Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Colorado Mesa football team stopped New Mexico Highlands on fourth down to secure a 22-17 win over the Cowboys in Las Vegas, New Mexico Saturday (Oct. 5).

With just over two minutes remaining in the contest, the Cowboys appeared to be driving down the field for the winning touchdown. The CMU defense had other ideas, stopping the 11-play 77-yard drive with a pair of goal line stops on back-to-back NMHU running plays and regaining possession of the ball on downs with 17 seconds remaining.

CMU jumped out to an early lead scoring on its first two possessions of the game. Jake Cimolino capped a nine-play 69-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. Cimolino finished with 79 yards on 19 carries (4.2 ypc) and moved into third place in career rushing at CMU with 2,836 yards.

Eli Williams booted a 21-yard field goal with 4:27 in the first quarter to put the Mavs up 9-0.

The Cowboys got on the board following a 38-yard touchdown pass by Emmanuel Lewis to Michael Harrison at the 9:56 mark of the second quarter.

Each team would make a field goal before Jason Haferman completed a 44-yard touchdown pass to DJ Hubbard with 34 seconds left in the first half to give Mesa a 19-10 halftime lead.

Akeelie Mustafa scampered for a 44-yard touchdown run to pull the Cowboys within two points, 19-17, mid-way through the third quarter.

Tanner Donahue concluded the scoring with a 31-yard field goal with 2:25 remaining in the fourth quarter to complete an 11-play 71 yard drive that burned 4:12 off the clock.

Highlands offense racked up 621-yards of total offense, including 440 yards through the air, but was hampered by 177 penalty yards.

Mesa finished with 355 total yards of offense and 45 penalty yards.

Jason Haferman and Kyle Duran rotated through the game at quarterback for the Mavs. Haferman completed 13-of-20 passes for 137 yards and one touchdown pass, while Duran was 7-of-21 for 121 yards and one interception.

DJ Hubbard was the duo's favorite receiver on the day catching six passes for 72 yards.

Colorado Mesa (3-2, 2-1) hosts Western New Mexico Oct. 12.