ENMU Athletics
Jose Montoya

SILVER CITY – For the first time since 2021, the Chile Bowl is back in Portales after Eastern New Mexico beat in-state foe Western New Mexico, 41-34, Saturday afternoon.

“We wanted to control the line of scrimmage on both sides,” remarked head coach Kelley Lee after the win. “The defensive line came off the ball well.”

Both sides managed to have shining moments throughout the game for ENMU. The Hounds continue to dominate in the ground game. Eastern’s 495 total rushing yards aided the program’s 44th all-time victory over Western. On the defensive end, the team posted five tackles for loss and pressured the opposing quarterback to force throwaway passes several times during the game.

Eastern New Mexico was effective over the opening 15 minutes. ENMU scored touchdowns on their first three drives, while forcing a pair of three-and-outs by WNMU. The dominating start guided the Hounds to a 20-0 lead after the first quarter of play.

“It was really big,” commented Lee when asked about the three-and-outs in the first quarter.

The second quarter was a flip-flop compared to the first.

Western New Mexico outgained Eastern New Mexico, 148-70, and scored 14 points to put the deficit at halftime to, 20-14.

With momentum going in the Mustangs favor, a big play was much needed. That is exactly what ENMU got to begin the third quarter. On the first play of the period, WNMU threw an interception into the hands of Micah Lewis. The turnover put the game in Eastern’s favor.

The Hounds got back to how they managed the game in the first quarter by scoring two touchdowns and forcing a three-and-out. WNMU did manage to earn a touchdown late in the quarter, but ENMU still led 34-20.

Eastern began the final quarter with their sixth rushing touchdown of the day. ENMU did allow a pair of touchdowns to the Mustangs, but the advantage was too large to overcome.

The full backs made the most of the day for Eastern New Mexico. Ron Craten and Elijah Zeh combined for 288 rushing yards. Craten held the bulk of the yardage as he posted 216 yards on 26 carries and three rushing touchdowns. It is Craten’s fourth game in 2024 with two or more rushing touchdowns. Zeh ran 13 times for 62 yards. The Burleson, Texas native has gone for 62 yards twice over the last three games.

“They are producing well for us,” stated Lee when asked about Craten and Zeh.

The Greyhounds had valuable rushes from four different slot backs. Jarius Stewart (79), Chad Ragle (55), Azorion Sterling (48), and Kamauri Montgomery (25). All four of them had at least one rush go for 21 yards or more.

Defensively, Matthew Quartieri led ENMU once again. The Raton, N.M. native posted 13 tackles and a tackle for loss. He has recorded a tackle for loss in six of seven contests for Eastern. Gilbert Trillo, Samu Vave, Dathan Yeary, and Uatahouse Tu’ifua joined Quartieri with a tackle for loss.

Eastern New Mexico moves to 3-5 (1-5 LSC) and now looks for a conference matchup with Sul Ross State next Saturda