LAST WEEKEND
Last weekend, the Mavericks collected a much-needed win on the road against Chadron State College. The first half opened with an explosive play by Peter Anderson, who took in a pass by Aaron Howard for a 74-yard score on Colorado Mesa's first drive of the game. In the second quarter Lucas Ruiz-Diaz kicked a 51-yard field goal, a career long for the sophomore. The Eagles led the Mavericks at the half 16-13. After a quiet third quarter the score was 23-20, then in the fourth Hayden Bollinger connected with Dagan Rienks for a 25-yard score that put the Mavericks in front 27-23. After two pick sixes, one by Nick Ciccio and another by freshman Justin White, Colorado Mesa walked away with an improved record and other road win under their belt. Following the 42-30 win, the Mavericks are now 2-2 overall and 2-1 in RMAC play.
 
PARENT'S WEEKEND
The annual Parents Weekend game will kick off this Saturday, October 5^th, at 1pm at Stocker Stadium. The game will be a tough one for the Mavericks, as they will be hosting the No. 13 Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines in a showdown for the Nyikos Cup.
 
Among the many activities available to students and their parents this weekend, will be a tailgate behind Suplizio Field at 11am. Parents can also join the Alumni Tailgate that will be located at the South end of the stadium. Following the game, parents and their students can attend the Grand Valley Wine Festival which benefits Colorado Mesa Athletics.
 
BATTLE FOR THE NYIOKOS CUP
Colorado Mesa has a 31-13 record against Colorado School of Mines and has won 17 of the last 21 home games.
 
The Nyikos cup was created by the Alumni Associations from both institutions as a way to honor Dr. Michael Nyikos. The trophy goes to the winner each year of the football contest between Colorado Mesa and Colorado School of Mines. Doctor Nyikos served as the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Colorado Mesa and as the Vice President of Student Affairs and External Relations at Colorado School of Mines. 
 
The Orediggers defeated the Mavericks in the first four Nyikos Cup games and held the trophy from 2010-2014. Colorado Mesa concluded the Orediggers winning streak in 2015 to spark a three game win streak of their own. Thus, the Mavericks held the cup for two more years, until a tough loss last season in 2018 at Colorado School of Mines. This weekend the Mavericks have the chance to reclaim the Nyikos cup.
 
HIGH POWERED OFFENSE
The matchup has always proved to be an entertaining one and this year will be no different. The contest is likely to produce a show on offense as the Mavericks and the Orediggers are ranked top two in the RMAC so far for scoring offense, red-zone offense, and rushing offense. The two teams also hold two players who are within the top three in the RMAC for rushing yards per game, in Isaac Maestas for the Mavericks and Cameron Mayberry for the Orediggers.
 
SCOUTING THE OREDIGGERS
Colorado School of Mines football team is 4-0 overall and is in first place in the RMAC. The Orediggers are the only team in the RMAC who is without a loss headed into week five of the season. The team was picked to finish second in the RMAC in the preseason coaches' poll, behind Colorado State University-Pueblo. But the Orediggers took down CSU-Pueblo 34-14 on the road, dishing out the first loss of the season for the Thunderwolves.
 
The Orediggers have also been moving up in the national polls. At the start of the season, Colorado School of Mines was at #17 in the AFCA coaches' poll top 25 rankings. The team remained ranked at #17 for three weeks until their win against CSU-Pueblo who was ranked at #9. Following the win, the Orediggers moved up three spots to #14 in the AFCA poll. Heading into this weekend's contest, Colorado School of Mines sits at #13 in the National Polls. 
 
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Colorado Mesa has a trio of players that are atop of national statistical leaders entering the showdown with Mines. Nick Ciccio is tied for the national lead in both interceptions per game (1.0) and passes defended per game (2.8). Last week, the Castle Pines, Colo. native intercepted two passes including a pick-6.
 
Freshman Justin White is tied for the national lead in blocked kicks with two while Lucas Ruiz-Diaz is tied for the NCAA lead in field goal percentage (1.000). The Montrose product hammered a career-long 51-yard field goal against the Eagles last weekend.
 
NEXT WEEK
Colorado Mesa Football will remain at home next Saturday, October 12^th, for their final night game of the season. The Mavericks will take on Fort Lewis College at 7pm at Ralph Stocker Stadium.