PORTALES, N.M. – The Texas A&M-Kingsville football program owned a two-touchdown lead over Eastern New Mexico in the third quarter on Saturday at Greyhound Stadium, but three costly turnovers down the stretch swung the momentum back the other way as the hosts came out on top in Lone Star Conference action, 48-34.

The Javelinas (1-3, 0-2 LSC) took advantage of a couple quick strikes from senior Donte Ross (Palmdale, Calif.) within a two-minute span in the third to build the cushion, but giveaways on three of the next four drives were converted into 17 points by the Greyhounds (3-1, 1-1 LSC) en route to the decision.

ENMU got on the board first late in the opening quarter after Wyatt Strand broke the scoreless tie with an 11-yard scramble into the end zone at the 4:05 mark, while a 31-yard field goal from freshman Romario Perez (Corpus Christi, Texas) at 1:10 set the score at 7-3 heading into the second.

The Hounds had the response ready as Tyler Vargas converted a 30-yard field goal for the hosts early in the second before senior Kris Barnes (Fort Worth, Texas) evened the count on a five-yard burst at the 6:12 mark. A 32-yard run from ENMU's Darryl Wiggins ensured TAMUK was kept at bay, but redshirt senior Luis Lopez (San Diego, Texas) bowled his way into the end zone for six yards to keep the count even at 17-17.

With the following drive from ENMU entering the red zone, a timely interception from redshirt freshman Amos Coleman III (Houston, Texas) preserved the tie as he went up for the pass from Strand and came down with the ball to send the teams to the locker rooms evened up.

It took some time for the second half to get underway as weather moved into the area and forced a lightning delay, but as the game resumed the Javelinas hit the gas as the first offensive possession was capped off by a 27-yard connection from redshirt junior Cade Dyal (Kerrville, Texas) to Ross to give the Blue and Gold their first lead of the game with 10:29 on the clock.

The very next ENMU drive stalled out after three plays and the ensuing punt was fielded by Ross near midfield, and his maneuvers over the next 48 yards down the visitor sideline ended in a touchdown for a 31-17 TAMUK lead.

It was the first punt returned for a touchdown by a Javelina in nearly 10 years, as the last one came from Corey Robertson on October 31, 2009, against Abilene Christian.

 The lead would not reach the end of the quarter, unfortunately, as the Greyhounds took the next possession 75 yards down the field for a score, capped off by a 19-yard rush from Strand, while the following Hog drive ended on a fumble which was quickly converted into another ENMU touchdown at the 4:59 mark.

The hosts tacked on a 39-yard field goal from Vargas with 1:16 remaining in the third to put TAMUK in a 34-31 deficit, but was soon matched by a 24-yard strike from Perez near the 12-minute mark of the fourth.

The Greyhounds regained the lead for good on the next possession, with Strand finding Zachary Fields from 10 yards out, and the ensuing Javelina drive ended on another fumble that was converted into an ENMU touchdown for a 48-34 score.

Any hopes of mounting a comeback were quickly dashed as the hosts intercepted a pass on the next TAMUK drive and ran off the final 4:32 to take the win.

Dyal finished with 269 yards through the air on 16 completions, finding Ross for his lone touchdown.

Ross led the receiving corps with 151 yards on eight grabs, coupled with another 48 yards on his lone punt return and 43 yards from three kick returns.

The defense was led by redshirt junior Tre'Michael Tutt (Channelview, Texas) who set a new program record for tackles in a game with 22, 12 of which were unassisted. He broke the old school record of 21 set by Robert Soza on September 15, 1984, against Nevada and matched by Chris Hensley against Pittsburg State on December 2, 1995.

The Javelinas return to Pepsi Field at Javelina Stadium next week for a matchup with No. 11/11 A&M-Commerce for the annual Throwback Game in LSC play.

Watch your Javelinas live today on the Javelina Sports Network sponsored by Mendoza's Pharmacy. For more information on Javelina football visit JavelinaAthletics.com, or follow the team on Facebook /JavelinaFootball and on Twitter @JavelinaFB

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