Back on The Road
The Colorado Mesa Football team is hitting the road this weekend for a matchup against the Eagles of Chadron State College. The game will take place Saturday, at 1pm, at Elliot Field at Don Beebee Stadium.
 
After lasts weeks loss in the Battle of The Western Slope, the Colorado Mesa football team is now 1-2 overall, and 1-1 in RMAC play. The Mavericks only win of the season was on the road in week one against South Dakota School of Mines. Colorado Mesa was then defeated by Eastern New Mexico and Western Colorado University, in their first two home games of the season.
 
By the Numbers: Mavericks vs Eagles
Upon reviewing the 2019 stats for both teams, it appears that Saturday's matchup is shaping up to be a good one. The Mavericks and the Eagles are neck and neck judging by the numbers.
 
Points Per Game
            Mavericks: 34, Eagles: 33
 
Total Yards of Offense:
            Mavericks: 1288, Eagles: 1393
 
3^rd Down Conversions
            Mavericks: 36.96%, Eagles: 44.68%
 
Sacks-Yards Lost:
            Mavericks: 9-53, Eagles: 5-38
 
Kickoff Returns:
            Mavericks: 16-369, Eagles: 12-297
 
The Mavericks
Although the Mavericks have had a slower start to the season than they are used to, members of the team have still been putting up big numbers and making big plays.
 
Offensive Leaders:
Passing: Aaron Howard (QB)- 444 yards, 1 interception, and 6 touchdowns.
Rushing: Isaac Maestas (RB)- 48 attempts, 270 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Receiving: Peter Anderson (WR)- 19 receptions, 367 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
 
In addition to leading the team in receiving yards, senior wide receiver, Anderson, was also listed as a "player to watch" in the RMAC Conference during preseason. Last year, Anderson had eight straight games with more than 100 receiving yards and broke the CMU single-season record for both receptions with 67, and receiving yards at 1,344 yards.

Defensive Leaders:
Mason Newton (DE)- 11 solo tackles, 18 assisted tackles, and 4.5 sacks.
Nick Ciccio (DB)- 17 solo tackles, 9 assisted tackles, and 2 interceptions.
Greyson Matalus (LB)- 9 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, and 1 interception.
 
Ciccio, redshirt sophomore defensive back, has had a strong start to his season. To add to his impressive statistics, he was also an RMAC Defensive player of the week after his standout performance in the Mavericks first game against South Dakota School of Mines.

Special Teams:
Punts: Isaac Maestas- 18 punts for 703 yards, and an average of 39 yards.
Field Goals: Lucas Ruiz-Diaz- 4 for 4 on field goal attempts, and a 48 yard long.
 
Ruiz-Diaz joined Ciccio as an RMAC player of the week for special teams after the teams win against South Dakota School of Mines.

The Eagles
This weekend is Homecoming for Chadron State College. Like the Mavericks, the Eagles are also 1-2 headed into this weekend's matchup. Chadron won 48-31 in their first game of the season against Black Hills State University, and then lost 21-42 against Colorado State University-Pueblo, and to Fort Lewis College 30-37.
 
Of the Eagles' 1393 total yards of offense, 411 yards have been on the ground and 982 yards were through the air. The leaders on the Chadron State College offense are quarterback Dalton Host, Tevon Wright, and running back Elijah Myles. Host has more than 970 yards in the air, has thrown for nine touchdowns, and has one interception on the season. On the receiving end of many of Host's passes this season is Wright, a junior wide receiver. He has accounted for 226 yards in the air and recorded four touchdowns. On the ground, the eagles have found success with freshman running back, Elijah Myles who rushed for 138 yards in game one, and has three touchdowns on the season.
 
Defensively, The Mavericks will need to be on watch for linebackers Travis Wilson, Tyler Lewis, as well as safety, Tyree Fryar. Wilson is currently leading the eagles defensively, with 38 tackles on the season so far. Following closely is Fryar, who has 29 tackles, and Lewis, who has 16.

Next Week
Colorado Mesa Football will Return home next week to play Colorado School of Mines for parents weekend. Kickoff is set for 1pm at Ralph Stocker Stadium, and the tailgate starts at 11am.