ROSWELL, N.M.—Snow College hopes of taking down the top-ranked football team in the country were doused Saturday evening as the New Mexico Military Institute defeated the Badgers, 38-7.
It was a tough night all around for the Badgers who struggled to move the ball for much of the night. The Badgers got just 79 yards of total offense in the first half.
Meanwhile, the Broncos were able to keep Snow on its heels defensively as they amassed 278 yards of total offense over the first two quarters.
It was a quiet first quarter for each team, as both Snow and NMMI exchanged a trio of punts each over the first 15 minutes. It was the Broncos who broke the silence minutes into the second quarter with a 9-yard touchdown run by Au’mhryaun Brown to give NMMI a 7-0 lead.
The Badgers were poised to even things up almost immediately. Snow took the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Bronco’s 39-yard line. Three rushes and a NMMI unsportsmanlike conduct set up the Badgers with first and goal inside the 4-yard line, but a botched snap and subsequent fumble recovery from the Broncos nixed any chances of evening the score.
NMMI proceeded to take the next drive 95 yards down the field and score on a 24-yard pass play from quarterback Koby Muasau to Treyvion Beamon. That gave NMNI a 14-0 lead. The Broncos added another tally just before halftime on an 18-yard passing touchdown to take a 21-0 advantage into the locker room.
NMMI would add two more touch- downs in the third quarter, both through the air to take a commanding 35-0 lead.
Snow would not be shut out, however, as it would strike just moments before the third quarter ended. Rahsul Faison capped a 16-play, 75-yard drive with an 8-yard rushing touchdown. The successful PAT by Bradford Willis would bring the score to 35-7 with one quarter to play.
The Broncos added a 32-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter, which shut the door on the Badgers the rest of the way.
Snow was able to move the ball more effectively in the second half than in the first and finished with 235 yards of offense. It was mainly the defense that was leaking throughout the night and ended up surrendering 460 yards to the Broncos.
Targhee Lambson led the charge for the Broncos with 73 yards on 21 attempts. Faison finished with 35 yards on seven carries while Daisean Cash picked up 31 yards with his legs on five attempts.
The Badgers were only able to manage 73 yards through the air, with Kamen Best going 5-12 for 35 yards. Cash also tossed for 31 yards completing two passes on four attempts.
Snow will have to recover quickly as it will travel to El Dorado, Kansas, to take on No. 10 Butler Community College on Saturday.
The Grizzlies have begun the season 2-0 and are coming off a convincing victory over Highland Community College, 45-3. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. MST.
