WEEKLY REWIND
Colorado Mesa got back into the win column last weekend as they defeated the winless Fort Lewis Skyhawks 62-14 in Durango. The Mavericks improved to 3-4 on the season and 2-3 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The loss sent Fort Lewis to their 35 straight loss which dates back to the 2019 season.
The Mavericks scored 55 points in the first half which is the most since October 27, 2018 when they accomplished the feat against New Mexico Highlands. It is one of the highest first half point totals all-time for the Mavericks as it the highest from the stats that are currently available.
Two big numbers that have been scrutinized this season have been the rushing attack and third down conversions. The Mavericks rushed for a season-high 273 yards rushing with 79 coming from Myles Newble and 77 coming from Marvin Jones. They also finished the game 6-for-11 on third down meaning they converted on the down 55 percent of the time.
The Mavericks were able to do a good job stopping the run on Saturday as they limited the Skyhawks to just 21 yards on the ground and gave up a near season-low total yards at 319 with just the 288 from Texas A&M-Kingsville being lower.
THE MATCHUP
The Mavericks and Grizzlies will meet up for the 48th time in the two program's history on Saturday Stocker Stadium. Colorado Mesa leads the all-time series 29-18 and own a 17-4 mark all-time at home in Grand Junction. The Mavericks have won seven of the past eight matchups in the series
The Grizzlies won last year's matchup in Alamosa as they defeated the Mavericks 45-31 as penalties, turnovers and special teams plagued Colorado Mesa. Adams State scored on a pick-6, a kickoff return for a touchdown and the Mavericks racked up 14 penalties for 168 yards.
Prior to last year's loss to the Grizzlies, the Mavericks had won the previous seven straight against Adams State. A handful of those results came by large margins but the most memorable one in the streak came on November 3, 2018 in Grand Junction. Over 120 points were scored in the game with Colorado Mesa having to score 19 fourth quarter points to force overtime. It was a two-point conversion stop in overtime that gave Colorado Mesa a 64-63 overtime win over the Grizzlies.
Last Five Matchups with Adams St.
Oct. 22, 2022: L, 45-31 in Alamosa
Oct. 9, 2021: W, 49-14 in Grand Jct.
Nov. 9, 2019: W, 35-13 in Alamosa
Nov. 3, 2018: W, 64-63 OT in Grand Jct.
Oct. 21, 2017: W, 70-21 in Alamosa
KNOW YOUR FOE
Adams State has had plenty of peaks and valleys in their schedule and their play this season as they are 3-4 heading into this week's matchup with the Mavericks. They opened the season with a 35-16 win over Lincoln (Calif.) and followed with back-to-back losses to West Texas A&M and Colorado School of Mines. Coming off the losses they picked up a one-point win over Fort Lewis and followed with a seven-point win over Highlands. Now, they have lost their last two including last week's 53-14 loss at home to Chadron State.
Head coach Jarrell Harrison is in his third season with the Grizzlies and has the program headed in the right direction. Harrison was a running backs and special teams coach under previous head coach Timm Rosenbach. Harrison played collegiately at City College of San Francisco and then later at Missouri where they won the Big12 title and finished sixth in the BCS standings. He was an honorable mention all-Big12 selection.
Grad student Markell Grayson will be calling the signals for the Grizzlies after missing a majority of the middle part of the season with an apparent injury. He had 135 yards passing last week against Chadron State and has a solid track record against the Mavericks from the previous season.
Senior Daniel Mendoza is one of the top defensive players in the RMAC. The senior safety from California has 72 total tackles on the season and a team-high seven pass break-ups. He has four games with 10 or more tackles including a season-high 14 last week against Chadron State. He also had 14 tackles against West Texas A&M and Colorado School of Mines.
GROUND GAME IS GOING
Colorado Mesa got the running game going against Fort Lewis and will look to build off of it this weekend against Adams State. The Grizzlies have been allowing 212 yards on the ground per game this season and the Mavericks are coming off a game where they rushed for 273 yards and six scores, all by different rushers.
The charge was led primarily by Myles Newble and Marvin Jones who have been splitting a bulk of the carries in the backfield for the past two weeks. Newble had 79 yards on five carries while Jones had 77 yards on seven carries. Both found paydirt on long runs in the first half.
The Mavericks got back a familiar face in the backfield as Keyshawn Ashford played in his first game this season. The senior had two carries for 33 yards and a touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS BREAKOUT
The Mavericks special teams had a banner day on Saturday against Fort Lewis as they returned a kick for a touchdown, partially blocked a punt and were 7-of-8 on PATs during the win.
The kickoff return for a touchdown came off a botched on-side kick by the Skyhawks after they scored their first touchdown of the game in the second quarter. Maverick freshman Charlie Smith scooped up the ball and returned 44 yards for a touchdown. Smith joins his defensive teammate as both have returned kicks for touchdowns this season.
Smith also got in on the blocked punt with about two minutes to go in the first half. Smith got a hand on a Skyhawk punt that wound up making it just 20 yards to the Fort Lewis 35 yard line that led to a Keyshawn Ashford touchdown.
MAVS ON THE TUBE
It was recently announced that the final four home games will be broadcast on KREX/KGJT in Grand Junction. It will be on channels 5.1 and 27.1 via antenna and channel 16 for Spectrum users. Ethan Jordan will provide play-by-play with Paxton Ritchey providing the color commentary.
While those games will be broadcast on TV, fans may still also watch the game on the RMAC Network by visiting CMUMavericks.com/TV
ON THE HORIZON
Colorado Mesa will be back on the road in next week as they will travel to Pueblo for a showdown with CSU Pueblo on October 28. A quick tidbit for that matchup and something that we will dive into that week is the ThunderWolves are coached by former Maverick quarterback Phil Vigil.
The Mavericks will be back at home for the final time this season when they host Chadron State on Saturday November 4 at 1:05pm. Colorado Mesa will honor their seniors prior to the game.
