UT Permian Basin football picked up both its first Division II and Lone Star Conference victory Saturday night as the Falcons held off Western New Mexico for a 41-32 win at Altamirano Field in Silver City, N.M.
The Mustangs had a chance to tie the game at 34-34 late in the fourth quarter after a seven yard touchdown with just over six minutes remaining, but missed on a two-point conversion pass that kept the Falcons in the lead.
UTPB moved the ball down from its own 35 yards line behind eight rushes, including a 27-yard carry by
Marquee Allison down to the Western New Mexico 27, but turned over possession on the WNMU 21 after a missed field goal.
The Mustangs committed penalties on their first two plays from scrimmage after regaining possession, and turned over the ball on an incompletion on 4th and 8 from their own 23.
Brandon Infiesto put the game away two plays later, rushing in from 24 yards out for the 11 point lead.
UTPB fought back from a 14-0 deficit, scoring its first touchdown of the day early in the second quarter on an eight-yard pass from
Kameron Mathis to
Mitchell Leonard.Â
UTPB pulled within a score on a 46-yard FG from
Bailey Giffen at 12:14 of the second quarter, and took the lead for the first time in the game when
Chris Hoad intercepted Western New Mexico for a 49 yard touchdown to go ahead 17-14.
Hoad came up big on the next Mustang possession, forcing a fumble at the UTPB 22 that was returned by
Xavier Brooks 40 yards to the Mustang 39, and was eventually taken in by
Kristian Brown for a 39 yard touchdown pass for a 24-14 lead.
UTPB overcame a 572-311 total yard deficit on the day, including Western New Mexico throwing for 496 total yards on the afternoon.
Infiesto led the Falcons with 78 rushing yards on 18 carries and a score, while Allison ran for 61 yards on just five carries. Leonard had 81 yards on five receptions for the UTPB passing game.
Hoad was instramental on defense for the Falcons, ending the game with 14 tackles, an interception and forced fumble.
UTPB is back home this week, hosting Tarleton State Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Ratliff Stadium.
