Wranglers Second Half Slide Costly

Photo: 9 Anthony Garrett was 12-29-0 for 150 yards and threw 3 touchdown passes

The Northern Arizona Wranglers were more than hungry to end their five game losing streak but second half mistakes resulted in scoring just 5 points that resulted in a 35-32 road loss to the New Mexico Chupacabras.

The Wranglers jumped on top 27-15 by halftime, but New Mexico slowly came back after Northern Arizona had multiple empty possessions.

Leading 32-29 in the final minute the Wranglers had an opportunity to put the game away with a touchdown but penalties got in the way and Northern Arizona settled for a long field goal that failed.

New Mexico quarterback Donovan Porterie got busy with under a minute to play and moved the ball to the Wranglers 4 yard line after a long pass play to Kisean Johnson. After a delay of game penalty the Chupacabras threw a pass to Arthur Jackson to the 1 yard line. The Wranglers called a timeout with just 19 ticks remaining to save some time just in case New Mexico scored and they did. LaJames White crossed the goal line for his third touchdown but New Mexico missed the all important extra point leaving the score at 35-32 with just 16 ticks remaining.

Wranglers QB Anthony Garrett completed passes to Kobe Smith and Ka’Ron Ashley to get to the New Mexico 20 yard line with 6 seconds left. A holding penalty on the next play moved the ball back to the NAZ 20 forcing another long field goal attempt to send the game into overtime. The 38 yard kick missed as the Wranglers were sent home with another tough loss.

Northern Arizona also suffered with 110 penalty yards as 13 flags went in their direction. Both kickers had rough games making just one of seven field goal attempts, but were 7 of 9 on extra points.

Brendon Luper had a good game defensively for Northern Arizona with two fumble recoveries and an interception to go with his team leading 7 tackles.

New Mexico snapped an 8 game losing streak and improved to (2-10). The Chupacabras will play at Arizona on Saturday at 6pm while the Wranglers fall to (1-11). Northern Arizona will host the Tucson Sugar Skulls on Sunday at 1pm. 

NEW MEXICO CHUPACABRAS 35, NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 32

Score By Quarters-  1         2         3         4       –     T

Northern Arizona     14      13         5         0       –    32

New Mexico              8        7          7       13       –    35

Scoring Summary

NM-Macias Rouge

NAZ-Smith 45 yard pass from Smith (Higuera kick)

NAZ-Cook Jr. 6 yard pass from Garrett (Higuera kick)

NM-Jackson 10 yard pass from Porterie (Macias kick)

NAZ-Ritche 35 yard pass from Garrett (Kick failed)

NM-White 12 yard run (Macias kick)

NAZ-Cook Jr. 30 yard pass from Garrett(Higuera kick) 

NAZ-Higuera 25 yard Field Goal    

NAZ-Higuera Deuce

NM-White 3 yard run (James kick) 

NM-White 1 yard run (Kick failed)

ATT:N/A

IFL STANDINGS

WESTERN CONFERENCE      W-L

San Diego                                  9-2

Vegas                                         9-3

Arizona                                       7-5

Tucson                                       6-6

San Antonio                               4-8

New Mexico                               2-10

WRANGLERS                           1-11

EASTERN CONFERENCE       W-L

Green Bay                                 10-2

Jacksonville                                 9-2

Tulsa                                            7-5

Orlando                                        6-5

Fishers Freight                             7-6

Quad City                                     5-6

Iowa                                             1-11

SCOREBOARD

New Mexico 35, WRANGLERS 32

San Diego 43, Vegas 39

Fishers Freight 55, Iowa 13

Tucson 35, Arizona 28

Tulsa 54, San Antonio 25