Mesa State opened the 2010 season in St. Joseph, Missouri, falling to #19-ranked Missouri Western State 36-3 Thursday night. The Griffons racked up 446 total yards while holding the Mavericks to 90 total yards in each teams' season opener.
Missouri Western had two players rush for over 100 yards each and quarterback Drew Newhart completed 16 of 28 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. MSC's Trent deBraga intercepted a Newhart pass in the endzone in the Griffons third series of the game.
MWSU drove 60 yards in eight plays to open the game scoring on a 33-yard field goal by Brad Beckwith. The Griffons extended the lead early in the second quarter on a 24-yard field goal for a 6-0 lead. Missouri Western closed out the first half scoring 10 points in the final 3:43 on a 31-yard touchdown reception (3:04) and a 29-yard field goal with 39 seconds remaining.
The Griffons scored 14 points in the third quarter driving 59 yards in 9 plays following an interception on the Mavs opening drive. MWSU's Thomas Hodges' two-yard run gave the Griffons a 23-0 lead. MWSU's next possession resulted in a 7-yard touchdown reception with 1:27 left in the third quarter pushing the lead to 30-0.
MSC's only points came in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard field goal by Caleb Pavy. The Mavs Jonathan Wilson-Wheeler's blocked punt led to Pavy's field goal, his only FG attempt of the night.
MWSU's Beckwith made good on a 23-yard and 32-yard field goals for the final 36-3 score.
Missouri Western was a perfect 8-for-8 in the redzone and converted 10 of 19 third-down conversions. MSC was shutout of the Griffons redzone and were 2-of 12 on third-down conversions.
Redshirt freshman runningback Zach Adair led the team with 24 yards on 9 carries. Sophomore quarterbacks Robert Felberg and Michael Mankoff combined for 6-of-19 for 38 yards and threw five interceptions. Senior Zach Belloni had 20 yards on two receptions.
Sophomore cornerback Trent deBraga finished with a game high 12 tackles and one interception.
MSC will take advantage of a bye week in preparation for their RMAC opener September 18 at University of Neb.-Kearney.
