Box Score CHADRON, Neb. – John McLain completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Nathan Ross to lift No. 21 Chadron State to a 30-24 come from behind victory over the Colorado Mesa football team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference opener for both schools Saturday (Sept. 21).

The Mavericks would score on the first drive of the game with a 14 play drive that covered 71 yards and culminated in a 22-yard field goal by Eli Williams.

Williams then kicked a perfectly placed pooch kick on the ensuing kick-off that was recovered by the Mavericks on the Chadron 23-yard line that was moved to the 13-yard line following a personal foul on the Eagles.

CMU wasted no time on the drive that lasted only three plays and ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Jake Cimolino, his third touchdown of the season. Cimolingo finished the day with 146 rushing yards on 34 carries (4.3 ypc).

Ricky Trinidad was the featured back for the Maverick's next scoring drive carrying the ball five times for 25 yards. Quaterback Kyle Duran scored his second rushing touchdown of the season with a four-yard scamper to cap the 12 play, 69-yard drive that burned 3:51 off the clock. Duran would finish the contest with a season-high 157 yards through the air completing 15 of 27 attempts.

Chadron finally got on the board with a 13-yard touchdown reception by Chapman Ham with 9:43 remaining in the half, but CMU countered with another 22-yard field goal by Williams to give Mesa an 18-7 lead.

The half would end with a 40-yard boot by Randy Wentz as time expired to close the CMU lead to 18-10.

The Mavericks scored on their first possession of the second half that started after Cody Daniels intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards to the Chadron 11-yard line. Williams kicked his third field goal of the day, a 25-yarder, to put the Mavs up 21-0.

Chadron answered with touchdowns on its next two possessions to take its first lead of the game, 24-21, with 4:17 remaining in the third.
Williams would tie the game at 24 with his longest field goal of the game at 32 yards with 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Chadron took the lead for the final time with the 38-yard touchdown reception by Ross.

The Mavericks scored on six of their seven trips inside the redzone (two touchdowns and four field goals).

Chadron quarterback Jonn McLain completed 20 passes on 31 attempts for 213 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Jake Edmiston led the CMu defense once again with a team-high 12 tackles, with Andrew Hurley adding 11.

Colorado Mesa will return to the friendly confines of Stocker Stadium Sept. 28^th when it hosts Black Hills State for Parents Weekend.