NMMI Sports Press
It's never easy to get a conference win on the road, but the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team did just that, walking off the field in Brenham, Texas with a three-point victory over Blinn College, 17-14.
Things didn't start well for the Broncos, either. After managing just two yards on their opening offensive possession, the NMMI defense let the Buccanneers into the end zone in just two plays: a 12-yard quarterback keeper, then a 50-yard TD rush on a dive up the middle.
"That first one was disappointing," said NMMI head coach Kurt Taufa'sau about giving up the initial score. "We knew what they were going to run, our but guys were just over pursuing the ball. We made some adjustments on the sideline and were able to prevent them from scoring again until late in the third quarter. Our defense made the plays they needed to, to get off the field and get our offense back out there."
The NMMI offense managed a few drives deep into Blinn territory. Twice those drives stalled at the Bucc 21: once on a missed 38-yard field goal by Joseph Newton-Grain that was plenty long enough, but hit the left upright; the second on a tipped-pass-turned-interception.
Despite the miscues, the Bronco defense kept making stops, including an interception in the end zone by NMMI defensive back Jamarquis Johnson on Blinn's first possession of the second quarter, after the Buccs had worked the ball down to the NMMI 19.
And then the special teams unit came up big with Churchill Williams forcing a fumble on the Blinn 36 after an NMMI punt, recovered by Donovan Jones.
The Bronco offense then went back to work, mounting an eight-play drive into pay dirt, tying the game 7-7 with 2:52 left in the half. Running back Joel Jones was the workhorse during the series with four carries for 23 yards, including the eight-yard TD rush.
Tied at 7s at the half, the Broncos flipped the script to start the third. NMMI's defense forced a quick three-an-out, then the NMMI offense turned around and scored in just three plays. This time veteran quarterback Koby Muasau did the lion's share of work, tossing passes to Andre Hall for 21 yards, then a 22-yard TD strike to Julius Quinones which put the Broncos up 14-7 with 12:22 left in the third.
The Buccs struck right back, however, mounting a 13-play, 76-yard drive to knot it back at 14-14; 5:51 left in the third.
The Broncs countered with their own 10-play, 62-yard drive, which stalled at the Blinn 13. Newton-Grain again got the nod and this time made what would become the final points of the contest with a 30-yard field goal.
Midway through the fourth, Blinn College attempted a 48-yard field goal for the tie, but another excellent play by the NMMI special teams unit followed as Stilton McKelvey blocked the kick.
"It wasn't pretty tonight, but the guys got it done," said coach Taufa'sau after the win. "We were fortunate to come out of top even with all of the mistakes that we made. Seems like every time we get together with Blinn, it always comes down to a few big plays. Tonight those plays came from our special teams and turnovers."
With the win, the Broncos move to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, while Blinn College falls to 2-2 and 0-2.
"We've got a lot of guys banged up on the offense side of the ball, but tonight we had several players step up," continued coach Taufa'asau. "Joel Jones ran the ball hard, and in the absence of Treyvion Beamon, we had several receivers step up and make catches tonight: Andre Hall, Julius Quinones, Chris Harbin, Noah Armijo and Kendall Jones. It just goes to show that if you put in the work during the course of the week, it's going to show up on Saturday"
Next up for the Broncos will be a bye-week, and a chance to regroup and heal. Their next game will be back at home in the Wool Bowl against Tyler Junior College on Saturday, Oct. 7 with kickoff slated for 3:00 pm MDT.