Mesa State dropped its final road game of the year falling in double overtime at Adams State College 41-34.
The Mavericks fought back from a 20-3 deficit scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 2:03 left in regulation to tie the game at 27-27. Michael Mankoff found Brennan Belloni in the endzone for the tying touchdown sending the game to OT, the first OT for either team this season.
ASC won the toss and deferred in the first Overtime period only to see Mankoff and Belloni hook up again on a 20-yard touchdown pass and a 34-27 lead. It was the first lead of the day for the Mavericks. The Grizzlies answered the call on an eight-yard touchdown run by Terjean Saffold to tie the game at 34-34 and force a second overtime period.
Adams State had first possession in the second OT period and scored on the first play from scrimmage on a 25-yard pass reception from Trevor Eggleston to Dustin Bolt.
MSC's possession fell short on a failed fourth and goal from the nine-yard line. ASC was called for holding on third-and-five from the 20-yard line giving the Mavericks a first and goal at the 10-yard line. Following a one-yard gain by Will Halboth, three consecutive incomplete passes ended the game and the opportunity for the Mavs first road victory.
Adams State raced out to a 14-0 lead to start the game scoring on their first two possessions on drives of 68 and 63 yards respectively. MSC got on the scoreboard on a 43-yard field goal by Caleb Pavy with 19-seconds left in the first quarter.
ASC extended the lead to 20-3 (PAT failed) with 4:53 left in the first half, following a drive of 81 yards in 10 plays. Trevor Eggleston tossed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Terjean Saffold.
On the ensuing drive MSC scored its first touchdown of the game on a Zach Adair 1-yard run to pull to within 10-20 with 3:03 remaining. Quarterback Robert Felberg connected on passes of 18 yards and 24 yards to Brennan Belloni and Matt Anthony in the drive.
The Grizzlies next drive ended on the second play with Eggleston's pass intercepted by Trent deBraga and returned 17-yards to the ASC 35-yard line.
MSC drove to the Grizzlies 16 before settling for a Pavy 34-yard field on fourth down with 11 second remaining, closely out the first half trailing ASC 20-13.
Mesa State tied the game (20-20) on their first possession in the third quarter on a 46-yard touchdown run by Kris Means. On fourth and one at the ASC 46, Means broke through for his longest run of the season.
Adams State answered right back on their third play from scrimmage on a Saffold 40-yard touchdown run to take a 27-20 lead. Prior to the Mavs tying the game at 27, ASC missed a 25-yard field goal with 5:25 remaining that would have given the Grizzlies a 10 point lead.
MSC tied the game late in the fourth sending the game in to OT. Both teams had opportunities in the fourth quarter; MSC threw an interception on the ASC 20-yard line. ASC missed two field goals including a game winning 38-yard field goal with 16 second left in regulation that was blocked.
MSC registered a season high 452 total yards (153 rushing, 299 passing). Halboth gained a team high 56 yards on 12 carries. Means had 53 yards on four carries and one touchdown. Wide receivers Brennan Belloni and Felberg had six receptions each and combined for 230 of the Mavs 299 passing yards. Michael Mankoff was 17-of-35 for 246 yards, two touchdown passes and one interception. Felberg completed three passes on five attempts for 53 yards.
Caleb Pavy was successful on two field goals (43, 34) and had one blocked (45).
Trent deBraga finished with a game high 180 all purpose yards with 132 kick return yards, 31 punt return and 17 yards on an interception return.
Chaz Vaughan in his first start this season finished with a team high 10 tackles including six solo. He registered one tackle for loss yardage (4) and one quarterback hurry. deBraga and Jake Edmiston had nine tackles each.
MSC will wrap-up the season at home next Saturday versus Chadron State at 1 p.m. at Stocker Stadium.
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