Eagles soar in 49-0 homecoming win

By The Associated Press | Sunday, September 30, 2007

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CHADRON, Neb. — Danny Woodhead did not become college football’s all-time leading rusher Saturday, but the Chadron State tailback carried 24 times for 167 yards and scored three touchdowns as the No. 5 ranked Eagles defeated New Mexico Highlands 49-0 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference clash in Chadron.

A homecoming crowd estimated at 4,800 filled the Eagles’ Elliott Field to capacity to watch the game under perfect weather conditions.

Woodhead scored on runs of 5, 17 and 3 yards. He also raced 34 yards on the play preceding a 2-yard plunge into the end zone by fullback Butch Cassity in the third period.

The Eagles’ other touchdowns came on passes by quarterback Joe McLain of 34 yards to Joel Schommer and 5 yards to Logan Stropko. Linebacker Thomas Wells also scored when he returned a fumble for 14 yards after Jimmy Diaz jarred the ball loose from the Highlands’ QB.

Placekicker Travis Atter was perfect on all seven of his extra point attempts.

The Eagles (5-0, 2-0 RMAC) led 28-0 at halftime and scored on their first two possessions after halftime to leave little doubt en route to their 18th consecutive regular season win.

The Eagles outgained the Cowboys 377-to-173. Highlands was successful on just one of its 15 third down conversion attempts as the Eagles posted their second shutout of the season. Through five games, the Eagles have allowed 31 points, including just seven in the last three contests.

Senior safety Paul Schweger led the team with 6-1/2 tackles.

For the game, New Mexico Highlands made 11 first downs and quarterback Alex Aispuro was sacked six times. The CSC defense was also stout against the run as the Cowboys rushed for 29 yards on 26 carries.

The Cowboys’ only scoring threat occurred just before halftime, when they reached the CSC 5-yard line after LaFerrell Payne returned a kickoff 44 yards to start the drive. But Aispuro’s pass to Payne in the end zone on third down fell incomplete as time ran out to end the half.

Highlands is now 3-2 for the season and 2-1 in the RMAC.

Woodhead has now rushed for 868 yards this season and 7,233 for his career. He needs 121 yards to pass R. J. Bowers of Grove City College in Pennsylvania, who concluded his career in 2000 with 7,353 yards.

McLain, who is now 20-2 as a starter, was 9-of-16 for 151 yards and two TDs. Schommer led the Eagles with 52 yards on two catches and Isaac Stockton hauled in three passes for 42 yards.

Aispuro led the Cowboys through the air by completing 18-of-33 passes for 144 yards. LaFerrell Payne was his leading receiver with 50 yards and six catches.

The Eagles will play at Western New Mexico on Oct. 6. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.