RAPID CITY, S.D. – There was an aerial assault conducted by the Western State Colorado University football team on Saturday. Playing in the final game of the season, the Mountaineers dismantled the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Hardrockers 42-7 to end the season with a 7-4 record.
 
The Mountaineers' seven overall wins and seven wins in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is the most for the program since the 1998 season.
 
"It was a great finish to the year," Western Head Coach Jas Bains said. "The seniors performed well today."
 
Western's offense had a record setting day, and it all started with the opening drive. It took only seven plays for Western (7-4, 7-3 RMAC) to open the scoring, going 78 yards in the first 3:22. Quarterback Brett Arrivey connected with receiver Kyle Adkins for a 19-yard pass and catch to put the Mountaineers ahead of SDSMT (5-6, 4-6 RMAC) 7-0.
 
It would be the first of four touchdowns receptions for Adkins, setting a new Western single game record. All four touchdown receptions were made in the first half. Adkins would also record 204 yards receiving in the process, which ranks second most in school history.
 
"That connection between Brett and Kyle has been happening since they were 10 years old," Bains remarked. "It was impressive and special to see them play so well today."
 
Along with the four touchdown passes to Adkins, Arrivey threw for another touchdown and ran for one more. His five touchdown passes are a career high for the graduating senior and ranks tied for the second most single-game touchdown passes thrown in the program record book.
 
Arrivey continued to be efficient all game long, completing 70.3 percent of his passes (26-of-37) for 406 yards. His passing total also ranks as the fifth most passing yards in a single game for Western.
 
Heading into halftime, the Mountaineer defense held the Hardrockers scoreless, ahead 35-0. The Western defenders kept the Hardrockers off balance, allowing only six first half first downs.
 
Western's defense also recorded five takeaways, forcing three fumbles and intercepting SDSMT quarterback Ben Broeker twice. Defensive backs Will Halligan and Isaiah Jackson each recorded on the picks.
 
Cade Wasser led the Mountaineers in tackles with 12.  
 
Receiver Rodray Perkins caught the other touchdown pass from Arrivey. Perkins took the pass 46 yards for the score at the 4:07 mark of the second quarter.
 
Senior running back Vince Grasso stepped-in for injured running back Austin Ekeler and gained 147 yards for the Mountaineers on 27 attempts.
 
The 2016 Mountaineer seniors have indelibly left their mark on the Western record book. Below is a list of season and career accomplishments from the past season.
 
2016 SEASON RECORDS

TEAM
2,493 – 4^th most rushing yards
4,670 – 4^th most total offense
184 – 7^th least points scored against

INDIVIDUAL

Austin Ekeler
1,495 rushing yards – 4^th most
149.5 rushing yards per game – 4^th most
15 rushing touchdowns – 3^rd most
108 points scored – Tied for 2^nd most
1,751 all-purpose yards – 3^rd most
175.1 all-purpose yards per game – 3^rd most

Brett Arrivey
224.6 passing yards per game – 7^th best
17 touchdown passes – Tied for 8^th most

Kyle Adkins
21.8 yards per reception – 9^th best
9 touchdown receptions – Tied for 4^th most

Ryan Winke
39 extra point attempts – 4^th most
37 made extra points – 4^th most

Rodray Perkins
19 kickoff returns – Tied for 10^th most
 
CAREER RECORDS

Austin Ekeler
5,857 rushing yards – 1^st
939 rushing attempts – 1^st
55 rushing touchdowns – 1^st
378 points scored – 1^st
 
Brett Arrivey
1,472 passes attempted – 1^st
894 passing completions – 1^st
9,461 passing yards – 1^st
72 passing touchdowns – 1^st
 
Anthony Apodaca
132 receptions – Tied for 7^th
 
Kyle Adkins
1,497 receiving yards – 10^th
21 receiving touchdowns – Tied for 3^rd
 
Ryan Winke
282 points scored – 3^rd