CHADRON, Neb. -- October 15, 2016 -- The Chadron State College football team abruptly broke its five-game losing streak by stampeding past the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys 73-0 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles opened the scoring on a field goal and then posted 10 touchdowns, five of them in each half. They are now 2-5 for the season and 2-4 in the conference. Highlands is 0-7 and 0-6. 

"I knew we are a much better team than we had demonstrated so far this season, but I never expected anything like this," said Chadron State Coach Jay Long with reference to the lopsided score. "Our offensive line had its best game, the running backs ran hard and the defense pitched a shutout. The big thing is we finally put together four good quarters." 

The Eagles' point total is their highest since defeating Tabor College 74-0 in 1994. 

With five backs sharing the ball carrying duties, the Eagles rushed for 441 yards, their third highest total all-time. Quarterback Matt Vinson also completed seven of 14 passes for 105 yards. He passed just twice in the second half.  

Senior Cody Paul was the scoring leader, carrying for 1- and 51-yard touchdowns from scrimmage and returning a punt 70 yards to the end zone. He set up his first touchdown with a 53-yard punt return. 

Derek Jackson (1- and 5-yard runs), Kevin Coy, Jr (3 and 16), and Stevann Brown (10 and 45) each scored twice. Priest Jennings scored from 6 yards out after racing 28 yards two plays earlier. 

Both Brown and Jennings are redshirt freshmen and finished with 115 and 100 yards rushing, respectively. Coy added 98 yards, Jackson 72 and Paul 66. The five averaged 8.5 yards a carry. 

A true freshman, Will Morgan, kicked a 35-yard field goal and booted all 10 extra points to tie the Chadron State record. 

New Mexico Highlands finished with 225 total net yards. Tailback Hunter Graham carried 24 times for 91 yards, and quarterback Cody Keith completed 15 of 32 passes for 136 yards.  

The Cowboys' only scoring threat was early in the fourth quarter when they reached the Chadron State 30 and attempted a 46-yard field goal that fell short.  

Highlands' linebacker Eric Smith was the game's busiest tackler with 12 unassisted and five assisted stops. Zech James led the Eagles while participating in 10 tackles. CSC's Joey Hopkins was in on seven tackles and returned an interception 39 yards.  

Chadron State's Long said the Eagles will try to use the momentum from Saturday's game to finish their season strong. He noted that the next four opponents are among the RMAC's most formidable. The first of the four is South Dakota Mines. The teams will meet in Rapid City this coming Saturday.   

New Mexico Highlands                0              0              0              0              ----0 
Chadron State                   10           28           21           14           ----73 

First Quarter  
CSC—Will Morgan 35 field goal. 
CSC—Derek Jackson 5 run (Morgan kick) 
Second Quarter 
CSC—Kevin Coy 3 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC—Cody Paul 1 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC—Derek Jackson 1 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC—Paul 51 run (Morgan kick) 
Third Quarter  
CSC—Stevann Brown 10 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC—Coy 16 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC---Stevann Brown 45 run (Morgan kick) 
Fourth Quarter 
CSC—Priest Jennings 6 run (Morgan kick) 
CSC—Paul 70 punt return (Morgan kick)