CHADRON, Neb. – For the first time in 19 meetings, Western State Colorado University defeated Chadron State College. The Mountaineers defeated the Eagles 25-14 for their first win over CSC since 1997, and their first win in Chadron, Nebraska since 1995.
 
With eight minutes remaining, CSC (1-2, 1-2 RMAC) had the ball on Western's 11 yard line, looking to take the lead, down 17-15. Running back Cody Paul took the handoff and ran into the end zone. After Western (2-1, 2-1 RMAC) led the entire game, it seemed they were in need of a last minute fourth quarter drive to win the game.
 
However, the play was called back due to offensive holding. This gave the Mountaineers new life. The ball was moved to the 21 yard line, and after a quarterback hurry by Austin Yurko (Sr., Thornton, Colorado) and another holding penalty on the Eagles, CSC faced a third down and 30 yards on the Western 31.
 
Thomas Chavira (Sr., Oxnard, California) provided the pressure on third down to force an incompletion. Chavira was threatening the quarterback all day, recording one sack, two quarterback hurries, 2.5 tackles for a loss and 10 tackles. David Velazquez (So., Scottsdale, Ariz.) followed that with a pass breakup on fourth down, preserving the lead and giving the ball back to Western with 7:24 left to play.
 
One play later, the Mountaineers solidified their lead after running back Austin Ekeler (Sr., Eaton, Colorado) ran 69 yards for the score.

"Our defense did a great job all day," Western Head Coach Jas Bains said. "They responded well and showed great adversity after being put in some tough situations."
 
Ekeler recorded 283 yards rushing, which is the second most in his career and the fourth most in Western history for a single game.
 
As a team, Western's offense accounted for 377 yards on the ground. This is the seventh most rushing yards in a game by the Mountaineers in school history.

"Our game plan was good, and our offensive line played exceptionally well today," Bains remarked.
 
The Mountaineer defense controlled the game, especially at the start. Western held CSC scoreless through the first quarter. In fact, the Eagles didn't enter Mountaineer territory until the 8:30 mark of the second quarter.
 
Western's defense held the Eagles to just 115 yards of total offense in the first half, and only 25 yards rushing.
 
Kicker Ryan Winke (Sr., Aurora, Colorado) opened the scoring, with a 41-yard field goal at the 9:34 mark of the first quarter, giving Western a 3-0 lead on the first possession of the game.
 
After stopping CSC on their following possession, Western drove down the field and scored on a 20-yard run by Ekeler. The drive took 15 plays and 7:58. It was Ekeler's first of two touchdowns on the day, giving Western a 10-0 lead at the 14:20 mark of the second quarter.
 
The Mountaineers scored again at the 9:02 mark of the second quarter after quarterback Cameron Shumway (RSo., Blanding, Utah) scrambled 11 yards for the score, giving Western a 17-0 lead. Shumway recorded 84 yards before leaving the game midway through the second quarter.
 
Western seemed to be in control of the game until a muffed punt and two-point conversion gave the Eagles eight points with 7:37 remaining in the first half.
 
CSC would score again with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter, to cut the Mountaineer lead to 17-15. It would be the final score of the game for the Eagles.
 
The Wasser brothers, Cade and Carter, led the Mountaineer defense in tackles. Linebacker Carter Wasser (Jr., Cedaredge, Colorado) recorded 11 tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Safety Cade Wasser (Jr., Cedaredge, Colorado) recorded 10 tackles, 0.5 tackles for a loss and two pass breakups.
 
With quarterback Brett Arrivey (Sr., Woodinville, Washington) inactive for the game, Western recorded only 30 yards passing. It was the lowest since the Mountaineers recorded 34 passing yards against Angelo State University in 2005.
 
The Mountaineers will return home next week to host Colorado School of Mines in the annual Homecoming Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Mountaineer Bowl.