Mesa State (5-5, 5-3) dropped its second consecutive game falling at Chadron State 31-7 Saturday afternoon  in the RMAC Game of the Week  televised on Altitude 2 Sports and Entertainment network.

MSC scored their only touchdown of the day in the first three minutes of the game as the Eagles went on to score 31-unanswered points.

MSC's Josh Padilla intercepted a pass on Chadron's first offensive possession and returned it 36-yards to the CSC 6-yard line. Quarterback Michael Mankoff hit Zach Belloni on a 4-yard touchdown reception and a 7-0 Mav lead.

MSC defense shut out the Chadron in the first quarter and held the Eagles in check until 1:38 remaining in the first half when Chadron scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. The Eagles closed out the half on a 42-yard field goal as time expired for a 10-7 halftime lead.

MSC struggled offensively in the second half gaining 25 total net yards and managing just one first down.

Chadron scored 21-second half points racking up 360 total net yards in the game.

Defensively the Mavericks were led by Aaron Silverthorn's game high 12 tackles, including 9 solo tackles. Bennett Newton finished with 11 tackles.

MSC will host first place Neb.-Kearney in the final regular season game Saturday at Stocker Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. Saturday is Senior Day for 14 Maverick players.