GOLDEN, Colo. – Bolstered by a Brandon Belgrave three-touchdown performance and avoiding some last-minute chaos in the final two plays, the Colorado Mesa University Football Team saw themselves hold onto the Nyikos Cup for the second straight year this afternoon as they defeated the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 28-24 at Marv Kay Stadium
After winning back the Nyikos Cup in last year's 14-13 win, the Mavericks retain their ownership this year as they also found their first conference victory. The Mavs now sit at 2-4 (1-2 RMAC) while Mines moves to 3-2 (1-2 RMAC) and suffers their second straight loss.
Getting his first start of the season was quarterback Cole Hansen, with Redshirt Junior finishing the game throwing for 87 yards with one touchdown and an interception while also adding 54 yards on the ground rushing.
Finishing with nearly 400 yards rushing as team, something the Mines' defense hadn't allowed all season, the duo of Brandon Belgrave and Aiden Taylor rushed for a combined 324 yards in the game with Belgrave being the catalyst for the Maverick offense finishing with 213 yards. He also added 13 reception yards on one catch for the eventual goal-ahead touchdown. Taylor also broke the century mark in the game with 111 rushing yards.
Jake Sinz led the defense with 13 tackles while four others had five or more tackles apiece. The duo of Braylon Sugg and Brody Robinson combined for one sack with .5 each.
Opening the game through the first eight minutes, the Mavs were able to successfully score to start the contest with them being led by Belgrave who totaled 48 yards rushing in that drive. The Mavs reached the red zone in their attempt but would settle for a 19-yard field goal to begin ahead.
Mines quickly responded with a touchdown of their own on the ensuing drive, capped off by a 39-yard touchdown pass to Aksel Richard.
Finishing the first quarter tied 7-7, the Orediggers continued their attack into the second quarter with them scoring again after a 69-yard drive downfield. The eventual touchdown came on a 31-yard pass to Nick Stone.
The following two drives resulted in punts after stellar defensive play from both teams.
Looking to bring the Mavs back within one score, Taylor stepped up this time as the Senior led the team rushing for 46 yards the next drive, including a break away 36-yard rush. Belgrave finished the drive rushing for 15 more yards to bring in the first touchdown and move the game to just a four-point difference.
The Mavs defense continued the energy to follow forcing another punt from the Orediggers with the big play being a 16-yard rushing loss and a fumble which Mines narrowly recovered.
Playing to their two-minute drill, the Mavs were able to drive downfield in the final minutes of the half with Hansen leading in big part on a 35-yard keeper. Trek Keyworth also played a big part hauling in a 20-yard pass to bring it down to the Mines' 10-yard line.
Having less than 30 second left in the half, Mines played solid defense to finish the half as the Mavs settled for another field goal from 25 yards to bring the game to 14-13.
Looking at defensive-themed third quarter, only one score was managed in those 14 minutes with Mines tacking on another touchdown to make it 21-13.
Colorado Mesa got the ball again to end the quarter with this drive moving into the fourth to follow as they made their best push of the day. Belgrave rushed for 52 yards in that drive while scoring the eventual touchdown.
Following Belgrave's touchdown, the Mavs also went for two to even the game up at 21 a piece with Belgrave scoring those two points as well.
An interception by the Mines' defense halted the Mavs offense two drives later with the Orediggers coming back to take the lead on a field goal to lead 24-21.
Making their final push, the Mavs used their game-winning drive in the final two minutes to score once again as they drove 75 yards downfield. Hansen completed four passes that drive for 54 yards with the eventual dagger being the fourth down pass to Belgrave who scrambled down the sideline and into the corner of the endzone.
Only 11 seconds remained in the game after the score with Mines completing two quick passes following the kickoff before chaos ensued in the final two plays.
In the first of those two plays, the Orediggers passed downfield to start before a series of lateral passes led to them continuing the play. In the chaos of the lateral passes Colorado Mesa believed that they tackled down one of the Mines' players to end the game and in doing so many players charged the field. Due to the players charging the field before the play was called officially dead, Mines was given another play to follow with two more seconds and from the original spot of the ball.
Despite getting another chance the Orediggers were unsuccessful in this opportunity too as Hunter Hamilton took down the Mines quarterback to secure the win.
The Mavs will return home this next weekend when they take on Adams State University on Oct. 11 for a 6 P.M. start. Tickets and information can be found online at cmumavericks.com/tickets
