GUNNISON, Colo --- The Western Colorado football team hosts its home and RMAC opener 1 p.m. Saturday as the Mountaineers take on South Dakota Mines at the Mountaineer Bowl.
THE MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THIS WEEK | 2019 SEASON STATS
Western Colorado is coming off a 38-13 loss to NCAA D-I FCS Idaho State on the road on Sept. 5 - a contest the Mountaineers were within striking distance in until the final 17 minutes when the Bengals outscored them 21-7 to pull away for the 25-point win.
While the Western defense allowed 500-plus yards, the Mountaineers did force a pair of turnovers in a
Zach Gomez interception returned 20 yards (setting up a field goal) and a 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown by
Taupule Asotau. They also had six tackles for loss including sacks by Gomez and
Will Lydle.
The Mountaineers on offense played four quarterbacks with two gettting the majority of the snaps in
Dylan Jacob (9-for-17 for 72 yards and an interception) and
Connor Desch (3-for-13 for 35 yards, 28 yards rushing).
Ty Leyba rushed for 32 yards to lead Western while
Deyvon Butler added 25 yards.
Elijah Gillespie led the team with four receptions for 38 yards while
Kai Emmsley had three catches for 29 yards.
On special teams,
Garrett Boyd averged 40.7 yards per punt with five of the nine going inside the 20 and one for 50-plus yards.
Chandler Davis went 2-for-3 in field goals with a 45 and a 46 yarder.
SOUTH DAKOTA MINES HEADING INTO THIS WEEK | 2019 SEASON STATS
The Hardrockers are coming off a 37-33 loss at home to Colorado Mesa in a contest that saw Mines take a 20-3 lead early in the second quarter, a 27-23 lead at the half and a 33-30 heading into the fourth before a Mavs touchdown pass with 9:28 remaining to give CMU a 37-33 lead. The Hardrockers drove down in the final minutes (including converting a 4th-and-18 with a hook-and-ladder play) with a potential game-winning drive, but were intercepted in the end zone with six second remaining to drop the opener. It was a game full of turnovers as the teams combined for nine (five for Mines, four for CMU).
Mines was outgained 525-417 in total offense, allowing 375 yards through the air and 150 yards in rushing. Spencer Zur went 21-for-38 for 239 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions while rushing for 22 yards and a score. Thomas Creese also saw time, going 3-for-10 for 39 yards. On the ground, Ahmad Lewis (5-11, 200 pounds) rushed for 107 yards on 26 carries (4.1 per carry). The Hardrockers spread the ball around through the air with six players with multiple catches with Carson Hunt lead the team in yardage (104 yards on four catches) and Collin Zur leading the team in catches (six receptions for 41 yards). Cole Peterson led the Hardrocker defense with 17 tackles.
COME TAILGATE AND JOIN THE MOUNTAINEER MARCH!
5B's will sponsor a barbeque at every home game! Look for the bright pink truck and music outside the wrestling room entrance of Paul Wright Gym starting at 10:30 a.m. They will be offering a sandwich and chips for $8 ($6 with your MAA card). Come meet the Western Colorado cheerleaders and Mad Jack at the tailgate and join them in the area around noon for a few cheers as they give away free T-shirts to the most enthusiastic students who want to be part of the new student fan section - The Crimson Crew. The pep rally will then lead people into the Mountaineer Bowl cheering along the march.
MountainBEER Zone
We once again will be hosting a beer garden at the top of Mountaineer Bowl. An fans 21-and-over can enjoy an adult beverage while cheering on the Mountaineers.
POSTGAME SOCIAL
Join us at
5B's after the game to celebrate and socialize! Present your ticket for 15 percent off your bill. Thanks to 5B's for all the support.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the fourth meeting between the Mountaineers and Hardrockers with Mines leading the series 2-1 after winning the last two games. Western fell to the Hardrockers last season 38-21 - a game the Mountaineers led 18-17 before being outscored 21-3 over the final 19 minutes. Western lost to the Hardrockers 35-16 in 2017 at home and defeated Mines on the road in 2016, 42-7.
AGAINST TEAMS FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
The Mountaineers are 4-7 against teams from South Dakota - including going 2-3 at home against teams from the Mount Rushmore state.
SEASON OPENERS
Western is now 32-62 all-time in season openers. The last season-opening win for the Mountaineers came in 2014 against Wayland Baptist, 38-21, on the road. Of their 32 season opening wins, the Mountaineers have finished those seasons with a winning record 19 times (59.4 percent) and won the conference title 12 times (37.5 percent).
AGAINST TEAMS FROM IDAHO
Against all teams from Idaho, the Mountaineers now have a 9-23-1 record. Western has played the College of Idaho and Southern Idaho twice, splitting both games against both teams, to go along with the 29 games against Idaho State. In the state of Idaho, the Mountaineers have a 3-17 record.
