GUNNISON, Colo. – The second longest continual football rivalry in the state of Colorado will resume this Saturday. The Colorado Classic featuring Western State Colorado University and Adams State University is scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. in Mountaineer Bowl.
 
These two programs have been playing each other every year since 1950. The winner of the Colorado Classic will earn the right to possess the Colorado Classic Trophy, which travels to the winning institution. The trophy currently resides at ASU after winning last season's game 52-51 in double overtime.
 
The longest continual rivalry in Colorado is between Western and Colorado School of Mines. The two schools have played 91 games, dating back to 1925.
 
Saturday's game will mark the 70th meeting between Western and Adams. Western lost the last meeting 51-52 in double overtime. It was the first game between the two schools that went into overtime. However, Western holds the series record 39-30.
 
The Mountaineers won the last meeting in Gunnison with a 39-37 in 2014. Western holds a 20-13 lead in the games played against Adams in Mountaineer Bowl.
 
Both teams, 0-1, will be searching for their first win of the season.
 
Fans unable to make Saturday's home opener will be able to follow all the action live over the internet (live stats, live video) and social media (@WSCUMountaineer, @MountaineerFB).
 
KEJJ/KPKE 98.3 FM will also be broadcasting live from the Bowl. Gene Hill and Steve Williams will have the call.
 
Other Notes
 
LAST WEEK
WESTERN - The Mountaineers lost the season opener against Colorado Mesa University 34-14 in Gunnison. CMU took the series lead 22-21. Austin Ekeler led the game in rushing with 110 yards and linebacker Jordan Woodyard led the game in tackles with 12.
 
ASU - The Grizzlies lost their season opener in a close matchup to Black Hills State University 34-33. ASU quarterback Auston Hillman led the game in passing with 246 yards and two touchdowns. ASU's John Reed and Tim Brown Jr. tied for the game lead in tackles with 10.
 
HALL OF FAME GAME
Saturday is Western's Hall of Fame Game. Friday night, Western Athletics will induct former women's diver Mary Ann Anderson (Zeylmaker), football player James Hawkins, track and field athlete Jerry Hollingshead, distance runner Dennis Leck, and Ed Ali as the Lifetime Athletic Achievement Award Recipient into the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame. The class of 2016 is the 22nd class to enter the MSHOF.
 
Since 2010, Western is 2-4 in Hall of Fame games. The Mountaineers have won the past two of the past three, defeating New Mexico Highlands University in 2013 by a score of 33-27, Black Hills State University in 2014 by a score of 34-13, and losing 31-24 to
Chadron State College last season.
 
Western will honor all of the inductees during halftime of Saturday's game.
 
RMAC OPENERS
The Mountaineers have struggled winning the conference opener recently. Over the past 11 seasons, Western has a 1-11 record in their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference openers. The lone victory came against New Mexico
Highlands University in 2006 on the road, with the Mountaineers winning 14-9.
 
After falling in week one against CMU 34-14, Western is 0-1 against the
Mavericks in RMAC openers.
 
PRESEASON PICKS
After finishing the season in sixth place last season, Western was picked to finish fourth in the RMAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Mountaineers also landed three players on the 2016 Preseason All-RMAC Team - RB Austin Ekeler, WR Kyle Adkins and K Ryan Winke.
 
Returning All-American, Austin Ekeler, was also named the RMAC Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, a Division II Preseason All-America First Team selection, a Sporting News and Lindy's Preseason All-American, a HERO Sports Preseason All-America First Team selection, and a D2Football.com Preseason All-American.
 
SEASON OPENERS
Western is 32-59 in season openers. Since 1995, the Mountaineers are 1-21 in season openers. Last season, Western lost a close fought battle to Division I opponent the University of Northern Colorado 34-42 on the road in the season opener. The last opening day win came in 2014 agianst Wayland Baptist, 38-21, on the road. The last season opening win in Gunnison came against Northern Colorado in 1994, when the Mountaineers won 31-26 and went on to win the RMAC title.
 
CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN
This year's captains on the offensive side are running back Austin Ekeler and quarterback Brett Arrivey. For the defense, linebacker Jordan Woodyard and defensive lineman Austin Yurko are captains. Kicker Ryan Winke is Western's captain on special teams.
 
NEW PERSONNEL
Five new coaches were added to the Western staff before the 2016 season. On the offensive side, Paul An (offensive line), Darrin Higgins (wide receivers) and Jack Harris (tight ends) are all first-time Mountaineers. On the defensive side, the Mountaineers bring in a new defensive coordinator with Todd Auer and a new defensive backs coach in Ryan Forrestal.