PORTALES, N.M. (November 9, 2024) – UT Permian Basin football had it all working on Saturday at Eastern New Mexico University, scoring nine touchdowns while passing for over 300 yards and rushing for over 250 yards in a 64-14 victory over the Greyhounds at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium.

UTPB (6-4 overall, 5-3 Lone Star Conference) gained 29 first downs compared to just eight for ENMU (3-7, 1-7), had 271 yards on the ground on 44 attempts (6.2 avg.), and had 304 combined passing yards from two quarterbacks.

UTPB's 575 yards of total offense (6.9 avg.) were its second most this season and marked the eighth time in two seasons under Coach Kris McCullough that the Falcons have gone for over 500 yards of offense in a game.

Brock Johnson caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Issac Mooring on the first possession of the game and then caught the two-point conversion pass from Gunnar Abseck on UTPB's second touchdown of the first quarter, a two-yard run by Kory Harris.

Both of UTPB's scoring drives in the opening period lasted for 12 plays, but then starting in the second quarter, the Falcons scored 35 unanswered points with four of their five scoring drives coming in five plays or less.

In the end, three of the Falcons' final four touchdowns of the game came on just one play.

Mooring was 23-for-31 passing for 222 yards and three touchdowns while backup quarterback Christian Kaopua was 5-for-7 for 82 yards. Mooring set career-highs in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns while Kaopua threw his first touchdown as a Falcon to Jeremiah Cooley for a 65-yard score late in the fourth quarter.

Cooley's first touchdown catch of the game came on a 19-yard hookup with Mooring in the third quarter. Both catches were one-play scoring drives for the Falcons.

Cooley would finish with four catches for 106 yards and the two scores while Traylen Suel led the team in receptions (7) and was second in receiving yards (67).

On the ground, both Harris and Tyler Cleveland rushed for two scores. Harris ran 20 times for 81 yards while Cleveland made the most of his eight touches, running for 115 yards, which included a 73-yard touchdown run for the final touchdown of the game. Cleveland finished with an average of 14.4 yards per carry.

Camden Tyler ran six times for a season-high 75 yards and had a 39-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, his third rushing touchdown of the season.

Tristan Exline was once again a monster on defense, finishing with 12 solo tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. It was his second game in a row with 12 tackles.

Jalon Rocquemore was next with seven tackles while Yemi Oyesanya matched Exline with three tackles for loss but also had one and a half sacks.

Rafael Vargas punted three times for an average of 58 yards, which was a new career-high. He had two punts of over 50 yards, including a long of 70 yards.

Angel Diaz was 8-for-8 on his extra point attempts for the second time this season. It was his third time as a freshman making at least seven kicks (combined field goals and extra point attempts) without a miss.

"We had a great performance in all three phases of the game," spoke Coach McCullough. "I am proud of our trenches dominating and our skill players making plays all game. After a bye, you are always worried how you will come out the first quarter, and I thought we dominated all four quarters. That is true Falcon football and I couldn't be prouder heading into our final regular season game."

The Falcons will conclude the regular season next weekend at Sul Ross State University. It will be a second-straight noon kickoff for the Falcons on Saturday, November 16.