This game recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partners Chamberland Sport-Med
GUNNISON, Colo. - The No. 12 ranked Angelo State University Rams came to town on Saturday and left with a win. Western State Colorado University was unable to upset their ranked opponent during Homecoming. ASU defeated the Mountaineers 48-20.
After being down 29-7 at halftime, the Mountaineers (0-2, 0-0 RMAC) clawed their way back into the game. Quarterback
Brett Arrivey (Jr., Woodinville, Washington) and
Kyle Adkins (Jr., Woodinville, Washington) connected on a 21-yard touchdown pass to put the Mountaineers within nine points, 20-29 with 8:39 left in the third. Adkins was Arrivey's favorite target on Saturday, recording six catches for 73 yards and one score. Unfortunately for Western, it would be the last score of the game for the home team.
"Angelo State is a good team," Head Coach
Jas Bains said about Saturday's game. "We didn't execute early and that costs us. We need to be more consistent throughout the entire game."
Arrivey also threw another touchdown at the 11:01 mark in the first quarter. Arrivey passed it to the back of the end zone and found
Markeith McDonald (So., Frisco, Colorado) for the 14-yard touchdown pass. Arrivey's two passing touchdowns on the day moves him into a tie for fourth place all-time at Western with Charlie Thompson (1977-79) and Tim Thenel (1991-94).
Arrivey's counterpart Kyle Washington of Angelo State (2-0, 0-0 LSC) showed why he is one of the top candidates for this year's Harlon Hill Trophy for the best player in Division II. Washington threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more. Washington had 51 yards rushing to go on top of 423 passing yards.
A high point for the Mountaineers on Saturday was the play of their special teams. Western blocked two ASU extra points, and returned one for two points but was controversially called back. The Mountaineers'
Taylor Juniel (So., Denver, Colorado) also forced a fumble during an ASU kick return, which would lead to Western's score in the third quarter to bring the game to 29-20. Punter
Dakota Swinehart (Sr., Taos, New Mexico) made seven punts in the game, averaging 47.7 yards per punt. Swinehart's longest went 69 yards and is the fifth longest punt in Western history. Swinehart pinned ASU within their own 20-yard line three times, one of which landed out of bounds at the 3-yard line.
With running back
Austin Ekeler (Jr., Eaton, Colorado) not playing on Saturday, the Mountaineer ground game struggled to get going. Western was held to 47 total yards rushing, which is the first time Western has been held under 50-yards rushing since Sept. 7, 2013 against West Texas A&M (18 yards). Getting the majority of the carries was
Isaac Fuqua (So., Houston, Texas). Fuqua ran for 37 yards on eight carries.
Western's defense recorded three forced fumbles, recovering two.
Carter Wasser (So., Cedaredge, Colorado) also earned a turnover, intercepting Washington in the first quarter.
Dylan Boyce (Jr., Simi Valley, California) led the way for Western with two tackles for a loss, while recording four tackles on the day.
Jacob Bernhard (Sr., Fort Lupton, Colorado) made 16 tackles for the Mountaineers and 0.5 tackles for a loss.
With 309 yards passing on the day,
Arrivey moves into third place all-time at Western for career passing yards with 5,142 yards. It is also the eighth consecutive game Arrivey has thrown for 200 yards or more and second consecutive game throwing for 300 yards or more.
Western won't have much of a break as they face No. 2 ranked and defending National Champions Colorado State University - Pueblo next Saturday on the road.
