LOOKING FORWARD
Colorado Mesa will kick off against Eastern New Mexico University at 7pm, this Saturday at Ralph Stocker Stadium. The Mavs are looking to keep the momentum rolling at their home opener, after a close 37-33 win on the road against South Dakota School of Mines.

This will be the third time that the Mavericks have faced off against the Greyhounds. The first time the teams played one another was in 1983, and the second time was last season in 2018. Colorado Mesa claimed the win both times. However, the Lone Star Conference opponent is also looking to advance to 2-0 this weekend, after winning their first game 35-28 against Missouri S&T last Saturday.

The Mavericks received 12 votes in this week's AFCA National poll.

QUICK LOOK BACK
The Mavericks secured their first win last Saturday against the Hardrockers of South Dakota Mines. Colorado Mesa had a slow start in their first game, ending the first quarter with a two-score deficit at 3-13. But the Mavericks soon found their rhythm and were off and running after scoring two touch downs and two field goals in the second quarter alone. After two more touchdowns in the third and fourth quarter, and a game saving interception by Greyson Matalus, the Mavericks walked away 1-0.

THE GREYHOUNDS
Eastern New Mexico comes from the Lone Star Conference. The team has been led by head coach Kelley Lee, for three years. Last year, the Greyhounds rounded out their season with a 5-6 overall record and finished 4-4 in their conference play. At the conclusion of the season, the team was nationally ranked for total rushing yards and in total defense.

Eastern New Mexico displayed a strong run game in their first match up. After accumulating 472 yards on the ground, the Greyhounds set the record for highest rushing total for week 1 among Division II football. Leading the charge was senior quarterback Wyatt Strand. Eastern New Mexico had eight different players with recorded carries, two of which rushed for 100 plus yards. Paul Terry, a senior running back, had 189-yard rushing and three touchdowns. Johnny Smith, also a senior running back, recorded 103 rushing yards and one touchdown. The team's success on the ground also helped them to convert 13-of-17 third down attempts, allowing them to top the nation in third down conversions, converting at over 76 percent.
 
The Greyhounds comes with a dynamic defense as well. At the helm of the Greyhounds defense is junior, Noah Sweitzer. Last season Sweitzer had 90 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Joining Sweitzer as players to watch on the greyhound's defense are juniors Lamonte Huval and Vicen'te Walker. Huval had seven stops and five solo tackles in week 1, and Walker had seven tackles and a critical fourth quarter interception.

Last week's victory over Missouri S&T, resulted in the Greyhounds receiving one vote in the AFCA Division II National Polls going into week two of play.

MOVING THE BALL
Colorado Mesa showed off their depth at the quarterback position, allowing three QBs to play throughout the game. Senior Rope Ruel started the game for the Mavericks, and then Hayden Bollinger, a redshirt sophomore, made his collegiate debut taking over in the second and third quarter, and Aaron Howard, also a redshirt sophomore, took to the field in the fourth. The offense also showed off the skills of sophomore running back, Isaac Maestas, and wide receivers KJ Sapp and Peter Anderson. To end the day, the Mavericks had 525 yards on offense.

Anderson finished with 193 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns including an 82-yarder from Bollinger, a career-long.
 
POWERHOUSE DEFENSE
On the other side of the ball the Mavericks saw big plays by Matalus and Mason Newton who both had had 10 tackles, and Nick Ciccio who had six tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, four pass breakups and two interceptions. The Maverick defense caused four turnovers and held the Hardrockers to less than 417 yards.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Redshirt sophomore Nick Ciccio was named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week after his play against South Dakota Mines. Ciccio filled the stat sheet with six tackles, four pass break-ups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the win over the Hardrockers. His six passes defended led all of Division II in week one and he  is tied with six others for the interception lead with two.

Ciccio had some company as a player of the week as fellow sophomore Lucas Ruiz-Diaz was named the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The Montrose, Colo. product was a perfect 3-for-3 on his field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on PATs. He hit a career-long 48-yard field goal as the first half time expired.

NEXT WEEK
Colorado Mesa will remain at home and will take on their rivals from Gunnison at 7pm at Stocker Stadium. Saturday will be a BLACKout sponsored by The Maverick Store where fans are encouraged to wear black to the game.