Mesa State (2-4, 2-3) football fell 46-10 to No. 24-ranked Colorado School of Mines (6-1, 5-0) Saturday afternoon at Campbell Field in Golden, Colo.
The Orediggers racked up 529 total yards; passing for 356 and gaining 173 yards on the ground.
CSM took a 3-0 lead on a 39-yard field goal after their opening drive stalled at the MSC 22-yard line.
Late in the second quarter MSC's goal-line stand held the Orediggers to a 24-yard field goal and a 6-0 lead with 2:53 remaining in the first half.
On the ensuing kickoff the Mavericks fumbled the ball and Mines recovered it on the MSC 11-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage CSM scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass and a 13-0 lead to close out the first half.
MSC opened the second half on a 13-play, 65-yard drive to the Mines' 8-yard line. Caleb Pavy 25-yard field goal put the Mavs on the board, 13-3.
CSM answered back connecting on back-to-back completions and scoring on a 38-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 19-3 (PAT blocked).
Following stalled drive by each team the Orediggers punted to the Mavs 21 where MSC fumbled the punt and Mines recovered the ball on the MSC 12-yard line. Mines stretched the lead to 26-3 two plays later on a 3-yard touchdown run by Dan Palmer.
The Orediggers scored 20 points in the fourth quarter converting on three of four possessions. Two touchdown passes and another Palmer touchdown run increased the Oredigger lead to 46-3.
MSC scored their only touchdown of the game with five seconds remaining in regulation on a 6-yard pass from Jason Haferman to Brennan Belloni.
CSM went 7-for-7 in the redzone, scoring five touchdowns and two field goals. MSC was in the redzone three times scoring twice.
James Hamm rushed for a team high 66 yards on 24 carries. Michael Mankoff completed 18-of-32 passes, both season highs, for 161 yards.
Buddy Blevins finished with six catches for 48 yards and Nathan Neville had four receptions for 57 yards.
MSC turned the ball over three times resulting in 14 points for the Orediggers.
Jake Edmiston recorded a team high seven tackles and Chad Benkelman recorded five tackles and one interception.
MSC returns home Saturday night to host CSU-Pueblo at 6 p.m. at Stocker Stadium.
Box Score
