Box Score Colorado Mesa University (1-1) outscored host Dixie State College (0-2) 42-8 in the second half as the Mavericks defeated the Red Storm 52-30 to notch its first victory of the season. The win snapped a six-game road losing streak for CMU.
Trent deBraga returned two interceptions (34, 65) for touchdowns in the second half and Travis McRae picked off a Red Storm pass and returned it 62-yards to the end zone.
Connor Wright had a record breaking game setting two school records; Wright had 6 sacks (37 yards) and 7.5 tackles for loss yardage (39 yards), each single game records at CMU. He finished the evening with 12 tackles (11 solo), 2 quarterback hurries and 1 pass breakup.
The crowd of 3,669 at Hansen Stadium saw the Red Storm jump out to a 22-10 halftime lead including 16-second quarter points. CMU scored on the opening drive on a 13-yard run by quarterback Robert Felberg. The Mavs led 7-6 after one quarter as the Red Storm's PAT kick failed following a 22-yard TD pass.
Dixie took a 12-7 lead early in the second quarter (2-point conversion failed) and the Mavs answered back with a 38-yard Caleb Pavy field goal to pull to within two points (10-12). Dixie closed out the first half on a 6-yard TD pass and a 50-yard field goal for a 22-10 halftime lead.
The second half was all Colorado Mesa as the defense allowed just 8-second half points; a touchdown and 2-point conversion in the late in the third quarter.
Trent deBraga's interception return to open the third quarter pulled CMU to within five points (17-22). A defensive stop that included back-to-back sacks by Connor Wright, CMU drove 43 yards on 11 plays on a Will Halboth 5-yard rush. CMU's 24-22 lead was squandered when Dixie recovered a fumble and drove 54-yards and a 30-24 lead with a 1:54 remaining in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was all CMU as the Mavericks scored 28-unanswered points in a span of 7:22. Travis McRae's 62-yard interception return gave the Mavs the lead for good at 31-30. On the next Red Storm possession Trent deBraga's second interception of the day gave the Mavs a 38-30 lead with 6:48 remaining.
Felberg scored to put the Mavs ahead 45-30 on a 10-yard run after picking up a fumble by his teammate. Jai Johnson closed out the scoring on a 21-yard touchdown run with 1:24 left in the game.
CMU finished with 222 rushing yards and 54 passing. CMU's defense held the Red Storm to just 15 rushing yards and picked off Dixie's QB's five times (deBraga-2, McRae-2, Matt Yound-1) despite 356 total passing yards. Despite almost 100 more total yards for the Red Storm (371-276) the Mavericks defense forced five turnovers and recorded 8 sacks.
Jake Cimolino rushed for 144 yards on 21 carries. Felberg completed 6-of-16 for 54 yards. Trent deBraga totaled 224 all purpose yards. (99-interception yards, 125 kickoff yards).
CMU returns home Saturday, Noon at Stocker Stadium to open RMAC action versus Neb.-Kearney. The 13th-ranked Lopers defeated Northeastern State 65-10 Saturday in Kearney.
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