GUNNISON, Colo.  No. 17 Western Colorado defeated Colorado Mesa 43-7 to improve to 5-0 on the year and 3-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.  
 
JUST THE FACTS 
Final Score: Western Colorado def. Colorado Mesa 43-7 
Records: Western Colorado 5-0, Colorado Mesa 2-3 
Location: Katy O.Rady Field, Gunnison, Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• It was all Western Colorado in the first half as Drew Nash got things going right out of the gate with a three-yard run for a touchdown. Daniel Parsek caught an eight-yard pass from Nash to give the Mountaineers a 14-0 lead. 

• Adam Tasei kicked a 36-yard field goal for the Mountaineers in the second quarter before Braeden Hogan ran in Western Colorado's third touchdown of the game. Tasei then kicked a 37-yard field goal to end the half.  

• Julius Carter then scored for the Mavericks, their lone touchdown of the day.  

• Andrew Montez started the fourth quarter with a touchdown for two yards after a complete pass from Nash. Blake Nieslanik then scored, followed by a safety from Will Geiman.  

FIELD NOTES 

• Drew Nash threw for 215 yards, while Andrew Montez collected 93 rushing yards for the Mountaineers. Braeden Hogan led the Mountaineers running game with 73 yards and one touchdown.  

• Special teams were a force to be reckoned with as Malcom Wesley had two blocked punts — one of which was returned 5 yards for a touchdown by Blake Nieslanik — and Andrew Arterburn had a 17-yard interception return.  

• Defensively, Kendall Lightfoot dominated with six tackles on the day while linemate Ricky Freymond added five including two of the defense's four sacks in the game. 

• The Mavericks used both of their quarterbacks in Gavin Herberg and Lesile Richardson who combined for 48 yards. Noah Sarria had 14 receiving yards over two receptions.  

UP NEXT 
The Mountaineers will travel to Rapid City, S.D., on Saturday, Oct. 7 to face South Dakoata Mines. Kickoff is slated for noon MT at O'Herra Stadium.