GUNNISON, Colo. - The Colorado Classic trophy will be fought for once again this Saturday. Western State Colorado University and Adams State University will square-off for the 71st time of this storied rivalry. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Rex Field in Alamosa, Colorado.

Western (0-1, 0-1 RMAC) holds the series advantage and has possession of the Colorado Classic trophy after winning last season's matchup 56-25. However, playing in Alamosa against ASU (0-1, 0-1 RMAC) has proved a difficult task for the Mountaineers in recent years. The last win for Western against the Grizzlies in Alamosa came in 2000.

Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season as each dropped their season opener last week. The Mountaineers fell to Colorado Mesa University 49-23 on the road, while ASU lost 47-41 in double overtime to Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Fans unable to make Thursday night's game will be able to follow all the action live over the internet (live stats, live video) and on social media (@WSCUMountaineer, @MountaineerFB).

Game Notes

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's game will mark the 71st meeting between Western and Adams. Western won the last meeting, 56-25 in Gunnison. The Mountaineers hold the series record 40-30.

The last time in Alamosa, Western came up short losing in double overtime, 51-52. It was the first game between the two schools that went into overtime.

Western is 18-14 on the road in Alamosa, but have lost the previous six. The last Mountaineer win against Adams State in Alamosa came on Oct. 21, 2000 when Western won 25-13.

Both teams, 0-1, will be searching for their first win of the season.

COLORADO CLASSIC
The rivalry between Adams State University and Western State Colorado University is the second longest continual rivalry in the state of Colorado.

These two programs have been playing each other every year since 1950. The winner of the Colorado Classic earns the right to possess the Colorado Classic Trophy, which travels to the winning institution. The trophy currently resides at Western after the Mountaineers won last season's game, 56-25.

The longest continual rivalry in Colorado is between Western State and Colorado School of Mines. The two schools have played 92 games, dating back to 1925.

LAST WEEK
WESTERN - The Mountaineers lost the season opener against Colorado Mesa University 49-23 on the road in Grand Junction. True freshman Dylan Jacob led the Mountaineers in passing with 252 yards passing, throwing for one touchdown and running for another. Justice Macneal-Young led the team in rushing with 37 yards. The Mountaineer defense forced three turnovers, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

ASU - The Grizzlies lost their season opener in a close matchup to Black Hills State University 47-41 in double overtime. ASU had a 31-3 lead until the 2:14 mark of the second quarter. ASU quarterback Jorge Hernandez led the game in passing with 368 yards and three touchdowns. ASU's Corey Brown rushed for a game-high 195 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

4TH QUARTER FIREWORKS
The Mountaineers came alive in the fourth quarter against Colorado Mesa in the first game of the season. Western scored 20 points, while holding the Mavericks scoreless.

Since last season, Western has outscored opponents 95-33 in the fourth.

Last season, Western outscored opponents 75-33 in the fourth quarter. The Mountaineers held six teams scoreless in the final 15 minutes this season (Colorado Mines, Fort Lewis, Black Hills State, New Mexico Highlands, CSU-Pueblo, and S.D. Mines).

SEASON OPENERS
Western is 32-60 in season openers. Since 1995, the Mountaineers are 1-22 in season openers. This season, Western lost to CMU 49-23 in the season opener. The last opening day win came in 2014 against Wayland Baptist, 38-21, on the road. 

Of their 32 season opening wins, Western has finished those seasons with a winning record 19 times (59.4%) and won the conference title 12 times (37.5%).

RMAC OPENERS
The Mountaineers have struggled winning the conference opener recently. Over the past 13 seasons, Western has a 1-12 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.

Western lost the 2017 RMAC opener to Colorado Mesa 49-23.

AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS 
After defeating then ranked No. 23 Colorado School of Mines 45-31 in week four last season, and losing to No. 23 Colorado Mesa 49-23 this season, Western has won the past 2-of-3 games against ranked opponents. The Mountaineers defeated No. 21 Mines in week 10 of 2015.

NEW FACES WITH THE BALL
After four seasons with the same starting quarterback and running back, the Mountaineer offense will begin a new era. Quarterback Brett Arrivey and running back Austin Ekeler were a staple of the Western offense, each planting their names in the record book over the past four seasons. This season, there are eight quarterbacks on the roster vying for the starting spot and nine running backs.

LAST SEASON
Last season, the Mountaineers' seven overall wins and seven wins in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is the most for the program since the 1998 season. Western finished the season in fourth place. However, the Mountaineers were just one win away from earning a share of the conference title.

LOST AND RETURNED
Offensive Starters Returning (5)
WR Markeith McDonald (21 rec, 213 yds, 1 TD), WR Rodray Perkins (38 rec, 338 yds, 2 TD), OL John Boogaard (11 GS), OL Stetson Mohrenweiser (11 GS), OL Andy Armstrong (8 GS)

Offensive Starters Lost (6)
QB Brett Arrivey (158-254-5, 2,021 yds, 17 TD), RB Austin Ekeler (232 att, 1,495 yds, 15 TD), WR Kyle Adkins (28 rec, 612 yds, 9 TD), WR Anthony Apodaca (32 rec, 331 yds, 1 TD), OL Landis Rowe-Dooley (11 GS), OL Holden Rexius (11 GS)

Defensive Starters Returning (3)
DL Victor Alvarez (31 TT, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks), LB Quincy Campbell (42 TT, 1.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks), CB David Velazquez (25 TT, 4 PBr)

Defensive Starters Lost (8)
DL Austin Yurko (60 TT, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF), DL Travis McMurren (8 TT, 2.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks), DL Thomas Chavira (42 TT, 8.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF), LB Kris Bass (74 TT, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF), LB Carter Wasser (89 TT, 12.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks), CB Isaiah Jackson (38 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT, 13 PBr), S Rodrick Waters (60 TT, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBr, 1 FF), S Cade Wasser (78 TT, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 7 PBr)

Specialists Returning (2)
P Garrett Boyd (49 att, 1,876 yds, 38.3 avg, 4 50+, 11 I20), PR/KR Rodray Perkins (11 PRatt, 48 PRyds, 4.4 PRavg, 19 KRatt, 370 KRyds, 19.5 KRavg)

Specialists Lost (2)
LS Jacob Leggett (11 GP), K Ryan Winke (6-9 FG, 37-39 PAT, 55 KO, 63.0 avg)

NEW PERSONNEL
Four new coaches were added to the Western staff before the 2017 season. On the offensive side, Robby Case (offensive coordinator), and Matt Kemp (tight ends) are both first-time Mountaineers. On the defensive side, the Mountaineers bring in a new defensive backs coach with Shane Zimmerman and a new linebackers coach in Jordan Mulloy.

RECORD WATCH
These Mountaineers have reached the peak or are climbing the 
Western all-time lists.

CAREER KICK RETURN YARDS
1. Jimmy Evans    1997-00    1,393
2. Mark Jones    2011-14    1,020
3. Rodray Perkins    2015-    940