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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa defense held Menlo to 204 yards of total offense in a 34-0 shutout in front of 5,312 football fans Saturday night (Sept. 7) at Stoker Stadium. The season-opening win was the first for the Mavericks since a 41-14 win over Dixie State to open the 2007 season.

The two teams felt each other out over the first few possessions of the game before the Mavericks scored on their third drive of the game which started after Jordan Prince intercepted a pass by Menlo quarterback Erik Peterson and returned it 11 yards to the Oak's own 30-yard line.

The offense would capitalize on the short field situation with a seven play drive that culminated with a one yard touchdown run by Jake Cimolino.

CMU followed up with touchdowns on two of its next three possessions.

The Mavericks marched down the field thanks to a trio of rushers, Jerome Dennis, Jake Cimolino and Ricky Trinidad, for their second touchdown of the game. The threesome rushed for 25 yards on seven plays. Kyle Duran, who took over for starting quarterback Aric Kaiser who left earlier in the game due to injury, completed an 18-yard pass to Nate Neville and a 12-yard strike to Cimolino before running the ball himself for the one-yard score.

Duran was nearly flawless on the Maverick's next possession completing four-of-five passes. Cimolino found the endzone for the second time to cap off an 11 play 77 yard drive over four minutes. Cimolino finished with 120 yards on 15 rushes (8.0 ypc).

CMU entered halftime leading 21-0.

The Mavericks lone score of the third quarter came from the foot of Tanner Donahue, a 46-yard boot. Donahue followed up with a 42-yard field goal with 12:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Mesa's final scoring drive of the game lasted just one play. Mesa got the ball on the Menlo one yard line after the punter was tackled due to a poor snap. Jerron Dennis scored his first touchdown of the season with the one yard run.

CMU finished with 409 yards of total offense, including 243 on the ground.

Mesa's Kyle Duran threw for 142 yards on 16-of-29 pass attempts.

Jake Edmiston led the CMU defense with 14 tackles, including two sacks. The Mavericks finished with five sacks in the contest, including two by Ryan Sivetts.

Colorado Mesa (1-0) will play at FCS-member Montana State Sept. 14.