**The game will be broadcast on KWGN Channel 2 in the Denver area**
Colorado Mesa will head to Golden for a matchup with No. 21 Colorado School of Mines at noon from Marv Kay Stadium. Saturday will be the battle for the Nyikos Cup which the Mavericks have in their possession after last year's win in Grand Junction. Mines leads the all-time Nyikos Cup series 7-4. Colorado School of Mines is the first nationally-ranked opponent that Mavericks will have faced this season.
The Mavericks enter the contest 1-3 on the season after four games for the first time since the 2012 season where they started 0-3 and won their fourth game of the season against Black Hills State. For Maverick fans, head over to the Alumni Tailgate just outside of the stadium prior to the game. Talk with Maverick fans alike with food and drinks brought to you by the CMU Alumni Association.
WEEKLY REWIND
Colorado Mesa hosted Western Slope rival Western Colorado on Saturday evening. After falling behind 28-7, the Mavericks battled back to force overtime and eventually fell 42-34 in double overtime in rainy Stocker Stadium.
The Mavericks had their best offensive output since last season's Black Hills State game as they had 563 yards of total offense with 336 yards coming through the air and 227 yards on the ground. It was the first time since October 20, 2018 (at Black Hills State) that the Mavericks ran more than 100 plays as they ran 101 plays against Western Colorado.
On defense, Colorado Mesa allowed just 346 yards of total offense with just 145 of that coming through the air. They forced a fumble of Mountaineer running back Josh Cummings who finished the game with 128 yards on 30 carries.t
The back breakers for the Mavericks were the three turnovers in the game paired with a 100-yard kickoff return by Mountaineer Victory David in the second quarter were the ultimate factors that did the Mavericks in. adium.
THE MATCHUP
This weekend's matchup with Colorado School of Mines will be the battle for the Nyikos Cup, named after longtime faculty and supporter of both schools Dr. Michael Nyikos. Dr. Nyikos was the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Colorado Mesa and the Vice President of Student Affairs and External Relations at Colorado School of Mines.
The Orediggers lead the Nyikos Cup series 7-4 with the Mavericks winning last season's matchup in Grand Junction 26-21 on October 23. Mines entered that game ranked No. 3 nationally.
The two teams are meeting for the 46th time in the two programs' history. The Mavericks lead the all-time series 31-14 although the past ten years have been more competitive. As Mines noted in their preview, either Colorado Mesa or Colorado School of Mines has won at least a share of the RMAC title every year since 2014.
As we bookend the all-time series, Colorado Mesa won the last meeting while Mines won the first meeting in 1975 21-7 in Grand Junction.
Last Five Matchups
Oct. 23, 2021: in Grand Jct., W 26-21
Oct. 5, 2019: in Grand Jct., L 56-20
Sept. 29, 2018: in Golden, L 72-31
Sept. 16, 2017: in Grand Jct., W 38-36
Sept. 17, 2016: in Golden, W 41-40 2OT
KNOW YOUR FOE
The Orediggers enter the weekend as the best 3-2 team in the country as they are ranked No. 21 and are the lone two loss team in the national rankings. Their two losses on the year have come at the hands of current No. 2 Grand Valley State 25-22 in Allendale, Mich. as the Lakers scored a touchdown with 56 seconds left in the game. The other loss came to Super Region IV foe Angelo State 30-27 in overtime in Golden.
Colorado School of Mines has one of the more dynamic offenses nationally as they enter as the No. 3 team in NCAA in scoring offense (44.6ppg) and No. 9 in total offense (464.6ypg). Everything runs through quarterback John Matocha as he has 13 touchdowns against one interception and completes over 71 percent of his passes.
Defensively, the Orediggers are extremely sound as they own the second best socring defense (18.2ppg) and are first in total defense (296ypg) this season. Jaden Williams leads the team in tackles with 31 and also has two interceptions while Mason Pierce has 22 tackles and three interceptions. Jaden Healy and Cameron Reller each have three sacks on the year.
CAREER NIGHT
Quarterback Karst Hunter enjoyed one of the best nights of his young career as the Mavericks signal caller. For his performance, he was named the National Football Foundation Colorado Chapter player of the week. Hunter was 30-of-53 for 336 yards passing in the game. All of those numbers were career highs. He distributed the ball to nine different receivers in the game with Noah Sarria, Jullen Ison and Dagan Rienks each catching five passes.
Not only was he proficient throuh the air, but also a force on the ground. The Miller, S.D. native rushed for a career-high 111 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and scored his touchdown on a 1-yard option play on the goalline.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
The Mavericks game tying drive late in the fourth quarter came on a 16-play, 89-yard drive that chewed up the final 3:47 of the clock. The drive was the first drive of 15 or more plays that resulted in a score since November 2, 2019 when the Mavericks used a 17-play drive to score a touchdown against Utah Tech (then Dixie State).
Karst Hunter's 336 passing and 111 rushing was the first time a player rushed for 100 yards and threw for 200 yards since November 3, 2018 when Eystin Salum threw for 275 yards and rushed for 130 yards against Adams State.
Hunter had another long time stat as he completed 30 passes for the first time since November 19, 2016 when Sean Rubalcaba did so against Texas A&M-Commerce in the NCAA Playoffs.
STAYING CONSISTENT
Safety Liban Shongolo is the lone safety that has started every game this season. The other safety position has had a different person step in to start every game this season.
Shongolo had his best statistical defensive day as he finished with 10 tackles with one going for a loss against Western Colorado. He ranks second on the team in total tackles with 26 and added in two break-ups and a fumble recovery. He has eclipsed season-highs in all categories as he now has 40 total tackles and five pass break-ups.
ON THE HORIZON
The Mavericks will return home for their second and final home night game of the year as they host Fort Lewis College on Saturday evening at 6pm at Stocker Stadium. Fort Lewis is looking for their first win of the season and are taking on the Chadron State Eagles this weekend in Durango.
Colorado Mesa's next road game will also be in-state as they travel to Alamosa for a bout with the Adams State Grizzlies at Rex Stadium at 6pm. Adams State comes into the weekend 1-4 on the season with their lone win coming against Fort Lewis and they will take on CSU Pueblo at home on Saturday.
