Complete Notes in PDFThe Colorado Mesa University football team will seek its sixth straight RMAC win this Saturday (Oct. 24) when it travels to Durango, Colo., to face Fort Lewis.
Series
Colorado Mesa has leads 29-11 in the all-time series with Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks 28-20 win last year was the first in the series since 2006. Mesa has won the last four meetings in Durango with the last Skyhawk win in Durango coming in 2005.
Polls
Colorado Mesa is ranked No. 23 in the latest American Football Coaches Association Poll. The last time the Mavericks were nationally ranked was the final poll of 2007 when the team was ranked 19th.
Player of the Week
Salim Cleghorne was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week for his outstanding play against Western New Mexico. He is the fourth Maverick to earn player of the week honors this season. The Upland, Calif., native picked off two passes, returning one 63 yards for a touchdown. It was the Mavericks' fourth defensive touchdown of the year. Cleghorne also broke up two additional passes and made five tackles, including two solo. Cleghorne leads the RMAC and ranks sixth in Div. II with 0.7 interceptions per game.
Interceptions
Colorado Mesa tied its season-high with four interceptions in the win over Western New Mexico. CMU has 16 interceptions, second most in Div. II. Henderson State leads Div. II with 18 picks this season. The Mavs rank eighth in turnovers gained with 22.
Tough Decision
Opponents have had a hard choice on fourth down this season. Mesa ranks sixth in Div. II and leads the RMAC in fourth down defense this season at .176. Punting is not a safe option either as the Mavs rank fourth in Div. II and lead the league in punt returns at 22.14.
Dustin Rivas ranks second in Div. II in punt returns averaging 20.9 yards.
Returns
Colorado Mesa posted its longest kickoff and interception returns of the season in last week's win over Western New Mexico.
DJ Hubbard's kick return of 37 yards was the longest by a Mav this season.
Salim Cleghorne's interception return of 63 yards for a touchdown was the longest by a Mesa player this season.
Defensive Touchdowns
CMU scored two defensive touchdowns, both on interception returns, last week against WNMU. The Mavs have scored four defensive touchdowns this season, second most in Div. II.
Tackles
Colorado Mesa tied its season-high with 79 tackles against Western New Mexico.
Tom Saager ranks second in the RMAC in both solo tackles (5.9) and total tackles (10.6).
Blake Nelson ranks second in the RMAC in tackles for loss (1.4) and fifth in sacks (0.64).
Academic Honors
Colorado Mesa had four players earn first-team all-academic honors from the RMAC,
Taylor Schultz,
Tom Saager,
Dustin Rivas and
Austin Pitchford. Mesa had 14 other players earn All-RMAC Academic Honors (complete list on page three).
Play of the Week
Colby Dixon earned RMAC Play of the Week after leaping over the line and blocking a field goal attempt by Western New Mexico. Dixon has blocked the last two kicks for CMU with his previous block coming at Adams State on Oct. 20, 2014.
Scoring Defense
CMU is allowing 12.4 points per game, fifth-best in the nation. The Mavs rank eighth in red zone defense (.591). Mesa's opponents have made 22 trips inside the red zone this season, scoring 13 times, only four of which were touchdowns.
Turnover Margin
Colorado Mesa is averaging a turnover margin of +2.14 this season, second best in Div. II. Elizabeth City State leads Div. II with a turnover margin of +2.33.
Looking Ahead
Colorado Mesa will host Colorado Mines on Halloween. The game is the final regular season home game of the season for the Mavs. Kick-off is set for 1 pm.
