GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Ryan Sheehan kicked a 38-yard field goal with 1:24 remaining to lift the Colorado Mesa University football team to a 31-28 win at Western State Saturday (Nov. 14).

The Mavericks finish the season 9-2 overall and 8-1 in RMAC play and will find out if they qualified for the NCAA Div. II Playoffs Sunday (Nov. 15).

Western kicked a pair of field of goals from 20- and 24-yards for an early 6-0 lead.

The Mavs took the lead at 11:03 of the second quarter when Aric Kaiser connected with Virnel Moon with a 53-yard touchdown pass.

The Mountaineers reclaimed the lead with a five-play, 66-yard drive capped by a 31-yard touchdown run by Isaac Fuqua at 2:17.

Mesa capitalized on a fumble by Western State with a 12-yard touchdown run by Aric Kaiser with 33 second remaining in the half to lead 14-13.

CMU scored the first 14 points of the second half. David Tann rumbled 47-yards for the lone score of the third quarter and Kaiser threw his second touchdown pass of the game, this time a 30-yard strike to Josh Brown at 13:31 of the fourth.

Western would not go away. Brett Arrivey threw a 10-yard touchdown to Anthony Apodaca at 11:44 of the fourth, and then Vince Grasso ran for a one-yard score. Western tied the game at 28 with a successful two-point conversion.

Sheehan gave Mesa the win with his 38-yard field goal.

The two teams were nearly identical in the stat categories. Western finished with slim leads in total offense (451-405), rushing yards (177-173) and passing (274-232).

Aric Kaiser completed 21-of-38 passes for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first start of the season.

Virnel Moon was Kaiser's favorite target catching a game-high nine passes for a game-high 125 yards.

David Tann led Mesa with 107 yards rushing on 11 carries (9.7 ypg).

Tom Saager finished with a game-high 13 tackles and one sack, and Blake Nelson recorded 12 tackles and blocked one punt.