GOLDEN, Colo. – For the last two seasons, Western State Colorado University football came away victorious against the Colorado School of Mines. The Mountaineers were unable to make it three straight against their longtime rival, falling to the Orediggers 45-7 on the road.
 
Western (0-4, 0-4 RMAC) fell behind 7-0 after a 10-play CSM (2-2, 2-2 RMAC) drive ended in a touchdown at the 9:05 mark of the first quarter. The Mountaineers responded two possessions later as quarterback Dylan Jacob connected with receiver Zach Manchester on a four yard fade in the back of the end zone.
 
Western and CSM were tied 7-7 through the end of the first quarter.
 
Jacob and Manchester connected on a total of eight passes. Manchester finished with a game-high 71 yards receiving and one touchdown on those eight catches. Jacob finished 14-for-21 on passing attempts, recording a game-high 115 yards passing.
 
Late in the second quarter was when things started slipping away from the Mountaineers.
 
After an Orediggers touchdown at the 3:33 mark of the second quarter to take the lead 14-7, CSM would score on their following two possessions to take a 28-7 lead into the break.
 
The Mountaineer defense held firm in the second half allowing the Orediggers just one third quarter touchdown, a 59 yard run by Cameron Mayberry. Mayberry finished with a game-high 155 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
 
CSM would get three more points to close out the day with a 28 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
 
On defense, Western's Lane Farris recorded a game-high 10 tackles. The redshirt freshman linebacker also posted 2.5 tackles for a loss and a half sack.
 
Returner Rodray Perkins continues his ascent up the career kickoff return list. Perkins returned two kickoffs for 50 yards on Saturday, which brings his career kickoff return total to 990. Perkins is now just 30 yards away from passing Mark Jones' (2011-14) 1,020 return yards in second place all-time.
 
The Mountaineers return home next Saturday for the annual Homecoming Game. Western hosts Dixie State University at 1 p.m. in Mountaineer Bowl.