GUNNISON, Colorado.  Western Colorado jumped on Chadron State early and never let up, resulting in them cruising to a 56-28 victory. With the win the Mountaineers improved to 2-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference competition.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score:  Western Colorado def. Chadron State 56-28.
Records: Western Colorado 2-2, Chadron State 0-4.
Location: Katy O. Rady Field, Gunnison, Colorado.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• On the Mountaineers first drive of the game they got on the board three-plays into the drive, as Connor Desch connected with Malik White for a 73-yard touchdown pass. Chadron State responded with a 12-play drive (Started on their 25-yard line) that ended with a one-yard rushing touchdown.
• With 6:15 left on the clock in the first quarter, Western put together another scoring drive – after Carson Mandrell forced a fumble (on Eagles 21), recovered by Dominick Fletcher. Desch completed a 5-yard pass to Nathan Meyer who took it the distance for a 21-yard touchdown.
• It was all Mountaineers in the second quarter. Three plays into Western's first drive of the second quarter, Josh Cummings ran through multiple Chadron State defenders on his way to a 14-yard rushing touchdown.
• Things continued to roll for the Mountaineers on their second drive in the quarter, thanks to Desch completing a 43-yard pass to Victory David – leading to Desch connecting with Kai Emmsley on the very next play for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
• Ethan Sanchez-Maxwell helped set up another scoring drive for Western, picking off a deflected ball giving the Mountaineers the ball on their 48-yard line. Western put together a seven-play drive that ended with Desch connecting once again with White for a 10-yard touchdown.
• Before the first half ended, Andrew Arterburn block a Chadron State punt (Recovered by Tim Mullin), which gave the Mountaineers the ball on the Eagles 35-yard line. Western capitalized on the turnover and scored on a Desch 12-yard touchdown pass to Cole Riters who mossed an Eagles defender.
• At halftime Western had a 42-7 lead.
• Chadron State tried to put together a comeback in the third quarter – scoring 14-points on a 37-yard and 4-yard touchdown pass. But, the Mountaineers were able to match one of their touchdowns to keep the momentum in their favor. After the Eagles first touchdown – Western capitalized on a muffed punt by Chadron State, leading to Deyvon Butler scoring on the first play of the drive on a 12-yard rushing touchdown.
• In the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers scored their final touchdown of the game on a four-play drive that resulted in Braeden Hogan scoring a 7-yard rushing touchdown. With the game already decided, the Eagles scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown.

FIELD NOTES

• Desch went 18-of-24 for the game for 265 yards and five touchdowns.
• In the backfield, Cummings had 64-yards on 10 carries for a touchdown. While Butler and Hogan each had a touchdown apiece.
• White was the leading receiver for the Mountaineers racking up 90-yards and two touchdowns.
• Defensively, Darrious Gaines led the way with eight tackles and two pass breakups. Sanchez-Maxwell had seven tackles and one interception.
• Mullin and Zach Wiley each had one sack in the game.   

UP NEXT
Western Colorado will hit the road for their next game on Saturday (Oct. 1) against Colorado Mesa University at 6 p.m.