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GUNNISON, Colo. - On Saturday in Gunnison, Colorado, Western State Colorado University football will play Western New Mexico University for the 39th time. The Mountaineers and Mustangs will square off at 1 p.m. in Mountaineer Bowl.
Western (3-4, 2-3 RMAC) has won 21 of the 39 meetings between the two schools. However, WNMU (2-5, 1-4 RMAC) has won the past four straight.
Last week, the Mountaineers made a stunning fourth quarter comeback against New Mexico Highlands University on the road. Western scored 27 fourth quarter points, but with an NMHU field goal as time expired, the Cowboys won 46-43.
The Mustangs were also involved in a close outcome during the previous week. WNMU faced Colorado Mesa University and were ahead by four points with 3:46 remaining. CMU completed a comeback against WNMU by blocking a punt, returning it for a touchdown and taking an interception on the Mustangs' next possession into the end zone. CMU won the game 45-35.
Last season, the Mountaineers and Mustangs engaged in an offensive shootout in Silver City, New Mexico. After Western took a 34-28 lead off
Brett Arrivey's four touchdown throws, WNMU made a fourth quarter comeback to win, 42-34.
Fans in Gunnison can listen to the action live on KEJJ 98.3 FM. Steve Williams and Gene Hill will be calling the action live from Mountaineer Bowl.
Game 8 Notes:Start of Something Good...The Mountaineers began the season 2-2 for the first time since 2008.
Western has already surpassed last season's win total of two 2013.
The last time Western had three wins in a season was 2009.
If Western defeats WNMU it will be the first time the Mountaineers reach four wins in a season since 2003.
Red Hot...The Mountaineer offense in the red zone has been nearly unstoppable this season.
In 21 red zone attempts this season, Western has scored 20 times (11 TDs, 9 FGs), and lead the NCAA Division II in red zone scoring percentage at .952.
RMAC Academic Player of the Year...Austin Ekeler, a sophomore running back, maintains a 3.49 grade-point average as a business administration major. While Ekeler has been excelling in the classroom, his performance on the football field has been nothing short of stellar in 2014. Currently, Ekeler ranks first in the RMAC in total rushing yards, average rushing yards per game, touchdowns, longest run, total all-purpose yards, and average all-purpose yards per game. At the national level, Ekeler ranks seventh in Division II for average rushing yards per game, fifth for total rushing yards, and seventh for average all-purpose yards per game.
Last season, Ekeler was selected to the 2013 Don Hansen All-Super Region IV Offensive First Team and was named the 2013 Don Hansen All-Super Region IV Freshman of the Year. Prior to those honors, Ekeler was named a 2013 RMAC Offensive First Team selection and was named the 2013 RMAC Offensive Freshman of the Year.
Joining Ekeler on the 2014 RMAC All-Academic First Team was defensive back
Cole Waliczek (Sr. Thornton, Colorado). Waliczek, a double major in sport and exercise science and psychology, maintains a 3.54 GPA. Currently, Waliczek is second on the team in total tackles with 59 and leads the team in solo tackles with 41. Waliczek ranks sixth in the RMAC for solo tackles and 12th for total tackles.
Waliczek was garnered RMAC All-Academic First Team honors in 2012 and was selected to the RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll in 2013.
A total of 18 other Mountaineers were named to the 2014 RMAC All-Academic Honor Roll.
Pos. Name Yr. Hometown GPA Major
QB
Jacob Engle R-So. Eagle, Colo. 3.80 Ex. & Sport Science
RB
Vince Grasso R-Fr. Grand Junction, Colo. 3.92 Chemistry
RB
Noah Sanchez R-Fr. Grand Junction, Colo. 3.70 Sociology
WR
Eddie Schroder So. Westminster, Colo. 3.32 Ex. & Sport Science/Business Admin.
WR
Zach Griggs R-Fr. Grand Junction, Colo. 3.50 Not Declared
WR
Reeve Sanders Jr. Edwards, Colo. 3.79 Biology/Ex. & Sport Science
WR
Josh Weller R-Fr. Grand Junction, Colo. 3.33 Not Declared
DL
Colton Emich Sr. Arvada, Colo. 3.37 Business Administration
DL
Christopher Kwek R-Fr. Houston, Texas 3.71 Mathematics
DL
Jared Martin R-Fr. Byers, Colo. 3.53 Business Administration
DL
Dylan Nicholson So. Sterling, Colo. 3.53 Exercise & Sport Science
DL
Austin Yurko So. Thornton, Colo. 3.50 Exercise & Sport Science
LB
Devon Suits So. Aurora, Colo. 3.47 Business Administration
LB
Lief Swanbom So. Fort Collins, Colo. 3.50 Geology
DB
Jade Gale Jr. Colorado Springs, Colo. 3.48 Environmental Studies
DB
Jacob Weiss Jr. Salida, Colo. 3.51 Business Admin./Economics
DB
Chase Yaeger Sr. Monument, Colo. 3.31 Geology
K
Spencer Fair So. Fruita, Colo. 3.35 Biology
Passing History...In just his second season as Western's play caller, quarterback
Brett Arrivey is moving up Western's career passing records.
