GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University hosted No. 17 Humboldt State University on Saturday in Mountaineer Bowl. The Mountaineers fended-off the Lumberjacks for as long as possible, but ultimately fell, 48-3.
 
Western (1-9, 1-8 RMAC) faced their first and only non-conference opponent of the season on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, HSU (8-1, 6-1 GNAC) had one of the best offenses in Division II.
 
Big plays downed Western early as the Lumberjacks scored on a 62-yard pass play and an 85-yard pick six in the first quarter.
 
The Mountaineers would counter with a 22-yard field goal by Max Smith to begin the second quarter after a 15-play, 70-yard drive to make the score 21-3 in favor of HSU with 14:15 remaining in the first half.
 
Despite the loss, quarterback Easton Bruere was able to connect with receiver Bryce Harvey for a team-high 109 yards receiving.
 
Bruere threw for 153 yards, completing 15-of-21 passes (71.4 percent).
 
Western's Mitchell Jones forced the only Lumberjack turnover of the game. After Humboldt made it into the red zone in the first quarter, Jones came across the middle and intercepted the pass, giving the ball back to the Mountaineer offense, down just 7-0 with 10:57 left in the first quarter.
 
Desmond Marfizo and Lane Farris led the Mountaineer defense with nine tackles each. Farris also recorded three tackles for a loss.
 
The Mountaineers will play their final game of the season next Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. against South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Mountaineer Bowl.