This recap is presented by MAA Corporate Partner Alpine Orthopaedics
GUNNISON, Colo. – After a year-long absence the Colorado Classic Trophy is back in Gunnison. Western State Colorado University football defeated Adams State University 56-25 in Mountaineer Bowl on Saturday.
Western (1-1, 1-1 RMAC) put the game out of reach early, scoring five touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 35-0 lead after the first 15 minutes.
The Mountaineer defense allowed only six points in the first half and held the Grizzlies to just 71 yards rushing in the game. The defense also forced four ASU turnovers with three interceptions and two fumbles.
Safety
Rodrick Waters (Sr., Richmond, Texas) scored one of those five first quarter touchdowns, returning an interception 30 yards for the score. It was the first pick-six score for the Mountaineers since Mark Jones returned an interception 41 yards two years ago against ASU in Gunnison.
Waters would find the end zone again, this time on special teams, after
David Velazquez blocked an ASU extra point. Waters scooped the blocked kick and ran it all the way back to the end zone for two points at the 3:53 mark of the second quarter to make the score 40-6.
The Mountaineer defense scored 13 points on the day after linebacker
Jordan Woodyard (Sr., Colorado Springs, Colorado) forced and returned a fumble 23 yards for the score at the 10:15 mark in the third quarter. Woodyard led the team in tackles with 10 and also recorded one sack and three quarterback hurries.
Safety
Will Halligan (Jr., Westminster, Colorado) also made two interceptions on the day, the first time since 2014 a Mountaineer defender has recorded two or more interceptions in a game.
Offensively,
Austin Ekeler (Sr., Eaton, Colorado) led the Mountaineers in scoring with three touchdown runs. Ekeler also led the game in rushing with 123 yards.
Quarterback
Brett Arrivey (Sr., Woodinville, Washington) recorded a game high 189 yards passing and two touchdowns before exiting the field in the third quarter due to an injury.
Backup quarterback
Cameron Shumway (So., Blanding, Utah) took over for Arrivey and ran for 109 yards. It's the first time in 12 years two or more Western players have ran for 100 yards or more.
Western kicker
Ryan Winke (Sr., Aurora, Colorado) was busy all game long, making two field goals and six extra points for 12 points on the day.
Anthony Apodaca (Sr., Northglenn, Colorado) led the Western receiving group with five receptions for 88 yards. Touchdown receptions came from
Markeith McDonald (Jr., Frisco, Colorado) and
Kyle Adkins (Sr., Woodinville, Washington).
The Mountaineer defensive line was able to disrupt the Grizzlies' quarterbacks all day, sacking them three times. Interior lineman
Austin Yurko (Sr., Thornton, Colorado) led the way with one sack and two tackles for a loss.
After two games at home to open the season, Western will travel to Chadron, Nebraska to face Chadron State College next Saturday, Sept. 17.
