Complete Notes in PDF

Picked Fifth
Colorado Mesa was picked fifth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Mavericks received 46 points, 11 points ahead of sixth place Fort Lewis and nine points behind fourth place Adams State. The complete poll is located on page two. 

Russ Martin
Head coach Russ Martin enters his third season leading the Mavericks who have posted a 9-13 record under his tenure. Prior to coming to CMU, Martin served as the offensive coordinator at Neb.-Kearney. Other coaching stops included head coach at Black Hills State and assistant coaching positions at Baylor, Kansas Wesleyan, Bethany College and Missouri State. 

Schedule
Colorado Mesa will play 11 games in 2014, including six home contests. The Mavericks will open the 2014 campaign by hosting Great Northwest member Dixie State on Sept. 6. CMU will make its longest road trip of the year the following weekend to face Texas A&M-Kingsville. 

New Defensive Coordinator
Marcus Patton takes over as defensive coordinator for Colorado Mesa in 2014. Patton replaces Todd Auer who felt following the 2013 season to take the defensive coordinator position at Southern Illinois. Patton came to CMU from Fairmont State in West Virginia where he served as defensive coordinator. Patton has worked at several schools including, Seton Hill, UCLA, Indiana State and South Florida. 

Price is Right
Senior Jordan Price was named to the All-RMAC Preseason Team. The Fort Worth, Texas, native earned All-RMAC Second Team honors in 2013 after tallying 36 total tackles (29 unassisted, 14 assisted). He finished second on the team with five interceptions and a team-high 11 pass break-ups. 

Front Line
Colorado Mesa returns four of its five starting offensive lineman from 2013. Senior Teddy Silano returns at left tackle where he started all 11 games in 2013. Junior Zeth Ramsey started 11 games at right tackle, and junior Nick Leonard will move to center after starting 10 games at right guard last season. 

Edmiston Era Ends
The Mavericks will be without their defensive leader Jake Edmiston who completed his eligibility in 2013. Edmiston, who earned both All-American and Academic All-American honors, set the NCAA Div. II record for tackles in a season. Edmiston attended preseason camp with the Seattle Seahawks before suffering a season-ending injury. The Palisade, Colo., native graduated from CMU in the Spring and will work the Maverick coaching staff this fall. 

Dominating Defense
The Mavericks defense was one of the best in not only the RMAC but the nation as well. CMU led the RMAC and ranked third in passes intercepted with 23. The Mavs ranked third nationally with a league-leading 35 turnovers gained. CMU posted a .581 red zone defense which ranked fourth in the nation and first in the conference. The team ranked second in the league in fourth down conversion defense (.308) and third in fewest penalties yards per game (65.18).

Looking Ahead
Colorado Mesa will make its longest road trip of the year when they travel to Texas A&M - Kingsville for its final non-conference contest of the year.