Football | 9/1/2015 12:48:00 PM

GUNNISON, Colo. - The wait is finally over. Western State Colorado University football will begin the 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 against the University of Northern Colorado. The Mountaineers will travel to Greeley, Colorado to face the Bears at 1:30 p.m. in Nottingham Field.

Fans will be able to watch the game on Comcast Entertainment Television (CET), broadcasting on channel 105 and in high definition on channel 900. Viewers must be Comcast Xfinity subscribers to view these channels.

In the Gunnison Valley, the game will be broadcast on 98.3 FM "The Edge." Gene Hill and Steve Williams will have the call for the Mountaineers live from the stadium.

Fans will also be able to follow all the action on social media through the following accounts:

Twitter
@MountaineerFB
@WSCUMountaineer

Instagram
@WesternMountaineers

GAME NOTES

SEASON OPENERS
For the first time since 2010, Western will open the season against an opponent outside of the state of Texas. It will also be the first time since 2009 the Mountaineers will play their season opener in the state of Colorado.
Western is 32-57 in season openers. Since 1995, the Mountaineers are 1-19 in season openers. Last season, Western defeated Wayland Baptist University 38-21 in the season opener.

SETTING THE TEMPO
Of their 32 season opening wins, Western has finished those seasons with a winning record 19 times (59.4%) and won the conference title 12 times (37.5%).

OLD FOES
Saturday will be the 63rd meeting between the two schools. Western met with UNC for the first time in 1923. The Mountaineers first traveled to Greeley in 1928. Western's
record in Greeley is 6-22-2. The last time Western was in Greeley, the Mountaineers
came away with a win by forfeit despite being outscored 31-0.

CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
This year's captains on the offensive side are running back Austin Ekeler and quarterback
Brett Arrivey. For the defense, linebackers Jacob Bernhard and Jordan Woodyard
are captains. Punter Dakota Swinehart is Western's captain on special teams.

RECOGNIZABLE FACES
The Mountaineers will look familiar from a year ago as 15 starters return. Of those 15 returners, 10 earned All-RMAC honors. The offense returns nine starters, while the defense returns six. Western also returns their starting punter and place kicker, both of which also earned all-conference honors.

Offensive Starters Returning (9)
WR Kyle Adkins (28 rec, 291 yds, 4 TD) QB Brett Arrivey (233-394-13, 2,456 yds, 17 TD) WR Darren Brady (30 rec, 430 yds, 2 TD) OL Chase Cline (7 GS) RB Austin Ekeler (298 att, 1,676 yds, 14 TD; 38 rec, 417 yds, 2 TD) WR Travis Haney (63 rec, 610 yds, 4 TD) OL Jared Mendicino (10 GS) OL Holden Rexius (10 GS) OL Landis Rowe-Dooley (10 GS)

Defensive Starters Returning (6)
DL Victor Alvarez (28 TT, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack) LB Jacob Bernhard (40 TT, 4 TFL, 2 sacks) DL Thomas Chavira (42 TT, 8.5 TFL, 5 sacks) DB Gerald Coleman (54 TT, 4 INT, 10 PBU) DB Mike Lopez (62 TT, 1 TFL, 2 FR) DL Austin Yurko (40 TT, 3.5 TFL)

Specialists Returning (2)
P Dakota Swinehart (53 punts, 43.7 avg, 2,315 yds, 25 I-20, 16 50+, 2 KO) PK Ryan Winke (19-24 FG, 27-31 PAT, 8 KO)

PRESEASON HONORS
Here's a look at Western's preseason honors through Aug. 30.

PRESEASON ALL-ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
RB Austin Ekeler (Jr., Eaton, Colorado)
DB Gerald Coleman (Sr., Richmond, Texas)
PK Ryan Winke (Jr., Aurora, Colorado)
P Dakota Swinehart (Sr., Taos, New Mexico)

HERO SPORTS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA
P Dakota Swinehart (Sr., Taos, New Mexico)

PRESEASON STANDINGS
After finishing last season tied for sixth place in the RMAC, Western was picked to finish fifth in the annual RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Mountaineers improved their win total by three games in 2014 from the season before, ending with a 4-7 overall record and 3-6 conference
mark.

2015 RMAC Football Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. CSU-Pueblo (9) – 81 points
2. Colorado Mines (1) – 72 points
3. Chadron State – 62 points
4. Colorado Mesa – 56 points
5. Western State Colo. – 47 points
6. Adams State – 41 points
7. Western New Mexico – 29 points
8. Fort Lewis – 27 points
9. Black Hills State – 22 points
10. NM Highlands – 13 points

NEW PERSONNEL
Six new coaches were added to the Western staff before the 2015 season.
On the offensive side, Kyle Dooley (offensive line), Matt Merkens (wide receivers) and Juan Barriga (tight ends) are all first-time Mountaineers.
Jake Van Groll (defensive line), Chris DeMichillie (linebackers)
and Sam Smith (defensive backs) are newcomers on the defensive coaching staff.

RECORD WATCH
These Mountaineers are climbing the Western all-time lists.

CAREER RUSHING YARDS
2. Nate Campbell 1999-02 3,619
3. Chaumont Bouknight 2001-04 3,253
4. Austin Ekeler 2013- 2,725

CAREER RUSHING ATTEMPTS
2. Germaine Daniels 2009-12 733
3. Chaumont Bouknight 2001-04 700
4. Austin Ekeler 2013- 690

CAREER PASSING ATTEMPTS
1. Jason Davis 1993-96 827
2. Brett Arrivey 2013- 813

CAREER PASSING YARDS
4. Nate Baca 2001-04 4,711
5. Andy Lowry 1982-85 4,680
6. Brett Arrivey 2013- 4,531

CAREER PASSING COMPLETIONS
1. Brett Arrivey 2013- 481
2. Jason Davis 1993-96 418

CAREER RECEPTIONS
6. Joe Wuebben 1995-98 132
7. Steve Williams 1967-70 109
8. Travis Haney 2012- 108

CAREER RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
5. Chaumont Bouknight 2001-04 26
6. Ryan Beckman 1997-98 23
Sam Seale 1980-83 23
8. Austin Ekeler 2014- 21

CAREER PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
4. Charlie Thompson 1977-79 35
Tim Thenel 1991-94 35
6. Brett Arrivey 2013- 31

CAREER SCORING
5. Ryan Beckman 1997-98 156
6. Cory Davis 1989-92 146
7. Austin Ekeler 2013- 144