GUNNISON, Colo. --- The Western Colorado football team put together a dominating performance in opening RMAC play with a 27-7 victory over South Dakota School of Mines on Saturday afternoon at Mountaineer Bowl.

The Mountaineers (1-1 overall, 1-0 RMAC) ran more than twice as many plays (94-46), maintained possession nearly three quarters of the game (43:05 compared to 16:55 for the Hardrockers), outgained Mines 434-177 and didn't allow an offensive touchdown (the Hardrockers only points came on a blocked field goal return for a touchdown).

It's also the first RMAC-opening win for the Mountaineers since beating New Mexico Highlands in 2006.

It was Western that fell behind Mines (0-2, 0-2) after a scoreless first quarter as the Hardrockers blocked a Mountaineer field goal attempt and returned it for a score to make it 7-0 with 10:42 left in the quarter.

The score remained that way until Western put a drive together later in the qaurter that was started by runs of 16, 11 and six yards by Ty Leyba to bring the Mountaineers to the Mines 21.Three plays later Josh Communigs made it around the edge for a 5-yard scored to tie the game 7-7 with 4:03 left in the quarter.

A quick three-and-out by the Hardrockers thanks to another strong defensive effort by the Mountaineers set up a go-ahead touchdown drive just before the half for Western. The Mountaineers went 71 yards on 11 plays capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Connor Desch to James Bryant with eight seconds left in the half to make it 14-7 at the break.

The Mountaineers would outscore Mines 13-0 in the second half thanks to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Desch to Zach Manchester in the third quarter and 28- and 40-yard field goals by Chandler Davis to make the final 27-7.

Western rushed for 294 yards on 65 attempts led by Leyba's 127 yards on 24 carries. Cummings finished with 53 yards and touchdown, Dyvon Butler had 53 yards on 13 carries while Malcom Wesley had 32 yards on eight carries.

Desch finished 15-for-29 for 154 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing for 15 yards. Bryant had a team-high five catches for 39 yards and a score while Kai Emmsley had three receptions for 44 yards, Manchester had three catches for 41 yards and Elijah Gillespie had two receptions for 29 yards.

Only having to face 46 plays, the Mountaineers didn't have as many opportunities to rack up high tackle totals as Lane Farris led the way with six tackles, Dominick Fletcher had five tackles and two pass breakups and Josh Nelson and Tim Mullin each had an interception and a pass breakup.

The Mountaineers hit the road next week as they take on Colorado Mesa 7 p.m. Saturday in Grand Junction.