Inside the Series vs. Azusa Pacific

Colorado Mesa and Azusa Pacific met for the first time a year ago at Stcoker Stadium. The Mavericks picked up the 33-24 win over the Cougars with Ryan Sheehan connecting on four field goals.

Azusa Pacific made the NCAA Playoffs a year ago, losing a tough 34-21 decision to Sioux Falls in the opening round of the tournament.

The Cougars come into the matchup with a 6-4 record which is deceiving to the naked eye. Azusa has lost its four games to just two opponents, No. 7 Central Washington and No. 16 Humboldt State. Those losses have come by an average of just under seven points per game.

Azusa Pacific defensive coordinator Cesar Rivas-Sandoval was formerly a head coach at RMAC foe Fort Lewis.

BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK
With the win over South Dakota Mines last Saturday, Colorado Mesa claimed a share of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship for the third straight season. If CSU-Pueblo stumbles against Chadron State in their final game, the Mavericks would be the RMAC Champions outright.

TURNOVER MARGIN
Colorado Mesa moved their season turnover margin to plus-8 after Saturday's win. They intercepted the Hardrockers four times and scooped up a fumble on another. Cameron French intercepted a pass in the back of the endzone and returned it 100-yards for a touchdown. 

GROUND GAME
The Mavericks have rushed for 2,645 yards this season which ranks tops in the RMAC and seventh best in Division II. It is also the sixth highest total all-time with at minimum one more game to play. If quarterback Eystin Salum can rush for 148 yards, he and David Tann would be the second Maverick duo to eclipse 1,000 yards in program history. Marlo Johnson and Michael Vaughn accomplished the feat in 1988.

THROUGH THE AIR
Colorado Mesa has been efficient when going to the air on offense. Eystin Salum ranks fifth in the conference in completion percentage but is the number one ranked passer when it comes to yards per completion. Josh Brown leads the Mavericks in catches with 35 while Virnel Moon leads in both yards (611) and touchdowns (8).

BLOCK PARTY 2.0
The Maverick punt block unit was back at work on Saturday against South Dakota Mines as they blocked two more with one resulting in a 7-yard scoop and score for Corbin Covey. Colorado Mesa has blocked seven kicks, good enough for seventh nationally.

RECORD HOLDER
Quarterback Eystin Salum has already set the Colorado Mesa record for passing yards in a season with one game to go. His 2,338 yards eclipsed that of Sean Rubalcaba's 2,224 yards last season. 

WHAT'S ON THE LINE
A win would all but ensure the Mavericks would be selected for the NCAA Playoffs as they are the No. 6 team in this week's NCAA Super Region 4 Rankings. It would also give the Mavericks their first 10 win season since 2007 where they finished the season 10-2, losing to Abilene Christian in the NCAA Tournament.