ARVADA, Colo. – The No. 18 Colorado Mines football team will retain possession of the Nyikos Cup with a 37-23 win over Colorado Mesa Saturday (Nov. 1).

With the win, the Orediggers improve to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the RMAC. The Mavericks fall to 5-4 overall and 4-3 in the league.

Both teams would find the endzone in the first quarter, but Mines would block the point after to lead 7-6.

Mines extended its lead to 10-6 with a 28-yard field goal at 10:34 of the second quarter.

The Mavericks would need just one play on its next scoring drive thanks to a 70-yard touchdown run by Daryl Hawkins.

Mines would enter halftime with a 17-13 lead after quarterback Justin Dvorak scored on a four-yard run to cap a 14 play, 62-yard drive.

CSM would open the scoring in the second half with a pair of field goals by Avery Llewellyn at 5:32 of the third quarter and 14:37 of the fourth quarter.

On Mesa's next possession, Daryl Hawkins ran 62-yards to the Mines five-yard line. Two plays later he scored his second touchdown of the day on a two yard rush. He finished with 142 yards on nine carries (15.8 ypc).

Mines would march 75 yards on six plays on the following drive. Jimmy Ellis caught a five yard touchdown pass to extend the Mines lead to 30-20.

Ryan Sheehan kicked a 28-yard field goal for CMU at 7:46, but Ellis caught his second touchdown pass at 6:23 to conclude the scoring.

Mines finished with 527 total yards, including 353 passing yards. Mesa ran for 221 yards to finish with 406 yards of total offense.

CMU quarterback Andrew Cota completed 19-of-41 passes for 185 yards. He also rushed for 75.

Virnel Moon caught a team-high six catches for 51 yards, and Daniel Perse finished with a team-high 84 yards receiving on five catches.

Marc Palacios led the CMU defense with a game-high 12 tackles, five solo, and one sack.

Mines quarterback Justin Dvorak completed 28-of-49 passes for 353 yards.

Colorado Mesa will host CSU-Pueblo Nov. 8 at 7 pm.