Mesa State (1-2, 1-1) defeated visiting New Mexico Highlands (0-4, 0-2) Saturday afternoon at Stocker Stadium 40-6 in its home opener and first win of the season.

MSC racked up 408 total yards with a balanced attack of 247 yards passing and 161 rushing. The Mavs defense held the Cowboys to 43 total rushing yards and picked off four interceptions for a 119 return yards.

The Mavericks scored at least three points in each quarter and scored 21 points in the fourth. The Cowboys were held scoreless until the fourth quarter scoring their only points on a 75-yard interception return with 7:47 remaining in the game.

 Sophomore Caleb Pavy got the Mavs on the board with a 32-yard field goal on the Mavs opening drive. MSC extended their lead to 10-0 on their next offensive possession on a 70-yard 7-play drive. Quarterback Michael Mankoff was 4-for-5 on the drive including two passes to backup quarterback Robert Felberg. Mankoff hit Nathan Neville on a 34-yard strike to start the series. Zach Adair's five-yard touchdown run sealed the drive.

 In the second quarter Pavy hit back-to-back field goals of 44 yards and 28 to push the Mavs lead to a 16-0 at halftime. MSC had 194 total yards at half with Mankoff and Felberg combining for 12-18 for 129 passing yards. MSC's final field goal was set up after an 80-yard interception return by Woody Blevins to the Highlands' five-yard line.

Trent deBraga picked off the first of four interceptions for the Mavs early in the second quarter.

 Pavy stretched the Maverick lead to 19-0 in the opening possession of the third quarter. Following a Domonique Lewis sack on the Cowboys attempt on a fourth and 19, MSC drove 51 yards to the Cowboys 13-yard line before settling on a Pavy 30-yard field goal.

 Nathan Neville scored his first touchdown of the year on an 18-yard reception from Mankoff on the Mavs first possession in the fourth quarter for a 26-0 lead. Neville and Mankoff were a perfect 2-for-2 on the drive with a 43 yard reception, a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty and 18 yard touchdown pass.

 After two stalled drives by each the Cowboys and the Mavericks, the second resulting in an MSC fumble. NMHU's possession was shut down on the third interception of the day when MSC's Caleb Powell picked off a Jordan Mendoza pass and returning it 20 yards to the Highlands 42-yard line.

 MSC turned the ball over on the ensuing drive on a Kenny Shanahan 75-yard interception return (PAT failed) for the Cowboys (6-26).

NMHU forced the Mavericks to punt and with 5:38 left in the game drove down to MSC's 3-yard line when Connor Wright picked up a fumble and returned it 90-yards for the touchdown and a 33-6 lead.

 MSC's final score was the result of a Jason Haferman to Felberg 8-yard touchdown reception with a minute remaining.

 The game ended on a Zay Lopez interception as time expired.

 The Mavericks were 7-for-7 in the red zone, tallied six sacks for 36 yards and forced five turnovers (4 interceptions, 1 fumble).

 Tony Kelly led all players with a game high 9 tackles and had one sack and one pass breakup. Lewis, Nainoa Campbell, Jake Bruno and Wright each had a sack.

 Michael Mankoff went 16-for-26 for 210 yards and one touchdown. Felberg was 3-for-6 for 29 yards. Haferman finished 1-for-4 with one touchdown pass and one interception.

 Neville had a team high seven catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.

 Highlands was held to 43 rushing yards and tallied just 19 rushing yards in the first half. NMHU had 256 passing yards with Kevon Williams leading all receivers with seven receptions for 150 yards.

 MSC will travel to Silver City, New Mexico for a match up with Western New Mexico this Saturday, October 2 at Noon (MST).