Football | 9/23/2015 5:25:00 PM

GUNNISON, Colo. - Western State Colorado University and Adams State University will renew their rivalry for the 69th time on the gridiron. Saturday's matchup, known as the Colorado Classic, is the state's second-longest continual rivalry. For this season's edition, the Mountaineers will travel to Alamosa, Colorado for a 6 p.m. kickoff in Rex Stadium.

Western (0-3, 0-1 RMAC) enter the game having lost the previous week to then ranked No. 13 CSU-Pueblo, 20-10. ASU (0-3, 0-1 RMAC) also lost the previous week, falling to Colorado Mesa University 55-16.

The Mountaineer offense is led by the tandem of quarterback Brett Arrivey (Jr., Woodinville, Washington) and running back Austin Ekeler (Jr., Eaton, Colorado). Despite Ekeler missing the second game of the season due to injury, the two have combined for over 1,000 yards of offense in just the first three weeks. On the defensive side, linebacker and captain Jacob Bernhard (Sr., Fort Lupton, Colorado) leads the Mountaineers with 32 tackles. Bernhard missed the first game of the season but has recorded 16 tackles in the past two games alone.

For the pass-heavy Grizzlies, quarterback Auston Hillman is the biggest beneficiary of their pass heavy system. Hillman has thrown for 557 yards, completing 65 percent of his passes. Defensively, James Regan leads ASU in tackles with 24.

For fans attending Saturday's game, tickets can be purchased one hour and 30 minutes before kickoff. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and $5 for kids ages 5-12.

For those unable to make the trip, fans can watch a free live online stream of the game on portal.stretchinternet.com/gomountaineers, listen on KEJJ 98.3 FM in the Gunnison valley, or listen online at www.kwsb.org. Live stats will also be made available by clicking here.

Fans can also receive live updates by following the Twitter accounts of Mountaineer Athletics (@WSCUMountaineers) and Mountaineer Football (@MountaineerFB).

GAME NOTES

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game will mark the 69th meeting between Western and Adams. Western won the last meeting 39-37 in Gunnison. Western also holds the series record 39-29.

In Alamosa, the Mountaineers have a record of 18-13. However, the last Western win at Adams State came in 2000 when the Mountaineers defeated the Grizzlies 25-13.

Both teams, 0-3, will be in search of their first win of the season Saturday.

COLORADO CLASSIC
The rivalry between Adams State University and Western State Colorado University is the second longest continual rivalry in the state of Colorado.

These two programs have been playing each other every year since 1950. The winner of the Colorado Classic will earn the right to possess the Colorado Classic Trophy, which travels to the winning institution. The trophy currently resides at Western after the Mountaineers defeated ASU 39-37 in 2014.

The longest continual rivalry in Colorado is between Western State and Colorado School of Mines. The two schools have played 90 games, dating back to 1925.

TOUGH OUT THE GATE
Western's 2015 schedule is loaded with tough matchups and the front end. The Mountaineers began the season against NCAA Division I FCS opponent Northern Colorado. Western then faced No. 12 ranked Angelo State University in the home opener. The Rams are currently ranked sixth in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

The Mountaineers then faced defending National Champions Colorado State University - Pueblo. The ThunderWolves opened the season ranked second in Division II and were 13th when Western faced CSU-Pueblo. The ThunderWolves are currently ranked 10th in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

VERY SPECIAL TEAMS
Western's special teams have been going at full throttle this season. The Mountaineers blocked two extra points, and returned one for two points but was eventually called back because of illegal batting against Angelo State in week two. The Mountaineers also forced and recovered a fumble on kickoff coverage.

Senior Dakota Swinehart recorded 334 yards on seven punts, averaging 47.7 yards per punt. Kicking three punts over 50 yards, his longest of 69 yards ranks fifth all-time in Western's history. Swinehart pinned the Rams within their own 20-yard line three times in week two.

Through week three, Western is tied for 15th in Division II for punt returns and 28th in net punting.

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.

STREAKING
Western has been streaking over the past two games. Here is where their streaks currently are.

AFTER CSU-PUEBLO
Defense
Western's defense has had a player record 14 or more tackles in two consecutive games. (Lopez at UNC 14; Coleman vs. Angelo 14; Bernhard vs. Angelo 16; Bernhard at CSU-Pueblo 16).

AFTER ANGELO STATE
QB - Brett Arrivey
Arrivey threw for 309 yards, recording his eighth straight game passing for 200 or more yards, which started on Oct. 11, 2014. Arrivey also passed for over 300 yards in his second consecutive games.

Defense
Western's defense has had a player record 14 or more tackles in two consecutive games. (Lopez at UNC 14; Coleman vs. Angelo 14; Bernhard vs. Angelo 16)

AFTER UNC
RB - AUSTIN EKELER
Ekeler ran for 226 yards for his seventh consecutive game of 100 or more rushing yards, which started on Oct. 11, 2014.

QB - Brett Arrivey
Arrivey threw for 302 yards, recording his seventh straight game passing for 200 or more yards, which started on Oct. 11, 2014.

