GRAND JUNCTION, CO – Colorado Mesa football dropped their home conference opener Saturday (Sept. 19) night, falling 31-17 to the No. 8 ranked Western Colorado Mountaineers here at Ralph Stocker Stadium. The loss drops the Mavericks to 2-2 (1-1 RMAC).
The first quarter saw CMU utilize an encroachment penalty on their opening drive to move the chains on 4
th down. Senior
Jalen Hankins then ripped off runs on 13 and 12 yards before the offense stalled, setting up junior
Kale Purvis for a 42-yard field goal to put the Mavericks up 3-0 with 10 to play in the first quarter. Western's first drive of the game was initially stopped, but a muffed punt set them up at the Colorado Mesa 20-yard line. The Mountaineers had no issues punching it in from there, scoring in just three plays. The Mavericks responded on their ensuing touch, utilizing a 16-yard completion from 5
th year Liu Aumauvae to fellow veteran, senior
Alex Turpin. Junior tight end
Colton Mills-Younger made a chunk play of his own as well, hauling in a 22-yard strike to set up the Mavericks in the redzone. 5
th year man
Ky Oday Jr. capped off the 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive with an eight-yard touchdown carry to regain the lead at 10-7.
The Mountaineers caught fire in the second quarter, finishing a 14-play, 83-yard drive to retake a lead they would not relinquish. The teams traded punts, before the Mavericks lost their second fumble of the half on a would-be 3
rd down conversion. The Mountaineers took advantage again, scoring a touchdown with 24 seconds left on the clock. Special teams hurt Colorado Mesa again, as they coughed up a fumble on the ensuing kick, letting the Mountaineers mount a 24-10 lead in to the halftime break.
Punts were the theme of the 3
rd quarter, seeing the teams boot two punts a piece, including a 60-yard bomb from Purvis. The Mountaineers had the only score of the period on a 20-yard rush. Aumavae was 3-for-5 in quarter, with 5
th year quarterback
Cole Hansen completing a six-yard toss to sophomore receiver
Bryson Brown to finish the frame.
The fourth quarter was CMU's best, boasting 112 yards of total offense, with 106 through the air. They'd also collect seven total first downs in 29 total plays. Aumavae tossed his only touchdown pass with 5:05 left in the game, converting on a fourth and goal from the five-yard line on a swing pass to junior running back
Bronco Hartson. It was his first touchdown catch of the year.
Aumavae went 18-for-34 through the air for 180 yards and a touchdown. Hansen was also efficient in the passing game, boasting a 5-for-9 performance with 53 yards. Hankins led the team in rush yards with 32, averaging 4.6 yards a touch on his seven carries. Senior linebacker
La'Markus Reed led CMU's tackling efforts with nine. Sophomore cornerback Sam Pollman hauled in the only turnover caused by the Mavericks, notching an interception. CMU outgained Western, with 312 yards to their 283.
The Parents' Weekend attendance saw one of the highest tallies in modern CMU history, bringing in 6,010 fans despite the cool temperatures. The Mavericks continue their early season gauntlet next weekend, traveling to CSU-Pueblo for a 2 p.m. game. The Thunderwolves are 4-0, having defeated Chadron St. 33-6 earlier today and are currently ranked No. 5 in the AFCA Coach's Poll.
