NMMI Offense Awakes with a 51-26 Victory over Arizona Western
Roswell, NM - After two consecutive sluggish performances for the nation's second leading rushing attack, the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos put up 51 points in their final home game of the season as they defeated the Arizona Western Matadors 51-26.
The NMMI offense scored five touchdowns and one field goal on six possessions in the first half as they jumped out to a 37-10 half time lead over AWC. Quarterback Stephen Baca played a solid first half of the football game as he led the team with 72 yards rushing and two touchdowns. He also contributed with 81 yards passing and one touchdown to receiver Darrell Armstead.
Troy Seivwright-Adams, the WSFL's top punt return man scored his third touchdown of the season in the first quarter when he took an AWC punt 68 yards for a score. AWC got on the board with a 91-yard run by tailback Tim Johnson to start the second quarter. Michael Ellison converted on a 22-yard field goal attempt for their only other score of the first half.
NMMI managed only 14 points in the second half but controlled the clock with many time consuming drives. Fullback Cortae Minor returned to action, eclipsing the century mark with 110 yards rushing and one touchdown. NMMI got their seventh and final touchdown of the game when Baca found Armstead on a fade pass in the corner of the end zone for their second touchdown of the game. AWC scored the last 16 points of the game with many of the NMMI starters already on the sideline. Johnson capped a solid performance for the Matadors with another long touchdown run; this one went for 90 yards. He finished the game with 180 yards on 7 carries.
As a team, the Broncos racked up 512 yards of offense. Minor led the team with 110 yards rushing and Baca finished the game with 102 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He also completed 8 of 12 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Armstead pulled in 5 passes for 96 yards and two scores. NMMI had four players with over 50 yards rushing.
NMMI will conclude the 2007 season next weekend when they travel to Ephraim, UT to take on the top ranked Snow College Badgers. Kickoff is set for 12 noon.
