GOLDEN, Colo. --- The Western Colorado football team played tough, but fell on the road to No. 11 Colorado School of Mines 28-0 on Saturday at Marv Kay Stadium.
 
The Mountaineers (3-3 overall, 3-2 RMAC) trailed 14-0 late in the second quarter and appeared they may go into the half that way with the undefeated Orediggers (6-0, 6-0), but Mines scored on a 9-play, 77-yard drive capped by a 23-yard quarterback scramble for a touchdown by John Matocha with 13 seconds left in the half to take a 21-0 lead on Western Colorado into the half.
 
The Mountaineer defense held strong in the second half as WCU held Mines well under their season averages for points and yardage while yielding only seven points in the second half. The WCU offense moved the ball at times, but were 0-for-2 on red zone opportunities.
 
WCU was outgained 387-213 in total offense with the Mountaineers throwing for 164 yards and rushing for 49 while the Orediggers threw for 263 yards and rushed for 124.
 
Connor Desch finished 13-for-33 for 164 yards for the Mountaineers while Desch, Leyba and Deyvong Butler each had a team-high 14 yards on the ground. James Bryant had a team-best 54 yards on four catches.
 
Dominick Fletcher led WCU with nine tackles while Josh Nelson had seven tackles and an interception, Lane Farris had seven tackles and Robert Garlock had six tackles, 2.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
 
The Mountaineers return home for the next two weeks starting with Dixie State 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mountaineer Bowl as it's Western Colorado's Family Weekend.