GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado will take the field for the first time in 2023, Saturday (Sept. 2) against West Texas A&M at 1 p.m. on Katy O. Rady Field.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2022 Final Stats

• Western Colorado returns to the football field after a strong 2022 campaign going 7-4 overall and 7-2 in the RMAC.
• The Mountaineers return starting running backs Deyvon Butler and Breadon Hogan, who combined for 504 rushing yards last season. Cole Riters also returns to the Mountaineers offense after catching 24 passes for 348 yards, while recording three touchdowns in 2022.
• Ethan Sanchez-Maxwell leads the Mountaineers defensively after recording 51 tackles with three tackles for loss. Sanchez-Maxwell also recorded four interceptions last season. Ian Loomis returns to the inside linebacker position after registering 49 tackles last season.

BUFFS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2022 Final Stats

• Last season, West Texas finished 5-6 overall and 3-6 in the Lone Star Conference.
• Quarterback Kyle Brown will be back for his sophomore season coming off a 2022 season where he played in ten games for the Buffs. Noah Bogardus will be back at wide receiver after catching 51 passes for 837-yards with five touchdowns.
• West Texas' defense is led by Ty Dillon who registered 85 tackles last season with three interceptions, while Preston Steszewski led the Buffs in interceptions with five.

ON THE FIELD NEXT
The Mountaineers will host Texas Permian Basin for their next matchup on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.