The Polls

Colorado Mesa will play a ranked opponent for the second straight week with Chadron State ranked No. 21. 

The Series

The Eagles lead the all-time series against the Mavericks 5-17 that dates back to 1991. The last CMU win over CSC was a 21-14 win in Chadron in 2003.

Conference Openers

Colorado Mesa is 4-6 in its last 10 conference opening games. 

Defense Dominates

CMU currently ranks second in the league in scoring defense allowing 13.0 points per game and third in fewest yards allowed (303.5).

Record Watch

Junior running back Jake Cimolino rushed for 92 yards on 15 carries (6.1 ypc) against Montana State. The Fort Bragg, Calif., native currently ranks fourth in career rushing yards with 2,551. He needs 275 yards to move into third place in the CMU record books. Cimolino currently ranks third in the RMAC in rushing averaging 106.0 yards per game. 

Chadron Ties

Chadron State is a familiar opponent for Mesa as several members of the coaching staff have ties to the Eagles. 

Head coach Russ Martin played several positions for the Eagles and graduated from CSC with a degree in physical education. 

Defensive coordinator Todd Auer served in the same capacity at Chadron for 17 years.

Running backs coach Ben Martin served as an assistant at Chadron for five seasons. 

Wide receivers coach Jeff Wilkerson and defensive backs coach Tanner Tetrault were each graduate assistants for the Eagles. 

Fake Punts

Colorado Mesa has successfully completed a fake punt for a first down the last two games. Punter Michael Brady scampered for 18-yards against Menlo and ran 22-yards against Montana State. Brady punted nine times at Montana State for 399 yards, including a long of 55 yards and two punts inside the 20. His 399 yards punting was 42 yards shy of his own school record. 

Looking Ahead

Colorado Mesa will host Black Hills State Sept. 28th at Stoker Stadium.