GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Fans will notice a bigger, stronger quarterback this season for the Colorado Mesa football team.

Liu Aumavae has claimed the QB1 title for Thursday's season opener at Central Washington in a competitive camp with fellow redshirt junior Cole Hansen after packing on about 20 pounds of muscle since last fall.

"Understanding that playing at borderline 190 pounds was not going to work, so this offseason I spent a lot of time with Coach Scum (football strength coach Dan Linsacum), just working on getting bigger, stronger, faster, just to be able to be healthier throughout the season, be more dynamic and even push the ball a little farther," Aumavae said of his new physique.

He's still long — 6-foot-3 — but he's no longer a slender 190 pounds, now listed at 205, although he's a shade heavier than that. That growth and a year of college football experience has Aumavae confident in leading the Mavericks' offense.

Yes, the Mavs will be looking to establish the running game and play power football, but it's not like Aumavae won't take advantage of his arm and some speedy receivers. He threw for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, with a game high of 232 yards against CSU Pueblo. He completed two touchdown passes in five consecutive games, all victories, including two fourth-quarter TDs in the win over Colorado School of Mines.

CMU head coach Miles Kochevar and the entire offensive staff watched the quarterback competition intently during fall camp and ultimately decided to go with Aumavae, with Hansen in ready status. He expects both to get playing time this season.

"The growth that Cole Hansen had from the spring to the fall, he's been with us a year and a half and he's just improved. He's driven to be able to go and contribute and help us win games," Kochevar said. "There's definitely some things he brings to the table and can change the game, so I think we have complete confidence to be able to put Cole in if we need a spark, if something isn't going right, if Liu gets dinged up, but we're going to do whatever it takes to win and those guys understand that.

"They're going to be ready and they're both going to prepare like they're starters, and that's what you need in that room. You've got to have three guys ready all the time because you're one hit away from getting in the game."

Like all the players, the coaches had areas of offseason emphasis for Aumavae, who started eight games last season and played in all seven victories. Getting bigger was at the top of the list, along with mastering the playbook and focusing on his leadership skills. And one more — becoming a threat with his feet.

"Just more comfortable running the ball," Kochevar said. "He's put on 20 pounds to where last year he was just under 190 and now he's above 210 and just feels better in his body and physically stronger. Being able to watch him now when the pocket does collapse and you do just have to take a sack or take a hit, he can stand in there and he's built himself up and been able to do that throughout fall camp, and then to just pull the trigger, right? He knows it, he knows where he's got to go with the ball and be able to make decisions and be decisive about it. That's been fun watching him that way."

Film study and plenty of route-running with his new receiving corps developed Aumavae's understanding of the offense. He's more confident with his reads and the timing on passing plays, and knowing when he needs to tuck the ball and run if receivers are covered or the pocket collapses instead of forcing a throw or taking a sack.

After being on the sideline for two seasons at San Diego State, Aumavae said last fall was a learning experience.

"It was the first time playing college football, getting a full season under my belt, just finding out things and being able to play the game again," he said.

It was learning on the fly for a lot of the Mavericks last season, who have improved their depth across the board as they head into Kochevar's fourth season as head coach.

"Overall as a team we needed to get to that point," Kochevar said. "When we got banged up and hurt last year, you could really see the difference between our depth and where it was at. We've really, I believe, closed that gap."

As a unit, the wide receivers are relatively untested, but the pass-catchers put in hours working out with the quarterbacks to develop chemistry and timing on routes.

"Once we found out a few of the receivers were leaving, me and Trek (Keyworth, the Mavs' leading returning receiver with 10 catches, 165 yards and 2 TDs last season) knew we were going to have to step up and it was going to be our time this year to really show up and prove what we know the receivers can do, catch the ball and get touchdowns," said Noah Greer, who caught six passes last season for 24 yards and rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown. He also broke a kickoff return for an electrifying 88-yard TD.

The receivers will be counted upon to block for the backs, and Greer said they've accepted that role, knowing it will set them up for success.

"Along with the blocks, we have passes out of our RPOs (run-pass option) as well. Once we get down and get our blocks, (Brandon) Belgrave and Aiden (Taylor) can make it happen. They can get downhill and really make plays happen," said Greer, a redshirt sophomore.

"Last year I was more of a gadget speed guy, and it was fun. I'm hoping to step into this role (as the starting Z receiver) and get everything I can out of this year, every pass, kick return, punt return, everything I can get for the team."

Redshirt sophomore Alex Turpin and sophomore Colton Mills-Younger are listed atop the depth chart at the other receiver slots.

The first order of business is to establish the running game, but balance that with the pass.

"We know in order to play championship football, we're going to have to be able to run the ball," Kochevar said. "Now, how do we go about game to game? It's going to dictate on what the defenses are trying to stop and we've got to be able to take advantage and set ourselves up to be successful in the pass game as well. There's going to be games where the pass game is going to have to be the priority and complement the run game, so it'll be back and forth. I think we're more well-rounded and we'll be able to accomplish that more frequently."

Defensively, Kochevar is relying on the line to lead the way, but likes how the linebackers and defensive backs came along quickly during spring ball and fall camp.

George Soppe, who was an outside linebacker last season, will move inside, but the Mavs will use him in a variety of spots to take advantage of his athleticism. Jake Sinz, a sophomore transfer from San Diego State, will line up next to Soppe inside, with redshirt sophomores Payton Wainwright and Noah Williams at outside backer.

Gibson Leafgreen and freshman AJ Adams are at safety, with senior Lane Branstetter and redshirt freshmen Kendrick Jones expected to play cornerback opposite of senior Kash Bradley, the lone returning starter in the secondary. Leafgreen is a junior who the Mavs are counting on to help the younger DBs. Five freshmen have made the travel squad for the season opener, four on the defensive side of the ball.

"We lost a lot back there and (Leafgreen has) done a good job with that, he's brought some energy," Kochevar said. "There's going to be some young guys who get some action, so he's going to have to keep his composure back there and I'm excited to watch him go to work."

Sullivan Moon, who averaged 41.2 yards a punt, converted two of six field goals and averaged 61.8 yards per kickoff, with 18 touchbacks last season, returns to handle the kicking duties.

At the RMAC Media Day, Kochevar said it's time for the Mavericks to "own" the conference. It's nothing the team hasn't talked about for the past couple of years, but in order to rise to the top of the conference, Kochevar knows not only does the ball have to bounce the Mavs' way, but they cannot beat themselves with turnovers and penalties. CMU averaged nearly 65 yards per game in penalties last season, threw 11 interceptions and lost seven of 15 fumbles.

"We've got a good conference, the RMAC is at the top of Division II right now, but that's the belief that we go into every day with. We're not here just to go and compete, we're here to win championships," Kochevar said as the Mavs wrapped up fall camp and turned their attention to game week.

"As we look at this roster and where we're at, yeah, a lot of things have got to go our way, but we can't beat ourselves, we've got to give ourselves a fair shot every game. That's just playing fundamental football, being penalty-free and win some of those key matchups throughout the year and we'll be in position to at least have an opportunity to win at the end."