Box Score
The season opening game against Humboldt State Sept. 1 was more than just an anticipated season opening game for the Colorado Mesa Mavericks. It was the first game on campus as a University. But instead of a victory to bring in the new year, the Mavs fell to Lumberjacks 29-3.
“We just didn't compete,” coach Joe Ramunno said. “I thought we would come out and do that today, but we didn't do that.”
The Mavs looked ready to go from the opening kickoff, as they forced a turnover on downs. And despite giving up the games first points by a rushing touchdown to Humboldt's Lyndon Rowells, the defense blocked the extra point attempt. The offense drove the ball down the field, which led to a field goal by Caleb Pavy. That, however, would be the Maverick's only points of the game.
“We just weren't clicking tonight,” quarterback Robert Felberg said. “We are still new and young and we will practice hard next week and come back strong.”
Felberg, who received a shot on his knee just before the game, went 6-11 passing with 88 yards and rushed for 42 yards on 11 carries. Felberg was pulled out of the game in the second quarter to make way for freshman quarterback Chris Henderson.
“We just wanted to change the pace a bit,” Ramunno said. “We had put the ball on the ground too much, we weren't executing plays and we weren't hitting the open reads. We have to get things going. (Felberg) is a junior and he is capable of doing that. We just need to find his rhythm.”
Henderson also threw 6-11 with 33 yards and 29 yards rushing. He was eventually benched late in the fourth quarter as Felberg came back in to finish the game.
“It is a lot different than high school,” Henderson said. “The game is a lot faster. We just have to get better Monday. I'm not satisfied with how I did because we lost, but I need to take a step forward and get better next week.”
The Maverick defense gave up three touchdowns to the Lumberjacks, including two touchdown passes by senior quarterback Mike Proulx, who finished 21-35 with 366 yards passing and two touchdowns. The Mavs were out-passed 381 yards to 121 yards and outgained totally 528 yards to 245 yards.
“I think our defense did alright,” Domonique Lewis said. “We still have a lot more to work on. We had blown coverages and our line had zero sacks. But, it is week one and we have a lot of time to shake the rust off.”
After the Week One loss, the team is still optimistic about turning it all around and competing for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title.
“We are going to make a stellar improvement in all our areas,” Ramunno said. “We have to improve on our fundementals. I am disappointed right now, but I promise we will get better.”
The Mavs have a little over a week to improve before they hit the road to St. George, Utah to play Dixie State. The longer rest period will give the team time to let their injured players rest up and hopefully be in action against the Red Storm.
“Any time you have injuries it's real tough on a team,” Ramunno said. “We just have to get better and we will do better.”
