GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado was 15 minutes away from securing an upset victory over Colorado School of Mines up 20-10 heading into the fourth quarter. However, the Orediggers scored 20 points in the fourth, to pull off a 30-20 comeback victory.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score:  Colorado School of Mines def. Western Colorado 30-20.
Records: Western Colorado 5-4 (5-2, RMAC), Colorado School of Mines 7-2 (7-0, RMAC).
Location: Katy O. Rady Field; Gunnison, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Orediggers got on the board first – after their drive stalled on Western's 10-yard line, resulting in them being forced to kick a 27-yard field goal which went through the uprights.
• In the beginning of the second quarter, Alec Fonseca tied the game 3-3, making a 21-yard field goal of after the Mountaineers drive stalled on Colorado School of Mines seven-yard line. With 1:03 left before halftime, Western Colorado put together a nine-play drive – that started on the Mountaineers 29-yard line – that was capped off with a four-yard touchdown pass from Connor Desch to Malik White.
• Things started off great for Western in the third quarter, thanks to Andrew Montez who caught an eight-yard hitch from Desch, and then took it 65-yards – while breaking three tackles on the way – for the touchdown. Four drives later, the Mountaineers unfortunately scored their final points of the game as Fonseca drilled a 47-yard field goal against the wind.
• From there it was all Orediggers. With 5:46 left in the third quarter, Colorado School of Mines put together a long 11-play drive that was finished off with a one-yard touchdown run. Down 10-20, the Orediggers trimmed the lead to 17-20 on a 26-yard touchdown pass.
• A costly turnover on Western's next drive following the touchdown, resulted in the Orediggers taking their first lead since the first quarter. With the ball on the Mountaineers 18-yard line, it took Colorado School of Mines three plays to score on a five-yard rushing touchdown.
• Two drives later the Orediggers put the final nail in the coffin, scoring on another three-yard rushing touchdown -after a 51-yard pass put them on Western's 12-yard line.

FIELD NOTES

• Desch finished the game with 243-yards passing (19-of-36) and two touchdowns. Josh Cummings was the leading rusher for the Mountaineers with 80-yards rushing in the game. At receiver, Montez had four receptions for a team high 125-yards receiving and one touchdown.
• On defense, Cy Shope led the team with 11 tackles and two sacks. Darrious Gaines, Andrew Arterburn and Tony Cass were great defending the pass each finishing the game with one interception apiece.
• Ricky Freymond and Mathysus Su'a made keys plays on special teams. Freymond blocking a field goal, while Su'a blocked a point after attempt.
• Fonseca finished the game two-of-two on field goals.

UP NEXT
Western Colorado will hit the road for their next game on Saturday (Nov. 5) against Fort Lewis College at 12 p.m.