GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Mavericks are on the road again this weekend for a big Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup. Colorado Mesa will take on the ThunderWolves of Colorado State University Pueblo this Saturday, October 19^th, at 2pm at the Neta and Eddie DeRose Thunderbowl. The contest against No. 15 ranked CSU-Pueblo will be one of the most challenging games for the Mavericks this season.
 
The Mavericks are 3-3 overall and 3-2 in RMAC play. Although Mesa hasn't had the start to the season they had hoped for, they have found success on the road with a 2-0 record for away games this season, which they are looking to continue with this weekend. The opponent, CSU-Pueblo, is heading into this matchup at #15 on the AFCA national poll with a 5-1 overall record, and 4-1 in the RMAC with their only loss of the season coming from their 14-34 defeat to Colorado School of Mines.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES: 18-18-5
AT COLORADO MESA: 5-4
AT CSU-PUEBLO: 8-4-2
 
LAST FIVE MEETINGS vs. CSU-Pueblo
2018: Loss, 36-14
2017: Loss, 30-24, @ Pueblo
2016: Win, 20-19
2015: Loss, 51-20, @ Pueblo
2014: Loss 52-3
 
Quick Recap
This Saturday October 12^th, the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa Mavericks took on the Skyhawks of Fort Lewis College. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference matchup took place at Ralph Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Colorado. The only score of the first half came by the Skyhawks, scoring a field goal in the second quarter. Although Mesa trailed headed into halftime, the second half saw much more action by both teams. The Mavericks got a leg up over the Fort Lewis after a Hayden Bollinger touchdown. The Skyhawks answered with a touchdown of their own, and then Lucas Ruiz-Diaz tied it up 10-10 with a 37-yard field goal. But the Mavericks sealed the deal on a 48-yard rushing touchdown my Isaac Maestas. Colorado Mesa claimed their first home victory of the season over the Skyhawks, 17-10.
 
The Maverick defense put on a show, holding the Skyhawks to 238 total yards of offense. Senior defensive lineman, Ricky Hayes topped off the night with two and a half sacks. While Greyson Matalus, a redshirt sophomore had a game-high of 13 tackles.
 
National Leaders
This week the Mavericks have two players included in national rankings. Senior captain, Mason Newton, is on national leader boards for both sacks and tackles for a loss. Newton is tied for first in the nation for tackles for a loss with, 13 solo tackles for a loss, 4 assisted tackles for a loss, for a combined loss of 59 yards. Newton is also tied for sixth in the nation for sacks with seven solo sacks, one assisted sack, for 40 yards. Another Maverick making the national rankings is Nick Ciccio, a redshirt sophomore from Castle Pines, Colorado. Ciccio is tied for fourth nationally for interceptions per game. Ciccio has 4 total interceptions for 54 yards and one touchdown.
           
RMAC Top 10 Players
The Mavericks and the Thunderwolves also have a number of players topping the RMAC rankings on both offense and defense.
 
Sacks
            Mason Newton (2nd): 8 solo, 1 assisted, 40 yards
            James Maxie (4th): 4 solo, 3 assisted, 38 yards
            Reed Rowan (5th): 4 solo, 2 assisted, 19 yards
            Trevor Phillip (9th): 3 solo, 3 assisted, 27 yards
            Logan Bayus (10th): 3 solo, 1 assisted, 17 yards
 
Tackles
            Greyson Matalus (8th): 21 solo, 35 assisted
            Mason Newton (10th): 23 solo, 24 assisted
 
Interceptions
            Nick Ciccio (1st): 4 interceptions, 54 yards, 1 touchdown
            Marcus Lawrence (3rd): 3 interceptions, 65 yards, 1 touchdown
            Greyson Matalus (6th): 2 interceptions, 9 yards
           
Fumbles Forced
            Jaden Zadlo (3rd): 2 forced fumbles
            Naijel Hale (8th): 1 forced fumble
            Christian Shaver (9th): 1 forced fumble
 
Passing Yards
            Jordan Kitna (6th): 666 yards, 2 touchdowns
            Aaron Howard (7th): 763 yards, 10 touchdowns
 
Rushing Yards
            Isaac Maestas (3rd): 435 yards, 4 touchdowns
            DJ Penick (4th): 424 yards, 6 touchdowns
            Austin Micci (10th): 307 yards, 3 touchdowns
 
Receiving Yards
            Peter Anderson (2nd): 28 receptions, 559 yards, 4 touchdowns
            KJ Sapp (10th): 21 receptions, 233 yards, 3 touchdowns

Looking Ahead
Next week the Mavs return to stocker stadium, for their Homecoming game. The Homecoming game will be Saturday, October 26^th, at 1pm at Ralph Stocker Stadium. Colorado Mesa will play against the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State University. After next weekend's contest, the Mavs will only have one more home game for the 2019 season.