LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Derek Jackson rushed for 105 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Chadron State College football team to a 52-38 win over New Mexico Highlands Saturday at Perkins Field.
 
Although the Eagles (6-3, 5-2 RMAC) scored a season-high in points, it took the offense a while to find its groove Saturday. Highlands owned a 14-0 lead midway through the opening quarter after scoring on back-to-back drives that covered 75 and 92 yards, respectively. Tailback Khadeem Campbell, who rushed for a game-high 124 yards, scored both TDs for the Cowboys in the first quarter.
 
Like Highlands, a Chadron State tailback provided a spark for the offense and the Eagles got their first scoring drive started with a crucial 51-yard kickoff return from Cody Paul to the Cowboys' 42-yard line. Four plays later, Jackson, a redshirt freshman from Pueblo, Colorado, raced into the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
 
Following a defensive stop, the Chadron State offense drove 67 yards in six plays and tied the game with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jonn McLain to Kyle Vinich.
 
The second quarter belonged to the Eagles and Jackson. He added two touchdown runs of 2 yards and another 41 yarder in the quarter as the Eagles built a 35-24 halftime advantage.
 
While Jackson stole the show in the end zone, he wasn't the only CSC tailback who made plays. Paul added 13 carries for 81 yards and Michael Madkins carried the ball 24 times for 78 yards.
 
The Eagles' offense was balanced. They rushed for 251 yards and McLain completed 17 of 30 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. McLain's first scoring strike went to Kyle Vinich, who led the team with six receptions for 99 yards.
 
McLain, now the school's all-time leader in regular season passing yards with 9,463, also completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Zac Bargen, the first of his career, in the third quarter. McLain also added a 1-yard scoring plunge in the third.
 
Danny O'Boyle and Ethan Bauer each had three receptions for the Eagles. O'Boyle accumulated 44 yards, including 17 on a third and long, and Bauer had 33 yards.
 
Chadron State kicker Randy Wentz also booted a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to stymie Highlands' comeback attempt.
 
The Eagles' defense played well against one of the top offenses in the RMAC. Isaac Holscher led the way with 13 tackles and Dylan Furrier and Jojo Phillips each had 10 apiece. Ryan Wood added four tackles and a key fourth quarter interception and Mitch Collicott and Patrick O'Boyle both recovered fumbles.
 
CSC        14 21 14 3 – 52
NMH     14 10 14 0 – 38   
 
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
NMH – K. Campbell 4 rush (Zach Tapia kick)
NMH – K. Campbell 17 rush (Tapia kick)
CSC – Derek Jackson 25 rush (Rand Wentz kick)
CSC – Kyle Vinich 29 pass from Jonn McLain (Wentz kick)
Second Quarter
NMH – Tapia 30 field goal
CSC – Derek Jackson 2 rush (Wentz kick)
NMH – Travon Payne 13 pass from Lance Orender (Tapia kick)
CSC – Derek Jackson 41 rush (Wentz kick)
CSC – Derek Jackson 2 rush (Wentz kick)
Third Quarter
CSC – Jonn McLain 1 rush (Wentz kick)
NMH – CJ Grice 51 pass from Lance Orender (Tapia kick)
CSC – Zac Bargen 20 pass from Jonn McLain (Wentz kick)
NMH – Lance Orender 3 rush (Tapia kick)
Fourth Quarter
CSC – Randy Wentz 37 field goal