The 20th-ranked Cardinals came alive in the second half Saturday at Bruce Field to open the season with a 36-10 win against New Mexico Military Institute in a Southwest Junior College Football Conference opener.
After trailing 10-6 at the half, the Cardinals rode the arm of quarterback Jeremy Hunt and a no-nonsense defense to reel off 30 unanswered points in the final two quarters.
In his first game as a Cardinal, Hunt connected on 27-of-40 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. He did not play favorites slinging the ball around, completing passes to 14 different receivers.
The Cardinal defense pitched a shutout in the second half, allowing just two first downs and 21 yards.
Joren Dickey led the defensive effort with nine tackles. Sheadrick Green and Race Moser had eight each. Dickey and Green also had one sace each, as did Keshawn Jackson and Cody Davis.
The Cardinal defense also came up with a turnover that led to a score when Jaeden Ward recovered a fumble.
Eddie Godina provided the first nine Cardinal points, booting field goals of 31, 37 and 46 yards.
The Cardinals took the lead for good with 5:29 left in the third quarter on a 12-yard pass from Hunt to Jamon Mack. The touchdown put the Cardinals in front, 15-10.
NMMI fell to 1-1 with the loss.
The Cardinals are scheduled to be at home Saturday against Tyler (1-1). Game time at Bruce Field is 7 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
TVCC – Eddie Godina 26 FG
NMMI – Taylin Nalls 10 pass from Ephriam Tuliloa. (Roland Tyson kick)
NMMI – Tyson 31 FG.
TVCC – Godina 37 FG.
TVCC – Godina 46 FG.
TVCC – Jamon Mack 12 pass from Jeremy Hunt. (Pass fails)
TVCC – Dwight Walker 3 pass from Hunt. (Godina kick)
TVCC – Zion Hester 2 run. (Godina kick)
TVCC – Willie Cherry 2 pass from Hunt. (Godina kick)
TVCC STAT LEADERS
PASSING – Jeremy Hunt completed 27-of-40 for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns.
RUSHING – Bernard Dankyi had 44 yards on 11 carries. Zion Hester had 39 on six and a touchdown.
RECEIVING – Keonta Fiakpui caught four passes for 79 yards to lead 14 receivers with receptions.
TACKLES – Joren Dickey was in on nine tackles, followed by Sheadrick Green and Race Moser with eight each. Green had five solo tackles.
SACKS – Joren Dickey, Keshawn Jackson, Sheadrick Green and Cody Davis had one each.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES – Jaeden Ward had one.