GUNNISON, Colo. – After four quarters and 98 combined points, the 72^nd Colorado Classic between Western Colorado University and Adams State University came down to overtime. The Mountaineers struck first with a field goal, but the Grizzlies snatched the win with a touchdown to take the victory, 55-52.
 
The 107 combined points on Saturday was the most in the 72-year history of the Colorado Classic. Western has now scored over 50 points in three of the last four Colorado Classic games.
 
The odds were bleak for Western (0-4, 0-3 RMAC) as they started a fourth quarter drive, trailing ASU (2-2, 2-2 RMAC) 41-28 with 10:47 left to play. The Mountaineers started on their own 12-yard line and started charging down the field.
 
The drive stalled on the Western 43-yard line, and the Mountaineers needed to convert on fourth and eight. Quarterback Dylan Jacob found receiver Jordan Barton for an 11-yard gain down the left sideline to keep the drive alive.
 
It was then running back Isaac Fuqua's turn as he broke into the open for a 25-yard gain. Fuqua ran for a career-high 224 yards. His 39 rushing attempts ranks fifth most all-time for any Mountaineer.
 
Western capped the 15-play, 88-yard drive with an eight-yard passing touchdown. Only this time, it was Barton who found Jacob in the end zone.
 
With less than 5:30 left to play, the odds were still against Western as they trailed 41-35.
 
A deep kickoff from Chandler Davis was returned by the Grizzlies 11 yards before Tremell Stanley forced a fumble. Western's Josh Nelson recovered and the Mountaineers had the ball back on the ASU 12 with 5:15 left to play.
 
It took just one play, a run by Fuqua, to put the Mountaineers ahead, 42-41.
 
Fuqua ran for five touchdowns in the game, tying the Western single-game rushing touchdown record.
 
Neither team was able to move the ball on their ensuing possessions and were forced to punt. Following a 46-yard Garrett Boyd punt, the Grizzlies took over on their own 10-yard line with 3:51 to play.
 
On the Grizzlies' first play following the punt, quarterback Nick Rooney was flushed from the pocket and tried to throw down the left sideline. Mountaineer defensive back Tim Mullin reached over the ASU receiver and earned his first career pick.
 
Again, Fuqua was called upon. He took the ball 24-yards for the score, giving the Mountaineers a 49-41 lead with 3:37 remaining.
 
However, the Grizzlies completed a 75-yard drive with a touchdown and converted the extra point to tie the game at 49 points.
 
The Mountaineers took over with 1:33 left in regulation and again, marched down the field. Western had a chance to win it in regulation, attempting a 35-yard field goal as time expired, but the kick sailed inches wide of the upright.
 
Chandler made a 37-yard field goal for Western in overtime, but a third-down strike by Rooney to Chad Hovasse gave the Grizzlies the win.
 
ASU got out to a fast start, scoring 21 points to Western's seven in the first quarter.
 
The Mountaineers responded by outscoring the Grizzlies 21-6 in the second quarter to take a 1-point lead into halftime.
 
Mountaineer quarterback Jacob completed 18 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown.
 
Receiver Zach Manchester led Western with 67 receiving yards on six receptions.
 
Western's defense recorded four sacks, forcing one fumble and intercepting ASU once.
 
Lane Farris led the Mountaineers with one tackle and 1.5 sacks. Teammate Desmond Marfizo also recorded double-digit tackles with 10.
 
Western's 52 points were the most since defeating New Mexico Highlands University on Oct. 22, 2016.
 
The next opponent for the Mountaineers is Chadron State College. Western will travel to Chadron, Nebraska for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference showdown next Saturday at 1 p.m. (MDT).