NMMI Sports Press

The Broncos were unable to end their season with a win for a third-consecutive year, falling 37-6 to the visiting Dodge City Conquistadors Friday night in the Xcel Energy Wool Bowl.

The NMMI offense struggled without regular starting quarterback Kobe Muasau, turning the ball over five times. In his first action of the season, freshman QB Elliot Paskett-Bell had some success running the ball, but completed just 7-of-24 pass attempts for 96 yards, a touchdown and four picks.

For the first 20 minutes of the contest, neither team could muster a scoring drive as Motulalo Tafisi intercepted a tipped Dodge City pass on the opening drive of the game, but former Bronco Moses Sarweh returned the favor, picking off a Pasket-Bell pass on the ensuing possession.

The Conqs got the boost they needed midway through the second quarter when the Institute punt team thought the ball was bouncing out of bounds, but it stayed fair and was snagged by DC's Trey Simmons who took it all the way to the NMMI 1-yard line.

Dodge City scored on the next play with a Stone Wilson end zone dive. Wilson carved through the NMMI defense for 190 yards on 36 carries and two touchdowns.

The Broncos didn't find the end zone until the fourth quarter when Pasket-Bell found wideout Treyvion Beamon streaking down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown strike.

The freshman heavy 2023 Bronco Football squad suffered a plethora of injuries throughout the season, losing two effective tight ends for the year, multiple starting receivers for a number of games, and the biggest loss, Muasau, who was top-5 in several offensive categories at the national level.

Third-year NMMI head coach Kurt Taufa'asau was already the first Bronco head coach to win back-to-back bowl games and the second to lead his team to three-straight. After the game, the former Bronco defensive lineman, his coaches and players, watch the Conqs celebrate on their home turf.

"I want y'all to remember this feeling," he told the Broncos. "Remember it and think about what you have to do so that it doesn't happen again. This wasn't our best night, but I love all of you. And especially to the sophomores, thank you guys for your commitment and dedication. For the freshman, have a good break and come back ready for the best offseason we've ever had."