Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press

Junior college football season has officially begun.

The New Mexico Military Institute Broncos stepped out onto the gridiron under new head coach Kurt Taufa'asau for their season opener Saturday night against the Papago Pumas from Mesa, Arizona at the Wool Bowl.

Mother Nature put a damper on the opening preceding's by delaying kickoff three hours after a torrential downpour.

Once the officials cleared the way and the water receded on the turf, the teams took the field for the first time.

It was an all Bronco affair as they dominated the Pumas 40-9 in front of a faithful crowd.

"No matter how we got the W it's always refreshing and also exciting," said Taufa'asau. "Hopefully it was just a first week deal with guys just anxious to get out here and play.

"Overall we still got a long way to go. We got a lot of young guys competing for spots, so we're still evaluating."

Anthony Grant scored the first touchdown for the Broncos with a six-yard carry in the first quarter. After a missed point after attempt the score was 6-0.

Backed into the end zone on the five-yard line, the Pumas fumbled a handoff that was recovered by NMMI's Christian Sunu'i for the touchdown.

The Pumas punted away on their next drive on fourth and 26. NMMI put together a seven-play drive that resulted in a five-yard touchdown pass from Gage Guardiola to Jordan Mendoza with 1:33 left in the opening quarter.

Entering the second quarter, the bad luck continued for Papago's offense as it punted away once again.

NMMI capped off a 10-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run by Grant to extend the lead to 27-0 with 6:32 remaining until halftime.

Papago's offense had another turnover with a fumble that was lost, despite that it managed to get three points at the end of the first half with a 31-yard field goal by Gavin Haynes.

The Pumas started the second half on a high note on offense, scoring with a 50-yard pass from Cameron Beard to Antwan Finklin with 9:16 in the third quarter.

Papago trailed 27-9 after the missed point after attempt.

NMMI answered back on the next offensive series with a 19-yard touchdown run by Montahj Joseph.

The Broncos' final touchdown came on a three-yard scamper by quarterback Diego Pavia that capped off a nine-play drive with 9:54 in the final quarter.

NMMI finished with 233 yards of offense compared to Papago's 53. The Broncos also had 17 first downs to the Pumas' eight.

Guardiola and Pavia combined to go 8 for 12 with 41 passing yards.

NMMI had 192 rushing yards as Joseph led the backs with 61 yards on eight carries while Grant finished with five carries for 37 yards.

Mendoza grabbed two receptions for 11 yards.

The Broncos host the Maricopa Mustangs out of Glendale, Arizona next Saturday at 7 p.m.

"Sometimes in the game of football you just got to take what you can get," said Taufa'asau. "I'm proud of the way those guys competed.

"Not every game is going to be perfect, but it was good to see guys rotating in and just managing our offense."