SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Billy Hickman era is now under way at Western New Mexico University, as the WNMU football team and Head Coach are (1-0), after defeating Sul Ross State 42-28, at Ben Altamirano Field.

"It always feels great to get a win, but it's really not about me." said Head Coach Billy Hickman. "We have stuff to clean up, but that's always good to do coming off of a win."   

The Mustangs and Quarterback Devin Larsen (Gilbert, AZ/Iowa State) passed for 396 yards, completing 23 of 39 attempts, 6 touchdowns and one interception.

A trio of Mustang receivers each brought in two touchdown receptions, Jeremiah Hartfield (Montebello, CA/Pasadena City) led the receiving corps with seven catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Charles Byers (Townson, MD/Fullerton College) ended the night with six receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Flores (Casa Grande, AZ/Casa Grande HS) had two catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, the last one being a 78 yard catch and run with 3:55 left to play in the fourth quarter, to seal the victory for the Mustangs.

After a rocky second quarter, the Mustangs righted the ship in the second half, not allowing a score in the fourth quarter.  Rene Holguin (El Paso, TX/Arkansas Pine Bluff) led the defense with eight total tackles. The Mustangs had four takeaways on the night, with Clavon Caine (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach City College) andPrevin Loyd (Avondale, AZ/Westview HS) each recovering a fumble, while Jacob Vasquez (San Antonio, TX/Fullerton College) and Clayton Zentner (Corona, CA/Norco HS) each had one interception. 

"The staff and players deserve all the credit." Said Hickman. "Our coaching staff has done a great job and our players fought hard for the entire game."

WNMU struck first with a Larsen to Byers 40-yard touchdown pass. The two teams would trade punts and one WNMU missed field goal to end the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged to the Lobos, with QB Andrew Martinez connecting with Travell Lumpkin (5 yards), Kawaski Latham (77 yards), and Vincente Luevano (15 yards) for Sul Ross receiving touchdowns.  WNMU showed a small resurgence at the end of the half, with Larsen connecting with Hartfield for a 15-yard score to go into halftime down 21-14.

The second half would start with the teams' trading punts before SRSU's Martinez hit Ahmonte Kendrick for a 21-yard touchdown pass with 7:03 on the clock.  From then on, the Mustangs Defense and Larsen would move the momentum in WNMU's favor, with a fumble recovery by Caine and two Larsen touchdown throws, 38 yards to Hartfield and 33 yards to Flores. 

The fourth quarter would be more time for Larsen to shine connecting with Byers for a 5 yard touchdown pass at 11:22 and the final blow to the lobos, with a 78 yard touchdown toss to Flores with 3:55 left in the game.

SRSU's Quarterback, Andrew Martinez, was 23-41 for 332 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Martinez also rushed for 46 yards on 10 attempts. Kawaski Latham had five catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Vicente Luevano finished the night with six catches for 99 yards and one touchdown.

The Mustangs will rekindle an old rivalry with New Mexico Highlands University, in the La Batalla Bowl, next Saturday at 6:00pm MDT, from Las Vegas, NM. The game will be on the RMAC Digital Network.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!   ***

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, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube & Instagram).