GUNNISON, Colo. --- The Western Colorado football team left little doubt early on as the Mountaineers jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead and cruised to a 44-28 victory over Black Hills State on Saturday in Mountaineer Bowl.
 
The win moves Western Colorado to 6-1 overall, 5-1 in RMAC and will hopefully keep them ranked in the top 25.
 
The Mountaineers scored five touchdowns with four of those coming on the ground. Western Colorado's Josh Cummings and Deyvon Butler tore apart the Yellow Jackets defense as they combined for 388 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
 
Cummings led the team with 206 yards over 23 carries, averaging nine yards a carry and a long of 75 yards for a touchdown. Butler recorded 182 yards in 14 carries, averaging 13 yards a carry and a long of 70 yards for a touchdown. Butler was also the leading receiver with three catches for 61 yards.
 
On the first drive of the second half, Connor Desch found Malik White for a 23 yard touchdown to put the Mountaineers up 27-7. Desch completed the day 15 of 26 for 236 yards passing, with one passing touchdown and one interception.
 
The offensive line did a great job protecting the quarterback as the Yellow Jackets were unable to get a sack.
 
Overall, the Mountaineers racked up 636 yards of offense. As the defense held Black Hills State to only 392 yards and 28 points.
 
Darrious Gaines had eight tackles on the day leading the Mountaineers, as Wyatt Buhr earned six tackles with 1.5 for a loss. Will Lydle, Jack Anderson, Joey Dill and Malcom Wesley each recorded five tackles. Lydle led the defense with two tackles for a loss totaling six yards and 1.5 sacks for five yards. Jeremiah Nunnery also recorded two tackles for a loss, along with four tackles. Lane Farris, Ian Helwick, Dill and Anderson all recorded one sack.
 
The Mountaineers hit the road next week as they face South Dakota Mines at 12 p.m. Saturday in Rapid City, South Dakota.