This recap is presented by Mountaineer Athletic Association Corporate Partner Gunnison Energy

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GUNNISON, Colo. – For the second straight season, Western State Colorado University football entered a game against No. 23 Colorado School of Mines as the underdog. For the second straight season, the Mountaineers pulled off the upset. Western defeated the Orediggers 45-31 on Saturday in the annual Homecoming game in Gunnison.
 
After two drives by CSM (2-2, 2-2 RMAC) of more than 70 yards, Western (3-1, 3-1 RMAC) found themselves trailing 31-21, heading into the fourth quarter. Once again, the Mountaineers turned to their All-American running back Austin Ekeler (Sr., Eaton, Colorado).
 
Ekeler scored his third touchdown of the day from one yard out on the first play of the fourth quarter, with the Mountaineers still trailing 31-28.
 
Western's defense responded, forcing Mines into a three-and-out on their next possession, giving the ball back to the Western offense.
 
The Mountaineer offense then capped off a six play drive with Ekeler finding the end zone for the fourth time in the game with a 16-yard run. Western regained control of the lead, 35-31 with 9:50 remaining.
 
This time, the Mountaineer defense allowed one first down before the Mines offense was forced to punt the ball away. The punt pinned Western at their own five yard line.
 
It took only three rushes for Ekeler to find the end zone for a fourth time. After running the ball to Western's 12 yard line, Ekeler broke free for an 88-yard touchdown, the fourth longest run in Western history. With 6:42 left to play, Western had some breathing room, ahead 42-31.
 
However, with Mines' quarterback, Justin Dvorak, no lead is safe. Dvorak threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
 
Mines moved the ball down the field and were in Western territory after only two plays. Western's defensive line consistently forced Dvorak to move out of the pocket and defensive end Dylan Boyce finally captured the elusive quarterback in the backfield, stifling the CSM drive. After stopping the Orediggers on fourth down, Western took possession with 4:06 left to play.
 
The Mountaineer offense and Ekeler took control and moved the ball into Mines territory after a 50-yard run by Ekeler. Kicker Ryan Winke solidified the win, converting a 38-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining.
 
After Isaiah Jackson broke-up the Mines' fourth down attempt on the next drive, the Mountaineers kneeled on the ball, taking the win.
 
Ekeler ran for 316 yard, scoring three touchdowns on the ground. The running back also recorded 49 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions. After recording the fourth most rushing yards in school history a week before (283 yards), this week's total ranks as the third best.
 
Ekeler also became Western's all-time leader in rushing attempts with 823 and scoring with 336 points.
 
The Mountaineers outscored the Orediggers 24-0 in the fourth quarter, and after outscoring Mines 14-10 in the first quarter, the Mountaineers extend the season's first quarter scoring difference to 59-17.
 
On defense, linebacker Carter Wasser tied a game high 10 tackles while recording two sacks and three tackles for a loss. In total, Western's defense sacked Dvorak four times on Saturday.
 
The receiving core of Kyle Adkins, Markeith McDonald and Rodray Perkins consistently made plays to extend drives. Quarterback Brett Arrivey found Adkins five times while McDonald and Perkins each had four catches. Arrivey and Adkins also connected for a 35 yard first quarter touchdown.
 
Arrivey threw for 216 yards and three touchdowns, completing 15 of 23 attempts.
 
Western defeated Mines last season 45-42 on the road. The Orediggers were ranked No. 21 in Division II.
 
The last time Western started a season with a 3-1 record was in 1997. The Mountaineers would go on to win a conference title that season.
 
The Mountaineers will try and make it three wins in a row next week when they travel to Dixie State University in St. George, Utah.