ALAMOSA, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Mavericks picked up their fourth win of the season, defeating the Adams State Grizzlies 59-12 here at Rex Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 24).
The win over the Grizzlies marks the fourth straight victory in the series and also sees CMU hold a 9-1 advantage over the last 10 matchups. The game saw the Mavericks explode offensively, scoring the most points in a single game since their 62-14 rout of Fort Lewis on Oct. 14, 2023. CMU now sits at 4-4 (3-3 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) and drops the Grizzlies to 0-7 (0-4 RMAC).
The Mavericks wasted no time to start the game, utilizing a 27-yard
Atiba Fitz return to set up the offense in Grizzly territory. On their second play from scrimmage, 5th year quarterback
Cole Hansen found junior tight end
Logan Ryan for a 16-yard completion on a corner route to move the chains and set the Mavs up just outside the red zone. Senior wide receiver
Noah Greer then had a chunk play to keep the Mavericks moving, taking a touch pass for 10 yards. After just 2:49 had ticked off the clock, a lightning delay reared its ugly head, sending both teams back to the lockers for just under an hour. The break was no problem for Hansen, however, as he took the first play back 13 yards to the end zone. The stout Maverick defense did its job on their opening drive, forcing a 3-and-out allowing just four Grizzly yards, highlighted by a junior defensive lineman
Jon Dowell tackle for loss, the first of his career. Hansen continued his superhuman first quarter, highlighted by a 30-yard carry where he was ruled out of bounds inside the one. Hansen finished his day going 10-for-17 with 122 yards through the skies, along with four carries for 64 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Junior running back
Bronco Hartson finished the job, churning his legs on an inside run that put the Mavericks on top 14-0 following the point after try.
The second quarter began with the lone hiccup of the day for CMU, losing a fumble just 90 seconds into the period. The defense stood their ground for the third time in as many chances, forcing yet another Adams State punt. CMU's offensive firepower slowed but gave a chance for junior kicker
Kale Purvis to show off the boot. On a 4th-and-8 from the 35-yard line, Purvis split the uprights on a 52-yard field goal, the second longest of his collegiate career. CMU's defense continued its showcase, forcing their second 3-and-out of the first half. CMU kept their offensive pressure up, including consecutive plays of 11, 13 and 24 yards. Hartson punched it in from the 1-yard line, to earn his second touchdown of the game, extending the lead to 24-0 in favor of CMU. Hartson called it a day with 12 carries for 64 yards in his power back role. The Mavericks took that lead into the half, including 305 total yards in the first half. The defense was none too shabby either, allowing just four first downs.
After the extended halftime for the Grizzly Hall of Fame ceremony, Adams State found a short-lived offensive rhythm. CMU's defense stuck the Grizzlies to a 4th-and-6 at the Colorado Mesa 25-yard line, but Adams State was able to find an open man just short of the goal line to earn their first score of the day. They then failed the two-point conversion to keep the Maverick lead at 18, 24-6. Following the score, the Maverick run game heated up, along with a defensive penalty on the Grizzlies for CMU to complete a six-play, 74-yard touchdown drive. Sophomore running back
Amari Brown handled the bulk of the workload, having just two carries, but gaining 43 yards in that duo of totes. Despite the touchdown, the Maverick defense righted the ship forcing an Adams State punt. With the 25-point lead, Colorado Mesa sent in some fresh faces to get their reps, and they did more than their job.
Junior running back
Jaden Thermidor had the longest carry of his career on the drive, toting the rock 30 yards on what was his fifth carry of the season. 5th year quarterback
Liu Aumavae also entered the game, connecting with Ryan for 40 yards and a touchdown, which would be his only completion of the game. Thermidor liked his taste of action, making a house call on the next Maverick offensive drive, going 46 yards to the end zone to cap off a three-play, 58-yard drive. CMU took a 45-6 lead into the final quarter.
The start of the fourth was as kind to the Grizzlies as their start to the third, completing a 5-play, 71-yard drive to score their final touchdown of the game, including yet another unsuccessful two-point attempt. CMU continued to pile on, with senior quarterback
Dayton Tafoya connecting with Thermidor 11 yards through the air for the seventh CMU touchdown of the day. Out of the two-minute timeout, Thermidor wanted yet another feature on the stat sheet, sporting an eight-yard touchdown carry to cap off the final score of the game.
Thermidor had the game of his life, with seven carries for 134 yards, along with a single reception for 11 yards and a touchdown. Ryan earned his career high in both receptions and yards, making three grabs for 65 yards.
As a team, CMU gained 655 yards, their most since Oct. 15, 2022, when they gained 601 yards against Fort Lewis. It was also their best ground game in almost a decade, with 482 yards rushing, their first time gaining over 400 rush yards since Oct. 21, 2017, when they gobbled up 471 rushing yards, also against Adams State. The Mavericks were incredibly efficient offensively, scoring on nine of their 12 drives. Their only times empty handed were the fumble, and when both the half and game ended. The defense was more evenly spread than other games this season, with 25 different players recording a tackle. Junior linebacker
George Soppe and sophomore safety
AJ Adams tied for the lead in tackles with five apiece.
CMU will return home this Saturday, October 31 for a Halloween matinee against the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys. The Cowboys currently sit at 3-5 (1-5 RMAC), having fallen to Chadron State today. Kickoff from Stocker Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
