The Snow College football team claimed its first victory of the season over No. 14 New Mexico Military Institute Saturday in Ephraim.  The Badgers scored 21 points in the second half to earn the 27-13 victory.
 
Coming off a tough, last-second loss last week against Trinity Valley Community College, Snow College entered the matchup with the Broncos as the 10^th-ranked team in the nation in the NJCAA Division I Football Poll.  Conversely, the Broncos entered the top 15 after receiving votes in the preseason poll following a 75-17 victory against the St. George Junior College Eagles in week one.
 
NMMI opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Koby Muasau to Treyvion Beamon.  The Broncos held the 7-0 lead for only a few minutes before the Badgers responded near the end of the first period.
 
Badger's quarterback Donovan Smith found Ethan Wood in the end zone for a touchdown, but a missed extra point prevented Snow College from evening the score.
 
The Badgers immediately got the ball back after intercepting a Muasau pass and took over at the NMMI 32-yard line.  They couldn't maintain the momentum as a costly holding penalty put them behind the chains, forcing them to give the ball back a few minutes later.
 
Snow College controlled the ball for much of the second quarter.  The Broncos only had two possessions lasting a total of four minutes and 45 seconds.  Despite dominating the time of possession, the Badgers were unable to score throughout the rest of the first half. 
 
After receiving the second-half kickoff, Snow College put together a 9-play, 60-yard drive which culminated in a 1-yard touchdown rush from Hyrem Boren.  A failed 2-point conversion attempt gave the Badgers a 12-7 lead. 
 
The Broncos gained one first down on their first drive of the second half but were forced to punt after possessing the ball for only a couple of minutes.  The Badgers offense wouldn't give the ball back to the Broncos until a minute left in the third quarter.
 
Snow College forced two punts in the fourth quarter before getting the ball back with 6:43 to go.  Smith completed three consecutive passes on the drive, the final of which being a 19-yard pitch and catch to Ayo Shotomide-King for a touchdown.  Max Barker converted the 2-point try, giving the Badgers a 20-7 lead.
 
Needing two scores, the Broncos went into a hurry-up offense and marched the ball 77 yards down the field in just two and a half minutes on the subsequent possession.  They scored a touchdown on a 10-yard completion with 58 seconds remaining.  The 2-point conversion attempt failed as did the onside kick off attempt.
 
On the second play of the ensuing Badger's possession, Boren took the ball down the middle of the field and scored on a 53-yard rushing touchdown, sealing the 27-13 victory for the Badgers.
 
Snow College dominated time of possession controlling the ball for over 37 minutes of action, over 15 minutes more than the Broncos.  The Badgers also did not turn the ball over nor did they allow a sack throughout the entire game.  They outgained NMMI by 160 yards totaling 403 yards of total offense including 192 yards on the ground.
 
Defensively, the Badgers allowed just 33 rushing yards on 23 attempts.  They also had two sacks and six other tackles for losses throughout the game.
 
Smith threw for a total of 211 yards and two touchdowns.  Boren gained 91 yards on the ground on 13 attempts while Austin Bell gobbled up 76 yards on 14 attempts.  Jared Wilson caught five passes for 83 yards in the winning effort. 
 
Snow College will now prepare to take on the St. George Junior College Eagles next week.  The Eagles were idle last weekend but opened their season with a 75-17 loss to NMMI Aug. 26.  Saturday's game will serve as the first-ever meeting between the Badgers and the Eagles.  
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Terry Foote Stadium in Ephraim.  For tickets, video streaming, and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com.