Mesa State (1-3, 1-2) dropped its third road game of the year at Western New Mexico (2-3, 1-2) 20-10 Saturday afternoon in Silver City.
MSC jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, capitalizing on two Mustang turnovers. On the third play of the game Chad Benkelman forced a fumble and Mac Alexander recovered the ball on their own 45-yard line. The Mavericks drive stalled at the WNMU 27-yard line and Caleb Pavy kicked a 45-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Late in the first quarter Kris Means pushed the Mavs lead to 10-0 on a 1-yard run touchdown run. The touchdown was set up by Benkelman's interception with 3:33 remaining in the first quarter, setting up the offense at the Mustangs' 27-yard line. With three consecutive carries by Will Halboth for 26 yards to the 1-yard line; Means pushed it across the goal line for a 10-0 lead.
WNMU tied the score in the second quarter on back-to-back scoring drives. The Mustangs scored on a 38-yard field goal (9:13) and then tied the game on a 5-yard touchdown pass, following an MSC fumble on their own 7-yard line.
After a scoreless third quarter the Mustangs scored the final 10 points in the fourth quarter on scoring drives of 73 yards and 80 yards respectively. WNMU took a 17-10 lead on a 4-yard touchdown with 12:31 remaining in regulation. The Mustangs sealed the victory with a 29-yard field goal with 2:15 left in the game.
MSC finished with 173 total yards (57 rushing) turning over the ball four times (3-fumble, 1-interception). The Mavs failed to execute a third down conversion (0-12).
WNMU racked up 362 yards and scored 3-of-4 times in the Redzone.
Defensively MSC was led by Mike Garza's team high eight tackles. Benkelman and Tanner Whaley combined for 10 tackles and each picking off a pass for a total of 36 return yards.
Halboth carried the ball 16 times for 57 yards. Woody Blevins finished with five receptions for 44 yards. Michael Mankoff was 14-of-27 for 116 yards and one interception.
Punter Mike Brady had a career day with nine punts for 396 yards.
MSC hosts Fort Lewis College Saturday night, 7 p.m. at Stocker Stadium. Homecoming events are scheduled for the week including the MSC Awards Banquet Friday night at the Mesa State College Center.
Box Score
