GUNNISON, Colo.  As many expected heading into the season, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title will be determined on Saturday (Oct. 29) when Western Colorado takes on first place Colorado School of Mines at 1 p.m.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• The Mountaineers are the lone team in the RMAC that have a chance at winning the title, since they are the only program with only one loss in conference play. Currently, Western is 5-1 in conference games resulting in them sitting in second place.
• The Mountaineers will need to defeat the Orediggers on Saturday (Oct. 29) and then beat Fort Lewis (0-6) and Adams State (2-4) if they want to share the RMAC title with Colorado School of Mines.
• In six RMAC games the Mountaineers have the fifth best offense scoring 30.5 points per game and have the fourth best defense giving up 25 points per game. Western's offense averages 366.8 yards per game, while the defense allows 400.5 yards per game.
• Josh Cummings is third in the RMAC in rushing yards with 477 yards, averaging 79.5 yards per game, and three touchdowns. Passing wise, Connor Desch has thrown for 1,185 yards (fifth best), and 13 touchdowns (fourth best). On the receiving end Malik White is seventh in receiving yards with 343 yards and five touchdowns (tied for third best).
• On the defensive side, Carson Mandrell is first in the RMAC in tackles with 54. Darrious Gaines has six pass break ups (fourth best) and Ethan Sanchez-Maxwell is tied for first in interceptions with three.

OREDIGGERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Colorado School of Mines is on a six-game winning streak entering Saturday's game against Western and needs to defeat the Mountaineers and win one more game after that, in order to win the RMAC title outright.
• The Orediggers have the best offense and defense in the RMAC, scoring 51.3 points per game and only giving up 12.8 points on defense. When it comes to yardage, the offense averages 535.8 yards per game and the defense only allows 244.2 yards per game.
• Running back Michael Zeman has rushed for 577 yards (first in RMAC) in RMAC games and scored a conference high 10 touchdowns.  John Matocha is also leading in passing yards and passing touchdowns, throwing for 1,887 yards and 21 touchdowns. Wide receiver Max McLeod is second in the RMAC with 642 receiving yards and is tied for second in touchdowns with seven on the season.
• On defense Jaden Williams is their leading tackler with 42 tackles and has also racked up two interceptions and one tackle for loss. Zach Hester has the most tackles for loss on the team with seven, while Jack Peterson has the most sacks on the team four, which is tied for second best. On the back end, Mason Black has capitalized when quarterbacks have thrown his way recording three interceptions (tied for first) this season.

ON THE FIELD NEXT
Western hits the road for the final time this season, taking on Fort Lewis College on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m.