Another week, another Lone Star Conference victory for UT Permian Basin Football. The Falcons fought rainy weather, that delayed the kickoff 90 minutes, to defeat Western New Mexico 27-19 in Silver City. The Falcon ground attack powered the offense rushing for 149 yards as a team. Freshman
Jayvon Davis continues to make his case for Freshman of the Year, running for 121 yards and a score while
Nathan Tilford added 43 yards.
The Falcons started pinned inside their own five after a nice Mustang punt. After a Falcon punt gave the Mustangs the ball back around midfield, the home team took advantage and converted it into a field goal and the early lead.
The offense answered right back as
Clayton Roberts found
Kobe Robinson for a 41-yard strike to set the Falcons in the red zone. Two plays later Roberts found
MJ Link on a slant over the middle for the touchdown and 7-3 lead. The Mustangs drove into Falcon territory on the ensuing drive, but the defense came up huge and forced a turnover on downs.
The Falcons added to their lead on a 31-yard field goal by
Carson Roberts early in the second to go up 10-3. Neither offense had much going the rest of the half and went into the locker rooms with that score.
The Mustangs chipped away at the Falcon lead with a field goal in the third quarter. On their next possession the Falcons relied on the ground attack before
Suddin Sapien took the quarterback keeper into the end zone to extend the lead. The teams traded punts after a Mustang touchdown, but momentum swung towards the home team after pinning the Falcons on the two.
The ground attack got the Falcons out of the shadow of their end zone before completely taking control of the game. Facing third-and-10 from the 15, Roberts found Robinson on a 44-yard catch and run to flip the field. The Falcons faced a third-and-three later in the drive, but Roberts found
Jordan Smart for the 12-yard catch. On the next set of downs, the Falcons once again faced a third down. This time it was
Jayvon Davis who spun out of a tackle and found the end zone to extend the lead.
Jaques Tyler picked off Mustang quarterback Devin Larsen on the ensuing drive taking all the momentum. The Falcons converted it into a 40-yard field goal from the boot of
Carson Roberts for the 27-12 lead. The Mustangs answered with a touchdown but by then it was a little too late as the Falcons hung on for the 27-19 victory.
Roberts battled the tough conditions to throw for 149 yards and a score. Robinson had a big night with six catches for 114 yards.
Derrian Forge led the defense with seven tackles while
La'Daidreain Glasker added a sack.
The Falcons have a bye week next week before returning home to face Lincoln (CA) at Ratliff Stadium in Odessa. Tickets are available for purchase online. Download the UTPB Athletics App for the latest news on your favorite Falcon teams.
