On Saturday afternoon, New Mexico Military hosted their non-conference match as they fell to No. 6 Snow College 35-18. With the setback, the Broncos dip to 3-6 on the year with one regular season game left on the schedule.
Q1
The visiting team took the opening kickoff but were unable to make anything work on their first drive as the NMMI defense was able to force a punt on the opening drive. As the Broncos took over, they were only able to hold on to the ball for two plays before the defense forced a fumble.
Taking over on the NMMI 34-yard line, Snow College used just one play to get a point on the board as Donnnie Smith connected with Reggie Grischknecht from 34 yards out to give the visiting team an early 7-0 lead.
On the next possession, NMMI was able to drive the ball down field but came to a halt as the Broncos settled for a 23-yard field goal attempt, which was blocked to keep the Broncos scoreless. A play later, Smith recorded an 86 yard pass touchdown as he connected with Shandon King to take a 14-0 lead after the extra point attempt was converted.
Q2
The Broncos' first drive of the second quarter resulted in more points for Snow College as they were able to block a punt attempt and return it for six to take a commanding 21-0 with 11:33 remaining in the half.
The next three offensive drives by the Broncos resulted in three turnovers. First Javion McKay lost a fumble, then NMMI had another punt blocked which was also returned for a touchdown to give the visiting team a 28-0 lead. The next possession, Jake South was intercepted by Ty Smith in the endzone to end any scoring opportunity for NMMI.
Q3
The Broncos opened the second half with an interception on the first drive to give Snow offense another scoring opportunity. However, the Bronco defense forces Snow into a 2nd and 23. The Badgers attempted a pass, but Rayden Aphayvong snagged his fifth interception of the year to put the NMMI offense back on the field.
After a Bronco punt, Snow added another touchdown as Smith found Kael McCoy from 14 yards out to give the visiting team a commanding 35-0 advantage. The following possession, the Broncos found some rhythm as they moved the ball 75 yards in just seven plays as South connected with Karl Peterson for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Following a failed two-point attempt the Broncos trailed 35-6.
On the kickoff, the Broncos were able to successfully recover by Jack Nelson as Justin Gissendanner jumped on the ball to put the NMMI offense back on the field. On the next play, South was intercepted again by Smith for his second of the day.
Q4
On the third play of the quarter, Stilton McKelvey answered with his own interception - his team-leading seventh of the season. On offense, the Broncos were able to turn the turnover into points as South connected Kendall Jones from 40 yards out to make it a 35-12 game after another failed two-point attempt by NMMI.
As the quarter continued the Broncos turned the ball over again as South was intercepted to end a 14-play drive for the home team. As Snow tried to run out the clock, Aphayvong forced a fumble to give the Broncos great field position. In four plays, South completed a pair of passes before Zahir Favors carried the ball from three yards out to make it a 35-18 game after a third failed two-point attempt by the Broncos.
The Broncos return to the field on Saturday, Nov. 9 as they host their final regular season game against Navarro College at 2 p.m. MST at the Wool Bowl.