The Snow College football team earned their seventh victory of the 2024 season with a 35-18 victory against New Mexico Military Institute Saturday in Roswell.  The Badgers now improve to 7-2 overall.
 
Snow College was coming off a tough 31-24 loss to No. 3 Georgia Military College last weekend in Ephraim.  As a result, the Badgers were dropped to 6^th in the NJCAA Division I Football Poll and are on the outside looking in on the football playoff.
 
The Badgers were forced to punt on their opening drive but were able to get the ball back almost immediately as Antonio Abren forced a fumble that was recovered by Titan Saxton, and Snow College took over at the NMMI 33-yard line.
 
The Badgers wasted no time breaking the scoreless tie and scored on the first play.  It was a familiar connection as Donnie Smith found Reggie Frischknecht who hauled in the 33-yard pass in the end zone to give the Badgers the early lead.
 
Snow College made another momentum-changing play on the Broncos' next drive.  After NMMI was able to move the ball down the field, the drive stalled, and it attempted a field goal.  Tevita Tuha broke through the line and blocked the field goal keeping the Broncos scoreless.
 
The Badgers struck again just two plays later.  Smith lofted a pass which was hauled in by Shandon King.  King was able to outrun two defenders 86 yards down the field and scored double the lead, 14-0.
 
History repeated itself on the final drive of the first quarter.  once again, the Broncos were able to move the ball but were again kept out of the end zone and attempted a field goal.  It was once again Tuha who got a hand on the ball to maintain the lead.
 
Snow College couldn't capitalize on the blocked field goal this time and was forced to punt.  It wouldn't be long, however, until the special teams struck again.  After the defense forced a 3-and-out, Bryan R. Cuthbertson blocked the 4^th-down punt.  The ball ricocheted toward the NMMI goal line, and Drew Patterson fell on it while diving into the end zone for the touchdown.
 
The Badgers would score once more before the end of the first half.  It was once again special teams that made the play.  The defense forced the Broncos to punt from inside their own 10.  The NMMI punter mishandled the snap, and Abren fell on the loose ball in the end zone for the score.  Snow College entered the break leading 28-0.
 
The Badgers extended the lead to 35 points midway through the third quarter.  It started with a 30-yard tote from Matt Wilson to put the Badgers in Bronco territory.  Snow College scored a few plays later on a 15-yard pitch and catch from Smith to Kael McCoy.
 
NMMI got on the board near the end of the third quarter.  The Broncos would add two more scores in the fourth quarter, but the Badgers would go on to win 35-18. Snow College allowed just 22 ground yards and forced seven turnovers.
 
Smith threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the win.  He continues to lead all quarterbacks in the nation with 30 touchdown passes this season.  Wilson tallied 121 yards on 20 attempts.  De'yhare Overstreet caught four passes for 112 yards to aid in the victory.
 
Snow College will play their final two games of the regular season at home, beginning with Monroe College Saturday in Ephraim.  The Mustangs are 4-4 overall and are coming off a 28-20 loss to No. 11 Lackawanna College last weekend. The Badgers have won each of their last two meetings with Monroe including a 32-13 victory in New Rochelle, New York last season. 
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. inside Terry Foote Stadium.  For video streaming and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com.