NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute Colt football team moved to 5-1 on the season, defeating the visiting Loving Falcons 48-27 at Colt Field on Friday.
The Colts scored on their opening drive with Arturo Cuen punching the ball into the end zone for the first of his two one-yard plunges into paydirt. That capped a seven-play 78-yard drive. After the PAT by EuJuan Kim the Institute led 7-0 with 9:17 to go in the first quarter.
On the ensuing Loving drive, Steven Houston picked up a pick-six from 55 yards out, putting NMMI up 14-0 with 7:29 still left in the first.
Cuen scored his second one-yard TD rush to make it a 21-7 game with 6:04 remaining in the second quarter.
NMMI then scored two more unanswered touchdowns: the first on a pass from Daniel Xibille to Ricardo Mata from 19 yards out, and the second off a 37-yard Xibille QB keeper, moving the score to 34-7 with 10:50 in the third quarter.
After a Falcon touchdown, Carlos Retamoza returned the kickoff 50 yards, giving NMMI great starting field position at the Falcon 35. NMMI scored on Cuen’s third rushing touchdown of the night - this one however from 30 yards out - for a 40-14 lead with 6:02 to go in the third.
Loving managed two more touchdowns in the fourth in a comeback effort, but NMMI closed the door with a final score, this time on a Xibille pass to Diego Hernandez from two yards out, finishing up a six-play 47-yard drive. The Colts went for two and Xibille found Oscar Gomez in the corner of the end zone for the successful two-point conversion.
Cuen led the Colt offensive attack, rushing 12 times for 138 yards and the trio of TDs. Xibille had 10 rushes for 70 yards and a TD, while also throwing for a pair as well.
Head Colt football coach Randy Montoya liked what he saw from his team the first three quarters, but wanted them to finish the entire game.
“We have to maintain our focus our entire game,” said Montoya. “We did not do anything different in the fourth quarter, we were just undisciplined. And up against a team that runs the option like Loving, if we are not taking care of our responsibilities we are in trouble. We have to be better and play all four quarters, but anytime we can get a win we will take it.”
The Colts will again be at home next week, as they try and tackle the Hope Christian Huskies at Colt Field on Friday Oct. 4. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM MST.