RMAC OPENERS
The Mountaineers have struggled winning the conference opener recently. Over the past 10 seasons, Western has a 1-10 record in their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference openers. The lone victory came against New Mexico Highlands University in 2006 on the road, with the Mountaineers winning 14-9.  On the road since 2005, Western has a record of 1-5 in RMAC openers. 

After falling in week two against CSU-Pueblo 20-10, Western is 1-1 against CSU-Pueblo in RMAC openers. The Mountaineers lost last season's RMAC opener against the ThunderWolves 23-26 in Gunnison. The only other meeting between the two schools in the conference opener came in 1976 when the Mountaineers travelled to Pueblo and won 17-6.

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.

HOMECOMING GAMES
After losing to Angelo State the Mountaineers have won 27.3 percent (3-of-8) of homecoming games since 2008. Against out-of-state opponents during homecoming since 2008, Western has a record of 2-4. In last season's homecoming game, the Mountaineers defeated Adams State University 39-37 to win the Colorado Classic trophy. 

SEASON OPENERS
For the first time since 2010, Western opened the season against an opponent outside of the state of Texas. It was also be the first time since 2009 the Mountaineers played their season opener in the state of Colorado.

Western is 32-58 in season openers. Since 1995, the Mountaineers are 1-20 in season openers. Last season, Western defeated Wayland Baptist University 38-21 in the season opener. This season, the Mountaineers fell to the University of Northern Colorado 42-34. 

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

After week three, Ekeler moved into second place all-time for career rushing attempts; Arrivey moves into fourth all-time in career passing touchdowns

After week two, Arrivey moved into third place all-time for career passing yards and moved into a tie for the fourth most passing touchdowns.

After week one, Ekeler moved into third place for all-time career rushing attempts, tied for sixth most career rushing touchdowns, tied for fifth place in career scoring; Arrivey became Western's all-time leader in pass attempts, moved into fourth for career passing yards; Haney moved into seventh for career receptions

CAREER RUSHING YARDS
2. Nate Campbell 1999-02 3,619
3. Chaumont Bouknight 2001-04 3,253
4. Austin Ekeler 2013- 3,037

CAREER RUSHING ATTEMPTS
1. Nate Campbell    1999-02 806
2. Austin Ekeler 2013- 742

CAREER PASSING ATTEMPTS
1. Brett Arrivey 2013- 938
2. Jason Davis 1993-96 827

CAREER PASSING YARDS
1. Jason Davis    1993-96    5,837
2. Jayson Merrill    1990-91    5,830
3. Brett Arrivey    2013-    5,292

CAREER PASSING COMPLETIONS
1. Brett Arrivey 2013- 555
2. Jason Davis 1993-96 418

CAREER RECEPTIONS
5. Jeremy Craighead    2000-03    136
6. Joe Wuebben    1995-98    132
7. Travis Haney    2012-    115

CAREER RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
5. Chaumont Bouknight 2001-04 26
6. Ryan Beckman 1997-98 23 
     Sam Seale 1980-83 23
     Austin Ekeler 2013- 23

CAREER PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
2. Jason Davis 1993-96 50
3. Eric Hannah 1997-98 46
4. Brett Arrivey 2013- 36

CAREER SCORING
4. Sam Seale    1980-83    184
5. Ryan Beckman    1997-98    156
     Austin Ekeler    2013-    156

RECORD BREAKING GAMES
Here are the Western game records broken by week.

WEEK TWO

GAME PASSING ATTEMPTS
1.    Brett Arrivey vs. Angelo State
    9/12/15    59

GAME COMPLETIONS
2.    Brett Arrivey vs. Angelo State
    9/12/15    31

LONG PUNT
5.    Dakota Swinehart vs. Angelo State
    9/12/15    69

WEEK ONE

GAME RUSHING YARDS
8.    Austin Ekeler at Northern Colorado
    9/5/15    226

GAME RUSHING ATTEMPTS
T-10.     Austin Ekeler at Northern Colorado
    9/5/15    32

GAME COMPLETIONS
T-6.    Brett Arrivey at Northern Colorado
    9/5/15    28

MOUNTAINEERS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
This is where individual Mountaineers rank in the top 25 of NCAA Division II stats.

QB - BRETT ARRIVEY
    Completions - T-9th (75)
    Average Completions Per Game - 16th (24.67)

K - RYAN WINKE
    Field Goals Per Game - T-10th (1.67)

P - DAKOTA SWINEHART
    Average Punting Yards Per Game - 5th (43.7)

MOUNTAINEERS IN THE RMAC RANKINGS
This is where individual Mountaineers rank in the top three of RMAC stats.

RB - AUSTIN EKELER
    Average rushing yards per game - 2nd (156.0)
    All-Purpose Yards Per Game - 3rd (175.0)

QB - BRETT ARRIVEY
    Average Passing Yards Per Game - 3rd (253.7)
    Passing Yards - 3rd (761)
    Completions - 3rd (75)
    Passing Attempts - 2nd (125)
    Total Offense Per Game - 3rd (263.3)
    Total Offense - 3rd (790)

K - RYAN WINKE
    Field Goals - T-2nd (5)

RB - VINCE GRASSO
    Kick Return Average - 3rd (21.8)

P - DAKOTA SWINEHART
    Average Punting Yards Per Game - 1st (43.7)
    Long Punt - 1st (69)

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)