SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western New Mexico (3-6, 2-5) lost to Western Ore. (5-4, 3-4) 56-28 on Saturday. Western New Mexico generated 253 passing yards and 164 rushing yards, but Western Ore. finished with 700 total yards, including 527 on the ground.
Western Ore. posted 700 yards of total offense, including 527 rushing yards, and held advantages in first downs, time of possession and third-down conversions. Western New Mexico generated several long gains, led by
Joshua Gaines' (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) 88-yard touchdown run during a 107-yard rushing day and
Riley Carson's (Tucson, AZ/Mica Mountain High School) 55-yard gain. Western New Mexico also recorded two interceptions and three sacks defensively.
Western New Mexico answered Western Ore.'s opening touchdown with a three-play, 38-yard drive, tying the score at 7-7 after
Jase Ashley (Phoenix, AZ/Horizon High School) found
Rene Huerta (El Paso, TX/Canutillo High School) Jr. for a 42-yard touchdown and
Nathan Flores (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) added the extra point.
Malik Richard (Forney, TX/North Forney High School) had two sacks, and
Sheldon Williams (Fontana, CA/Eleanor Roosevelt High School) intercepted a pass at the Western New Mexico 5 and returned it 17 yards to stop a Western Ore. drive. The quarter ended tied 7-7 after Ashley connected with
Dennis Ionica (Surprise, AZ/Sandra Day O'Connor High School) for 22 yards to the Western New Mexico 45 on the final play.
Western New Mexico was held scoreless in the second quarter despite reaching the Western Ore. 20 twice. Ashley connected with
Riley Carson (Tucson, AZ/Mica Mountain High School) for 55 yards and later hit
Joshua Gaines (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) for 54, but
Nathan Flores (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) missed field-goal attempts from 24 and 29 yards.
Sheldon Williams (Fontana, CA/Eleanor Roosevelt High School) added an interception at the Western Ore. 40, and Western New Mexico entered halftime trailing 14-7.
Western New Mexico was limited to one scoring drive in the third quarter while Western Ore. scored three touchdowns and finished the quarter ahead 35-14.
Kainan Manna (Phoenix, AZ/Centennial High School) led the response with completions of 19 yards to
Demarion Postell (Tolleson, AZ/Tolleson Union High School) and 5 yards to
Rene Huerta (El Paso, TX/Canutillo High School) Jr. for a touchdown, cutting the score to 28-14 before Western Ore. answered on its next possession.
Devon Nofoa-Masoe (Tacoma, WA/Lakes High School) added a 32-yard run on Western New Mexico's final drive of the quarter, but the possession ended with a punt.
Western New Mexico's top fourth-quarter response came at 9:45, when Gaines broke an 88-yard touchdown run and
Nathan Flores' (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) extra point made it 42-21. After Western Ore. answered with a 65-yard rushing touchdown,
Devon Nofoa-Masoe's (Tacoma, WA/Lakes High School) 32-yard run helped set up
Kainan Manna's (Phoenix, AZ/Centennial High School) 4-yard touchdown pass to
Demarion Postell (Tolleson, AZ/Tolleson Union High School), pulling Western New Mexico to 49-28 with 4:22 left. Western Ore. added a 53-yard rushing touchdown late, and Western New Mexico finished with a 56-28 loss.
Gaines rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and added two catches for 59 yards. Ashley completed 9 of 17 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown.
Rene Huerta (El Paso, TX/Canutillo High School) Jr. caught two passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns.
Sheldon Williams (Fontana, CA/Eleanor Roosevelt High School) recorded four tackles and two interceptions, returning them for 17 yards.
Jermaine Land rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and added a 34-yard touchdown reception. Tyler Konold posted 144 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Jordan McCarty completed 11 of 20 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 97 yards and another score. Jayden Brannan recorded seven tackles, one sack and a forced fumble.
Western New Mexico is 3-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play. Western Ore. is 5-4 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
Up next, Western New Mexico football team travels to Ellensburg, Washington, to face Central Washington University on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m.
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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 (X, TikTok & Instagram).