Arrivey is a mere 15 completions away from surpassing Jason Davis as Western's all-time leader in passing completions. Arrivey is currently in second with 403, while Davis sits in first with 418.
Arrivey currently sits in fourth place all-time in career passing attempts at Western with 674. He needs 35 more attempts to pull even with Nate Baca who attempted 709 passes from 2001-04 and 39 more to pull even with Dan Brethauer who attempted 713 passes from 2005-06
Tackling to the Top...Linebacker
Jaden Terry moved into the Western career record books after the week four matchup against Adams State University, and continues to move up the list.
Terry is currently ninth in career tackles with 311. To move into eighth place, Terry will need 14 more tackles to pass Steve Gaber's 324 tackles from 1983-85.
Break On Through...In just his sophomore season, running back
Austin Ekeler rushed into the Western record book. Ekeler has compiled 2,111 yards rushing in his first two years at Western, which ranks eight all-time.
Ekeler sits 109 yards away from surpassing Cory Davis in seventh place. Davis rushed for 2,219 yards from 1989-92.
On the season, Ekeler has ran for 1,052 yards, which ranks 10th all-time in a single season. Ekeler needs 27 yards to move into ninth place, 60 yards to move into eighth, 74 yards to move into seventh, 76 yards to move into sixth, and 87 yards to move into fifth place.
Kicking Down Records...Kicker
Ryan Winke made five field goals against New Mexico Highlands University, giving him 15 field goals in 2014. This placed him in a tie for second most all-time in a season at Western.
Travis Snyder holds the Western record with 21 field goals made in 2003.
Chasing History...Defensive back
Gerald Coleman has five career interceptions as a Mountaineer. Colman needs just one more to tie for 10th all-time in Western history with four others who have accomplished the feat.
National Leaders...Below are Western players and where they rank at the Division II level after the seventh week of play:
Kalvin Winter - 3 fumble recoveries - T-4th
Austin Ekeler - 150.3 rushing yards per game - 7th
Austin Ekeler - 1,052 total rushing yards - 5th
Austin Ekeler - 192.14 all-purpose yards per game - 7th
Gerald Coleman - 4 interceptions - T-16th
Gerald Coleman - 1.4 passes defended per game - T-24th
Cole Waliczek - 5.9 solo tackles per game - T-22nd
Thomas Chavira - 5.0 sacks - T-37th
Ryan Winke - 2.14 field goals per game - T-1st
Ryan Winke - .882 field goal percentage - 12th
Dakota Swinehart - 42.0 average yards per punt - 15th
Offensive Output...Western's 39 points against Adams State in week four were the most points Western had scored in regulation since a 53-24 victory over Western New Mexico in 2008.
Western scored 43 points in week seven in a 43-46 loss to New Mexico Highlands University.
Last year, the Mountaineers scored 48 total points against Black Hills State University in three overtimes. Western scored 28 points in regulation.
Week 6 Honors...Kicker
Ryan Winke was named the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week after his performance against Black Hills State. Winke hit two field goals in Western's 34-13 Hall of Fame Game win. Winke made his first field goal from 25 yards out and the second from 30 yards away. Winke accounted for a total of nine points against the Yellow Jackets.
Prelude to Something Larger...Western State began the season with a 1-1 record for the first time since 1998. The Mountaineers went onto win their second straight RMAC Championship under Head Coach Duke Iverson.
For the first time since 1997, Western won the season opener. The 1997 team also went onto win the RMAC title.
The Mountaineers defeated Wayland Baptist 38-21 in the first game of the season and lost to Angelo State University 38-6 in the following week.
Week 1 Honors...After a convincing win and tremendous individual efforts, linebacker
Jaden Terry and running back
Austin Ekeler were named RMAC Athletes of the Week.
Ekeler ran for 247 yards on 31 carries, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. Ekeler also reached the end zone twice, one of which was a 48-yard scamper.
Terry, also named the NFFCC Player of the Week, recorded one interception and one fumble recovery, both of which were returned for touchdowns. Terry also tied for a team high eight tackles, three of which were for a loss, including one sack.
Week 1 Record Breaking Performances...The Mountaineers charged to victory and also into the record books after the week-one victory.
Austin Ekeler recorded the fifth most rushing yards in a game by a Mountaineer with 247 yards. His 31 carries also tied for 10th place all-time at Western.
Thomas Chavira tied a Western record, sacking the Wayland Baptist quarterback four times, three of which came in the first half.
Chavira also recorded five tackles for a loss which is good enough for second all-time by a Mountaineer.
Kicker
Ryan Winke hit a 51-yard field goal, tying Gary Savoren's attempt in 1976 for the 10th longest field goal all-time in Western history.
Gerald Coleman tied for second most all-time interceptions in a single game with two.
Familiar Territory...Western State began their season in the state of Texas for the third time in four years.
For the fourth consecutive season, the Mountaineers faced an opponent from the state of Texas in the season opener.
After beating Wayland Baptist 38-21, Western has gone 1-3 during that span.
Captain Oh Captain...Captains for the 2014 season are quarterback
Brett Arrivey, running back
Austin Ekeler, punter
Dakota Swinehart, and linebackers
Jaden Terry and
Kalvin Winter.
