SILVER CITY, N.M. --- The Western Oregon football team was outscored 14-0 over the final 16 minutes of the contest and fell at Western New Mexico 35-30 Saturday in its Lone Star Conference opener at Ben Altamirano Field.
The Wolves (1-2 overall, 0-1) led 27-21 at the break after racking up more than 300 yards of offense. However, WOU had less than half that in the second half as they were outscored 14-3 in the second half and held to just a Danielle Cossette 38-yard field goal in the third quarter at the 10:22 mark - going scoreless over the final 25 minutes of the game.
WOU had its final chance to take the lead with a drive starting with 8:04 left in the contest and down 35-30 just after the Mustangs (2-1, 1-1) took the lead. The Wolves converted a 4th-and-6 on its own 47 after
Gannon Winker hit
Damon Hickok for a 10-yard pass to keep the drive alive. WOU then faced a 4th-and-1 on the WNMU 23 yard line with 2:46 remaining, but were stuffed on a run play and the ball turned over to the Mustangs.
The Wolves had one last shot with 46 seconds left starting on their own 20, but was intercepted on the second play of the drive and WNMU kneeled the ball down to end the contest.
WOU finished with 454 yards of offense (266 passing, 188 rushing) compared to 369 (365 passing, minus-4 rushing) for the Mustangs, but four turnovers hurt the Wolves' cause.
Winker finished 15-for-33 for 199 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while
Kainoa Jones went 2-for-3 for 67 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Thomas Wright caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while Hickok had five catches for 92 yards and a score.
On the ground,
Omari Dixon-Land had a big day - going for 170 yards on 22 attempts.
Defensively,
Jaylin Parnell had nine tackles, a sack and an interception for the Wolves,
Joey Sinclair had nine tackles and a forced fumble while
Ryan Minniti had three tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
The Wolves return to action Saturday at home against UT Permian Basin with a 1:05 p.m. kickoff.
