GUNNISON, Colo. --- Western Colorado takes their first loss of the 2021 season as #5 Colorado School of Mines won 20-14 over the Mountaineers in overtime. It was a battle of the defenses and the Orediggers came up on top.
 
The Mountaineer defense put up an impressive seven sacks in Saturdays game, led by senior Will Lydle who recorded 2.5 sacks for a combined 14 yards. Wyatt Buhr recorded an impressive two sacks for four yards, as Lane Farris earned 1.5 sacks for three yards. Recording one sack for Western Colorado were Mountaineers Jack Anderson, Joey Dill, Dondre Baker, Carson Mandrell, and Jaden Armbrust.
 
This was Western Colorado's first overtime game since Sept. 22 of 2018 against Adams State University.
 
Saturday's contest was tied 7-7 at the half with both teams scoring touchdowns in the first quarter. Colorado School of Mines took the lead (14-7) in the third, forcing the Mountaineers to score a touchdown in the fourth to stay alive.
 
With a Josh Cummings four-yard rushing touchdown, the Mountaineers tied in 14-14. The Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on their first overtime possession, allowing the Orediggers to win with an overtime touchdown.  
 
The Mountaineer offense led by Connor Desch, performed well with 135 yards of rushing, 169 yards of passing, only one fumble and one interception.
 
Josh Cummings led the Mountaineers in rushing as he recorded 86 yards on the ground; he also had one reception for nine yards.
 
Leading Western Colorado in receiving yards was Mountaineer Cameron Colangelo with three receptions for 53 yards, averaging 17.66 yards a reception. Teammate Malik White was the second leading receiver with 42 receiving yards from his two receptions.
 
Desch kept the Orediggers on their toes as he targeted eight different receivers and managed to gain 36 rushing yards.
 
Next Saturday the Mountaineers will host New Mexico Highlands in Mountaineer Bowl for homecoming. The game will begin at 1 p.m. with a Mountaineer volleyball match following at 6 p.m.