Bobic (Glendale, AZ/Deer Valley HS) added a 39 field goal in the loss.
 
Leading the way for the Mustangs on the defensive side of the ball were, Cole Lalama (Queen Creek, AZ/Queen Creek HS) and Rene Holguin (El Paso, TX/Arkansas Pine Bluff) both finishing with 8 tackles.
 
TAMUK would be the only team to score in the first quarter, with Jacob Cavazos finding Nate Dantley on a 64-yard touchdown to put TAMUK up 7-0.   Gilbert Garza would later add a 50-yard field goal to give the Javelinas a 10-0 lead going into the first intermission.
 
In the second quarter the Mustangs would finally get on the board with the Bobic 39-yard field goal.  With :28 seconds left Cavazos would score for TAMUK on a six yard run, giving the Javelinas a 17-3 halftime lead.
 
The only score of the third quarter would be for TAMUK, as Cavazos would connect with Jaylin Smith, for a 26-yard TD.
 
In the fourth quarter, TAMUK would add to their lead with 14:40 remaining, when Garza would hit a 53-yard field goal to put the Javelinas up 24-3.  
 
The Mustangs would respond in fine form, with a three play, 65-yard drive, resulting in the Larsen to Bowers two-yard TD pass and catch.
 
Garza would end the scoring for the Javelinas and the game, as he hit a 45-yard field goal with 7:34 remaining to give us our final score of 30-9.
 
"We are excited to learn from the film and get better next week." said Coach Hickman.
 
The Mustangs hit the road for their first road game of the Lone Star Conference, as they head to Angelo St. to take on the Rams next Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 5pm MDT.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMUAthletics!
 

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics(Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok & Instagram)