Garza sets Javelina passing record
BLACK WATER DRAW, NEW MEXICO - Behind a record-setting performance of former Brownsville Porter standout Billy Garza, Texas A&M-Kingsville held off Eastern New Mexico for a 35-32 Lone Star Conference win on Saturday.
Garza completed a school-record 28 passes on 44 attempts breaking former Rio Grande City standout Abel Gonzalez's record set during the 2001 season. Garza finished the game with 318 yards passing and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground.
The back and forth affair appeared like it might be heading to overtime late in the fourth quarter when the Greyhounds (1-8, 0-5) lined up for a potential game-tying 37-yard field goal with 4:34 remaining. Javelina (6-3, 2-2) defensive back Mardrick Johnson made a game-saving play when he blocked the field goal giving the Hoggies the ball at their own nine yard line.
Garza proceeded to drive the team 91 yards on eight plays capped by his 5-yard touchdown run with 1:38 to play. On the drive, Billy the Kid carried the ball three times for 31 yards and was 3-of-4 for 53 yards passing. His 26-yard completion to sophomore Ryan Lincoln was the record-setting completion.
The Javelina win combined with a Midwestern State University loss to Central Oklahoma puts the Hoggies right back in the thick of the playoff race. The win also insured the team's first winning season since 2005.
