This game recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partner Yellowbook
CHADRON, Neb. - Coming off a big win in the Colorado Classic a week prior, the Western State Colorado University football team was unable to replicate that success Saturday against Chadron State College. Playing in their own Homecoming game, the Eagles of Chadron State took care of business and thwarted Western's comeback attempts late in the game. The Eagles won, 40-7 on a windy day in Nebraska.
Western (2-3, 1-2 RMAC) looked out of sync for most of the game, but showed signs of greatness throughout the duration. Winning the turnover battle is a key focus for the Mountaineers every week, and Western did just that against Chadron. In fact, besides turnovers on downs, Western didn't throw a single interception or fumble the football. Defensively, the Mountaineers had one take away, courtesy of defensive back
Mark Jones (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colorado). Jones recorded his second interception in as many weeks.
Both teams were feeling each other out to begin the game. However, it was CSC (3-2, 2-1 RMAC) that struck first. The Eagles took a 50-yard drive into the end zone at the 10:41 mark in the first quarter, and went ahead 7-0. It would be the only score in the first.
Chadron scored 13 more points in the second quarter and went into halftime ahead 20-0.
After half, the Western offense looked rejuvenated. Starting at their own 25 yard line, the Mountaineers marched down the field and into the end zone in eight plays.
Austin Ekeler (So., Eaton, Colorado) scored the touchdown on a 1-yard run, at the 12:15 mark in the third quarter.
The Mountaineers were down just two scores after the Ekeler touchdown and momentum seemed to swing in favor of the Mountaineers. CSC responded quickly and decisively, scoring on the following possesion, putting the Eagles back on top by 19 points, 7-26.
The Eagles went on to score two more touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter, to take a 40-7 win.
Brett Arrivey (So., Woodinville, Washington) was the primary source for the Mountaineer offense against the Eagles. Arrivey threw for 146 on the day, despite being under constant pressure. CSC recorded four sacks on the Western play caller. Continuing to move up the Western record books, Arrivey recorded 18 completions on Saturday. This gives him 348 career completions and Arrivey moves into the fourth spot all-time at Western. Arrivey's 30 attempts on the day also moves him up the career pass attempts list. Arrivey has 589 in his career, which ranks eighth best in Western's history.
Also entering the record books was punter
Dakota Swinehart (Jr., Taos, New Mexico). Swinehart recorded the sixth most punting yards in a game with 443 against Chadron. His 12 punts also ties for second most in a game for a Western student-athlete.
Senior linebacker
Jaden Terry (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colorado) led the Mountaineers' defensive charge against Chadron State. Terry recorded a game high 10 tackles. Terry now has 287 career tackles which ranks ninth in Western's history.
Thomas Chavira (So., Oxnard, California) recorded his team leading fifth sack of the season. Chavira was tied for 25th most sacks in Division II this season. Look for Chavira to move up the national rankings this upcoming week.
The Mountaineers will try and earn their third win of the season next Saturday when they host Black Hills State University in the annual Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame Game. Last season, BHSU and Western played into triple overtime, with the Yellow Jackets prevailing 48-50.
