Mesa State (3-7, 3-6) fell to Chadron State (8-3, 7-2) in its final regular season game, 31-21 at Stocker Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The visiting Eagles racked up 466 total yards with a balanced attack on the ground (197 rushing) and in the air (269 passing). Dominic Morris rushed 39 times for 153 and one touchdown, and led the team in receiving with a game high six receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown.
Chadron State fumbled the ball on their first offensive play from scrimmage that the Mavericks recovered on the CSC 9-yard line. MSC took a 7-0 lead four plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run by Will Halboth.
The Eagles tied the game at 7-7 on the ensuing drive going 81 yards in 12 plays scoring on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jonn McLain to Jeremy Sondrup with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter.
CSC scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 24-7 halftime lead. The Eagles opened the second quarter on a 37-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead. On back-to-back drives Chadron scored on a 52-yard pass from McLain to Morris (17-7). The Eagles final touchdown in the first half came with 1:27 remaining scoring on a McLain to Travis Reeves 11-yard touchdown reception.
Mesa State opened the second half, capitalizing again on an opening drive fumble by the Eagles. MSC's Tony Kelly recovered the ball on the Chadron 32-yard line. On MSC's first offensive play the Eagles were flagged for pass interference moving the ball to the CSC 17-yard line. JR Hamm rushed 17-yards on the next play to pull the Mavs to within 14-24 with 13:51 remaining in the third quarter.
Chadron came right back moving the ball 86-yards in 11 plays on a Morris 13-yard touchdown run for a 31-14 lead. Morris carried the ball six times for 31 yards in the series.
MSC shut out the Eagles in the fourth quarter and scored late (2:29) on a Michael Mankoff to Robert Felberg 21-yard touchdown pass.
MSC recovered four fumbles and intercepted one pass for a season high five take-a-ways. Jake Edmiston forced three of the fumbles. Zay Lopez picked up his first interception and fumble recovery of the season. Lopez led all players with 14 tackles, including six solo.
MSC had four players register double digit tackles; Lopez (14) followed by Domonique Lewis (13), Edmiston (12) and Trent deBraga (10). deBraga, Tony Kelly and Chaz Vaughan each recovered a fumble. MSC's defense registered 12 tackles for loss yardage.
Offensively Michael Mankoff was 8-for-23 for 99 yards and one touchdown pass. He was sacked once and threw three interceptions. Hamm carried the ball 27 times for 17 yards. Felberg registered three catches for 34 yards and one touchdown.
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