Eastern New Mexico University's football team faced the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in Midland, Texas, on Saturday night. Entering the game with a two-game winning streak, the Greyhounds were unable to overcome a strong first-half performance by UTPB, falling 47-34.
Head coach Kelley Lee commented on his team's effort after the game. "I was proud of their effort the whole way. We were close to doing some really good things in the first half. Football is truly a game of inches," said Lee. "We were not on the right side of those plays in the first half and it is amazing the difference it makes and how everything comes together when you are on the right side."
The game began with defensive stops from both teams, including an interception by Eastern's Tamarr Fairman during UTPB's opening pass attempt. However, UTPB responded quickly with two touchdown drives in the first quarter and extended their lead to 27-0 before Eastern scored late in the second quarter on a seven-yard pass from Chad Ragle to Robert Nora.
UTPB answered with two more touchdowns before halftime, taking a 40-7 lead into intermission.
In the second half, Eastern capitalized on UTPB's muffed kick return that left them at their own three-yard line. The Greyhound defense forced a three-and-out, highlighted by DJ Moore's quarterback pressure and another play from Fairman.
Eastern scored quickly on its next possession with a four-play drive capped by Jonathon Carter's 15-yard rushing touchdown. The Greyhounds' defense then stopped UTPB on downs, leading to another scoring drive finished by Demarion Finch's one-yard run—his fourth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown.
UTPB opened the fourth quarter with its only second-half touchdown before substituting backup players for much of the remainder. Eastern continued to battle back as William Reynolds scored from one yard out following a long rush by Nora, narrowing the deficit to 20 points. Shortly after, Nora broke free for a 70-yard carry that set up Ragle’s two-yard rushing score—his fifth of the season.
UTPB controlled possession over the final minutes to secure their win and improve their record to 8-2; ENMU moved to 3-7 for the season.
Eastern New Mexico will host Texas A&M-Kingsville for senior day at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium on November 15 at 1 p.m.
