GUNNISON, Colo. – Behind a stellar defensive performance, Western State Colorado University defeated New Mexico Highlands University 58-0 on the road. Saturday's win was the sixth this season for Western, the most season victories since 2002.
 
Western (6-2, 6-2 RMAC) earned two consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 1976 season. The six conference wins is the most for the program since the 1998 season.
 
In the end, Western recorded over 700 yards of total offense for the first time since the 1991 season. 459 of the team's 703 yards came on the ground. Running backs Austin Ekeler and Vince Grasso each had over 150 yards rushing, while freshman Justice Macneal-Young ran for 99 yards.
 
Western's 459 rushing yards is the second most single game rushing yards in school history. The 703 yards of total offense is the third most.
 
"Guys did a good job getting going early," Head Coach Jas Bains said. "We just kept fighting all day long, guys executed and they did a nice job today."
 
Defensively, the Mountaineers made key stops and big plays all game long to preserve the shutout. In the first half, Western forced two fumbles, including one at the Mountaineers' two-yard line.
 
The Mountaineers scored on the first four-of-five first half possessions against NMHU (0-8, 0-7 RMAC). Western scored on drives of 77, 60, 98, and 64 yards in the first half.
 
Ekeler recorded 173 yards rushing with two scores on the ground, while Grasso ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns as well. Macneal-Young had another rushing touchdown for the Mountaineers.
 
Ekeler, a Harlon Hill Trophy candidate, notched 245 all-purpose yards against Highlands. The senior caught two passes for 72 yards, with one resulting in a touchdown.
 
In the second half, the Mountaineer defense flexed its muscles, recording a safety for the first time in two years. The two points near the end of the third quarter put Western ahead 44-0.
 
The defense then came away with the third turnover late in the fourth as NMHU was threatening to destroy the Mountaineers' shutout hopes. With the ball on the Western nine-yard line, the Cowboys tossed the ball into the back corner of the end zone. Mountaineer defensive back Jake Brown made a play on the ball and converted the interception, preserving the Western shutout.
 
Will Halligan led the Mountaineer defense in tackles with nine. Halligan also had one of Western's two first-half forced fumbles.
 
Quarterback Brett Arrivey completed 14 passes on 21 attempts, throwing for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Arrivey connected with Kyle Adkins, Ekeler and Rodray Perkins for the scores. Adkins totaled 81 yards receiving on two catches, while Perkins notched 52 yards on three receptions.
 
Both Arrivey and Ekeler sat out the entire fourth quarter.