Complete Notes in PDF

The Colorado Mesa University football team will seek its fifth straight win in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference against New Mexico Highlands Saturday (Oct. 10) in Las Vegas, N.M. 

Series
Colorado Mesa has dominated the series with New Mexico Highlands winning 10 of the last 13 meetings between the two schools. 

Score 14
Colorado Mesa is 4-0 this season when it scores 14 or more points and 0-1 when it scores less than 13. 

Pair of Work Horses
Colorado Mesa University has used a pair of talented running backs with Jonathon Beverly and DJ Hubbard. Beverly is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and 104.4 yards per game. Beverly ranks 23rd in Div. II in yards per carry at 6.7. Hubbard is averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 80.2 yards per game. 

Passing Game
Sean Rubalcaba ranks in the top-25 in three passing categories in Div. II. The Grand Junction, Colo., native ranks fourth in passing yards per competition (16.9), ninth in yards per pass attempt (9.6) and 18th in pass efficiency (158.7). Rubalcaba has completed 46-of-82 passes this season for 779 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.  He has done a good job on the run rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns. 

Receiving Votes
For the second straight week, CMU received votes in the American Football Coaches Association Poll. 

Scoring Defense
CMU ranks fourth in Div. II in scoring defense at 11.0 points per game. The Mavs rank ninth nationally in red zone defense (.563) and 16th in defensive touchdowns with two. 

Turnover Margin
Colorado Mesa has a turnover margin of +8 this season, second-best in the RMAC. New Mexico Highlands ranks seventh in the league in turnover margin at -6. 

Time of Possession
CMU has lead in time of possession in all five of its games this season. Mesa is averaging 32:27 in time of possession while holding its opponent to 27:33. 

Fourth Down
Colorado Mesa leads the RMAC and ranks 13th in the nation in fourth down defense at .214 percent. New Mexico Highlands ranks ninth in the RMAC in fourth down conversion at .364 percent. 

Interceptions
The Mavericks have nine interceptions this season, second best in the RMAC and 14th in Div. II. Salim Cleghorne is averaging 0.6 picks this season, best in the league and 16th nationally. 

Tackles
Tom Saager is averaging 6.6 solo tackles per game, second most in the RMAC and 15th in Div. II. Taylor Schultz ranks 21st nationally and second-best in the RMAC in tackles for loss with 1.9 per game. 

Punt Returns
Colorado Mesa is one of the top punt returning teams in Div. II averaging 23.0 yards per return, fourth-best in the nation. Dustin Rivas is the Mavericks top punt returner averaging 21.5 yards per return, sixth-best in Div. II. 

Second Quarter
CMU scored 24 points in the second quarter last week against Black Hills State. Mesa has scored 37-percent (68 of 182) of its points in the second quarter this season. Highlands has allowed more points in the second quarter (69) than they have scored in all quarters combined (65).

Looking Ahead
Colorado Mesa will host Western New Mexico for Homecoming on Oct. 17th.