GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. – Despite strong play from its defense, turnovers plagued the Colorado Mesa University football team in a 16-13 overtime loss to Midwestern State at Stocker Stadium Saturday (Sept. 12).

Midwestern State got on the board first with a 30-yard field goal to complete a five play, 34-yard drive with 9:01 left in the first quarter.

The Mavericks next drive lasted just one play as Sean Rubalcaba threw an interception that was returned to the CMU 14 yard line.

The Mavs defense went to work. MSU advanced the ball 10 yards to set-up first and goal. The Maverick defense stopped the Mustangs on four straight rushing plays to take over on downs.

Three drives later the Mavericks would get bit by the turnover bug once again as DJ Hubbard rumbled for 35 yards before fumbling at the end.

The Mavs turned the table on the Mustangs on the ensuing drive with an interception by Dustin Rivas to take over at midfield.

Sean Rubalcaba would leave the game a few plays later with an injury. He finished his night 2-for-5 for 11 yards.

The drive would end with a high snap over the head of punter Austin Pitchford that was picked up and returned 30 yards for a touchdown by Tari Jones to extend the MSU lead to 10-0 with seven minutes left in the second.

Ryan Sheehan finally got the Mavs on the board with a 27-yard field goal just before the half.

The Mavericks capitalized on an interception by Salim Cleghorne in the third quarter for its only touchdown of the game.

Aric Kaiser completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Hines to complete a 13 play, 96-yard drive for the Mavericks at 4:10 of the third.

Midwestern's next scoring drive started at midfield following a dropped snap on a punt by CMU. The Mustangs drove 29 yards on nine plays ending with a 30-yard field goal to regain the lead 13-10 with 3:23 remaining.

CMU marched 65 yards down field on 15 plays to set-up a game-tying 23-yard field goal by Ryan Sheehan.

The two teams would head to overtime with the Mavericks starting on offense. CMU's opening drive ended with zero points after the Mavs threw an interception on its sixth play. Kaiser finished 16-of-32 for 144 yards with one interception and one touchdown.

The Mustangs would gain just 14 yards on six plays before booting a 28-yard field goal for the win.

CMU finished with a 362-328 edge in total offense. The Mavs dominated time of possession 32:15 to 27:45.

The defense was a bright spot for the Mavericks keeping the Mustangs out of the endzone. MSU scored on three of its four trips inside the red zone with all three field goals.

Tom Saager led the defense with a game-high 18 tackles, including 10 solo. He also made one and a half tackles.

DJ Hubbard finished with a game-high 127 yards for CMU. Marcus Hines also finished with a game-high 50 yards receiving for CMU.

Colorado Mesa (1-1) will host Adams State Sept. 19 in the RMAC opener for both schools.