BLINN FOOTBALL DEFEATS NEW MEXICO MILITARY 34-21

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

The Blinn College football team wanted to make a statement in its Southwest Junior College Football Conference opener.

Running back Jordan Hayes and the Buccaneer defense took that mission into their own hands.

Hayes rushed for three touchdowns – including two big scoring runs of 54 and 67 yards – and Blinn’s defense recorded three interceptions while keeping New Mexico Military Institute at bay for the majority of a 34-21 Bucs victory at Cub Stadium in Brenham, Texas.

Blinn improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the SWJCFC.

“Any time you win in this conference, it’s a big-time victory,” Blinn head coach Ryan Mahon said. “NMMI was battle-tested with games against good teams like Hutchinson and Kilgore, so for us to go out and do the things we did tonight I think was a testament to our kids and their ability to execute our game plan. I was really pleased to say the least.”

Hayes, who saw limited action during his team’s two blowout victories to open the season, shined in his first extended action of the season.

After a 20-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Matt Velasco gave the Bucs a 3-0 lead with 30 seconds to go in the first quarter, Hayes got Blinn going again early in the second quarter.

From the 46-yard line, Hayes took a handoff from freshman quarterback Jack Emerson, and when he saw a NMMI defender standing in the way of his initial running lane, he quickly cut back to the right side and found space up the middle for a clear path to the end zone. Velasco’s PAT made it 10-0 at the 13:28 mark of the second quarter.

Blinn’s first of three defensive interceptions landed in the hands of freshman defensive back Aaron Andrews Jr. deep in Broncos territory. The turnover set the Bucs up at the NMMI 14-yard line, and they turned the takeaway into points when Emerson hit freshman wide receiver Jayphon Duncan on a 5-yard scoring pass with 11:06 left in the half.

Velasco made it 17-0.

Following a NMMI punt, Blinn’s next offensive series lasted just one play. Hayes took another handoff from Emerson and raced to the outside and down the sideline for 67 yards and a 24-0 Bucs advantage.

“On both of those big plays, I was just patient and let my linemen find their blocks,” Hayes explained. “Once they did, I just made a little cut, found and lane, and ran for it.”

NMMI cut into Blinn’s lead with a touchdown pass that made it 24-7 just before the end of the first half.

Velsaco added a 23-yard field goal to make it 27-7 with 4:01 left in the third, and Hayes added his third TD on a 17-yard scamper to make it a 24-point lead just before the end of the quarter.

The Broncos scored on a touchdown pass at the 8:50 mark of the fourth quarter and added another score through the air as time expired.

Though NMMI found moderate offensive success, Blinn’s defense limited the damage with timely takeaways.

Freshman defensive back Caleb Cooper picked off NMMI sophomore quarterback Jake South late in the third quarter and snagged another interception off a tipped pass with about six minutes remaining in the game.

Cooper now has three interceptions this season. 

“Tonight’s defense really started with our defensive line and our linebackers putting pressure on NMMI’s running attack,” Cooper said. “One we plugged the holes up, they had to pass it a bit more than I think they wanted to, and our defensive backs were able to make the plays we’re coached to make.”

Blinn is 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play for the first time since 2022. The Bucs continue their conference slate against No. 6 Navarro College at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Corsicana, Texas.

“This was a great win tonight and a big first step toward where we believe we’re capable of going this season,” Mahon said. “Now we have to go back out there next week and do it again.”

PASSING

Jack Emerson 11-23, 172 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

RUSHING

Jordan Hayes 23 carries, 170 yards, 3 TD

Jack Emerson 6 carries, 34 yards

Lorenn Johnson 3 carries, 24 yards.

RECEIVING

Jayphon Duncan 3 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD

Savion Conteh 2 receptions, 53 yards

Cedric Nash 2 receptions, 27 yards

Braylen Harris 2 receptions, 9 yards

Tyler Harrington 1 reception, 32 yards

Tracy James Jr. 1 reception, 4 yards